Avalanche drenches Frederick bullpen
May 26, 2007 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Salem Stampede News Release
Salem, VA-The Salem Avalanche, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, used a seven-run two-inning span to swallow the Frederick Keys 11-4 Saturday night on Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. The Avs have now nabbed six straight wins to climb within two and a half games of the first-place Kinston Indians in the Carolina League's Southern Division.
The Avalanche took the first lead in the game for the fourth straight time against the Keys in the series. In the first inning, Tommy Manzella singled with one out and reached third on an error. With Eli Iorg at the plate, rain showered the field and the game was halted as Iorg looked at a 3-1 count. The game resumed 32 minutes later when starter Brandon Erbe unleashed a wild pitch that scored Manzella.
Salem carried a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning when Frederick got to righty Sergio Perez. The first three batters reached against the former second-round pick and Evan Englebrook entered in relief. He struck Blake Davis out, but a wild pitch brought Mark Fleisher home. Kennard Jones followed with an RBI single and Pete Maestrales capped the scoring with an RBI groundout. The 4-3 edge was Frederick's first lead of the series.
In the home half, though, the Avs recaptured the lead. Orlando Rosales, Mark Ori and Ryan Reed provided RBI hits back-to-back-to-back to send reliever Zach Clark from the game with the score 6-4. Josh Potter induced a double play to clear the bases but walked Jose Lopez with two aside. Billy Hart followed with an RBI triple, his second three-bagger of the year.
In the sixth inning, Mitch Einertson approached with the bases loaded and two down. He skewered a 1-0 pitch into the left-center field gap to score all three runners and hand the Avs a 10-4. He's now notched 13 RBI with the bases loaded this season. His four RBI tied a career best he set on May 9th against Winston-Salem.
All told, Frederick's relief staff allowed eight earned runs in six innings and a third. Evan Englebrook earned the win for the Avs, his first Carolina League victory since August 29th of 2006.
Salem aims for its seventh-straight win Sunday at 2:07 against Frederick.. Lefty Chris Salamida faces righty Chorye Spoone.
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International Basketball League Stories from May 26, 2007
- Avalanche drenches Frederick bullpen - Salem Stampede
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