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CarL1 Salem Red Sox

Chiang's 9th Inning Homer Gives Winston Finale to Salem

May 24, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release


Winston-Salem, NC (May 24, 2009) - Losers of two straight and five of six, the Red Sox desperately needed somebody to step up. Trailing 4-3 heading to the ninth, Chih-Hsien Chiang did the honors, cracking a two-run homer that barely cleared the glove of leaping center-fielder Salvador Sanchez to give Salem their first lead of the game. Chiang's fourth round-tripper of the season snuck over the wall to make it 5-4, and appropriately, with two on and two out for the Dash in the last of the ninth, the game ended with a fly ball that landed in Chiang's possession in left field. For the first time this season, the Red Sox prevailed when trailing after eight innings, improving to 1-22 in such situations. In addition, the Sox squeaked back into first place, a half-game ahead of the Dash in the Carolina League's Southern Division.

Mike Jones collected three hits for the third time in 2009 to lead the Sox offensively, while Chiang's two base knocks, including the game-winning homer, were the difference in the contest. Will Vazquez also made his return to the lineup for the Sox, and stepping into the batters' box for the first time since April 25, came through with a huge two-run, two out single in the sixth inning that cut a three run deficit down to one and set the stage for Chiang's late-game heroics. Vazquez went 1-4 while playing a very solid third base for Salem in the victory, while Chiang looked as comfortable as he has all season in left field, recording seven putouts on the afternoon.

After Jose Capellan went five innings, allowing four runs on six hits, the Red Sox bullpen closed the door the rest of the way. Jason Rice tossed a pair of scoreless frames, paving the way for Josh Papelbon's easy eighth and Derrick Loop's ninth that earned Loop his sixth save of the season. Papelbon earned the W, improving to 3-1.

Salem was down 2-0 after Jimmy Gallagher drilled a two-run shot in the first inning off Capellan. It was Gallagher's second homer in as many days and give Winston-Salem their first early-inning lead of the series. But whereas Salem led early and trailed late on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was the reverse, with the Red Sox not taking their first advantage until the ninth inning. The Red Sox had many opportunities in the first half of the game, but stranded six baserunners over the first four innings, including the bases loaded in the fourth. Salem out-hit Winston-Salem 13-7 and they evened the season series at 3-3. The Red Sox and Dash, despite their proximity in the standings, are not scheduled to play again during the first half. The Red Sox will return to Wake Forest Baseball Park on July 6 for a four-game set.

Salem will have Memorial Day off before returning to action on Tuesday evening in Lynchburg, at which time the Sox will kick off a three-game set against the Hillcats. Red Sox righthander Seth Garrison is scheduled to go on Tuesday against Hillcats lefty Chi-Hung Cheng. The series will be a battle of division leaders, as the Hillcats, at 27-16, currently sport the top record in the Carolina League.

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Carolina League Stories from May 24, 2009


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