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CarL1 Salem Red Sox

Early lead holds for Avalanche

August 26, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Three Salem runs in the first three innings were enough to hold off the Potomac Nationals 4-2 Tuesday night at Pfitzner Stadium, sending the Nats to their fourth loss in five games. Erick Abreu outlasted Jeff Mandel for the win as both pitchers tossed seven innings.

Mandel may remember tonight somewhat bitterly considering the two runs scored in the first inning were unearned. Darryl Lawhorn mishandled Jhon Florentino's routine groundball to second base to open the frame, and Mark Ori walked. Both men ultimately scored on two-out RBI base hits from Tim Torres and Jimmy Van Ostrand for a 2-0 score. Van Ostrand has plagued the P-Nats all year with 22 RBI against them.

Salem added another run in the top of the third to extend the lead to 3-0. Collin DeLome led off with a double and came around to score when Koby Clemens smacked a single to center field.

Mandel (6-5) pitched well over his seven innings allowing four runs on seven hits but did absorb the loss. The right-hander has tossed at least seven frames in two consecutive starts and at least six in his five starts.

Contrarily, the Nationals battled unsuccessfully against Abreu (7-6). In four out of Abreu's seven innings, Potomac put the leadoff batter on base but could not always capitalize. The P-Nats dug into the three-run hole in the bottom of the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Matt Rogelstad singled, Dee Brown walked, and Francisco Plasencia also singled, presenting the opportunity for Michael Burgess, who hit a sacrifice fly. Stephen King was well on his way to also driving in a run when he hit a sharp ground ball to third, but the third baseman Florentino made a diving stop to start a 5-4-3 inning-ending double play, forcing Potomac to settle for the one run.

Orlando Rosales' RBI single after another Lawhorn error plated another Avalanche run pushing the lead back up to three in the seventh. Michael Burgess would answer right back in the bottom half with a monster solo home run, his sixth of the season to cap the scoring at 4-2.

Jack Spradlin relieved Mandel and looked impressive over his two innings allowing just one hit. Sean Walker sent the Nationals down in order in the ninth for his third save of the season.

The loss dropped the Nationals record to 1-4 on the current home stand. Game three of the four-game set with Salem is tomorrow night at Pfitzner Stadium. Right-hander Luis Atilano (5-1, 2.03) is slated to start for the Nationals opposite Chad Wagler (4-4, 3.83) from the Avalanche. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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