CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Five Straight One-Run Losses for Salem

Published on July 31, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Wilmington, DE (July 31, 2009) - Clint Robinson's deep line drive was fair by two or three feet and cleared the wall by less than that, but the pivotal two-out solo homer broke a two-all draw in the bottom of the sixth inning and paved the way for Wilmington's 3-2 victory over Salem on Friday night. Wilmington wins its seventh straight game while handing the Red Sox their seventh straight loss, the last five of which have all been by one run.

Salem was dealt a blow before the first pitch was thrown, losing scheduled starter Bryan Price as part of the trade-deadline hoopla. Price was moved along with Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone to Cleveland in exchange for Victor Martinez. Without Price, Dave McKae was thrust into his first starting situation since June 6. Although he only had a few hours to mentally prepare, McKae more than held his own, yielding just one earned run (and another unearned tally) over five strong innings. McKae walked none and struck out four, using a refined command of the strike zone to hold the Blue Rocks offense down.

Salem's offense totaled ten hits in the ballgame, but none of the knocks went for extra-bases. Save for single tallies in the first and third innings, the Sox were unable to deliver a clutch hit against a quartet of Wilmington pitchers. Michael Montgomery tossed four and a third innings for the Rocks, yielding an RBI groundout to Mike Jones and a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to Tim Federowicz in the third. Montgomery finished with five strikeouts and two walks and received a no-decision.

Clint Robinson finished 3-3 with two RBI to lead the Blue Rocks offense. He singled to drive in Wilmington's first run in the last of the fourth, then scored on Zach Borowiak's throwing error allowed Nick Van Stratten to reach safely and tie the game at two. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Robinson belted a game-changing solo shot down the right field line to give Wilmington a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Jon Hee finished 3-4 and Borowiak and Daniel Nava each compiled multiple hits, but Salem stranded nine runners aboard and have dropped two straight games in which they've out-hit their opponent. Kris Negron went 1-4 to extend his hitting streak to ten games, but Negron struck out against Brandon Sisk to begin the top of the ninth. Sisk proceeded to strike out the side, whiffing both Che-Hsuan Lin and Borowiak to end it.

Salem throws Eammon Portice on Saturday in a 6:05 tilt against Wilmington righthander Eduardo Paulino. At 17-17 since the break, the Red Sox will need a win to avoid falling below .500 for the first time in the second half.

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Carolina League Stories from July 31, 2009


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