CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Graham Stays Perfect as Hillcats Prevail 5-3

Published on May 28, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Salem, VA (May 28, 2012) - The Salem Sox encountered a quick turnaround with a Sunday night road game followed by a Memorial Day matinee at home, a challenge that was magnified by the presence of Lynchburg righthander J.R. Graham. The undefeated hurler held the Red Sox scoreless through the first six innings and improved to 6-0 on the season in the Hillcats' 5-3 victory on Monday afternoon at LewisGale Field. Lynchburg pounded Salem starter Ryan Pressly early with some timely hitting, scoring all five runs with two outs over the first three innings.

The Hillcats opened the scoring in the top of the first, with Adam Milligan pummeling a line drive single to drive in Nick Ahmed. One frame later, Chris Garcia singled with nobody out, David Rohm doubled with one out to move Garcia to third, and Matt Lipka smashed a two-out single to drive in both runners, surging the Hillcats to a 3-0 lead.

Pressly fought back and retired the first two batters in the third, but Milligan drilled a two-out single and on an 0-2 pitch, Edward Salcedo clubbed a two-run bomb to left, stretching the Hillcats' advantage to 5-zip. The home run was Salcedo's sixth of the season and proved to be the difference when all was said and done.

Graham overpowered Red Sox hitters for most of his outing, permitting just two baserunners in the first six innings. In the last of the seventh, Matty Johnson drew a leadoff walk and Ryan Kalish singled to right, moving Johnson to third. After Kalish successfully stole second, Travis Shaw's sacrifice fly to left broke up the shutout, while Xander Bogaerts' ensuing grounder scored Kalish to bring the Sox within three at 5-2.

In the ninth inning, Hillcats closer Juan Jaime hit Shaw with two outs, and Bogaerts' followed by pounding an RBI double off the right-field wall to make it 5-3. Representing the potential tying run, Christian Vazquez lined out to right to end the ballgame.

Graham allowed two runs on three hits over six and two-thirds to pick up the victory, while Pressly surrendered five runs on nine hits over five innings, falling to 4-2 with the loss. Despite allowing one run in the ninth, Jaime earned his ninth save of the season.

Salem will send Matt Barnes to the mound on Tuesday as the Sox seek to even the four-game, two-city series at one game apiece. Lynchburg will counter with Aaron Northcraft, and the first pitch is slated for 7:05.

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