CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Home Opener to Feature Big Leaguer on the Mound

Published on April 12, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Lynchburg, VA (April 12, 2012) - The Salem Red Sox are poised to begin their 2012 home schedule at LewisGale Field on Friday, April 13, and Boston Red Sox lefthander Rich Hill will start Salem's home opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Texas Rangers). Hill, a 32-year-old native of South Boston, underwent Tommy John surgery on June 9, 2011 in Pensacola, FL, and the seven-year major league veteran ascends to the Carolina League after pitching in two South Atlantic League games for the Greenville Drive.

Hill pitched in nine games for Boston in 2011, surrendering just three hits over eight scoreless innings out of the bullpen before sustaining the elbow injury that necessitated surgery, which was performed by the acclaimed sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 draft by the Cubs out of the University of Michigan, Hill made his major league debut on June 15, 2005 and has appeared in the majors every year since. In 2007, he made 32 starts for the Cubs, finishing 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA, leading all National League lefthanders with 183 strikeouts. He signed with the Red Sox organization on June 30, 2010 and has made 15 total appearances for Boston, pitching 12 innings and not allowing a single run.

Hill is tentatively scheduled to start Friday's contest and pitch two innings against the Pelicans. It will be just his second ever appearance in the Carolina League, with the other having occurred on April 24, 2009, when he pitched three innings for the Frederick Keys will rehabbing in the Orioles organization.

The Salem Sox play the Lynchburg Hillcats on the road tonight to complete their six-game, season-opening road trip. Friday's ballgame against Myrtle Beach kicks off a six-game homestand for the Salem Sox, with numerous giveaways lined up for fans throughout the weekend and beyond.

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Carolina League Stories from April 12, 2012


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