Myrtle's Mejia trounces Avs

May 3, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release

Salem, VA-The Salem Avalanche, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, led early Saturday night against visiting Myrtle Beach but was overwhelmed by first baseman Ernesto Mejia in an 8-4 loss on Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. Mejia doubled, homered and knocked six runs in for Myrtle Beach (17-12) against Salem (13-15).

Salem nabbed the first lead of the game in the second against Myrtle starter Ryne Reynoso. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jhon Florentino slammed an 0-1 pitch off the wall in left-center for a three-run double.

Myrtle countered quickly, though, as Mejia served the first pitch he saw from Chris Salamida in the top of the third over the left-field fence to tie the game.

Salem reacted in the home half as Tim Torres doubled with one out and Mark Ori singled to create the fourth run of the game. Ori's base hit tied him for the league RBI lead at 20 with Lynchburg's Jim Negrych.

Myrtle Beach, the best home-run hitting team in the league, launched another in the fourth to recapture the lead. Travis Jones belted a 3-2 pitch with one on for the advantage. It was the third hit of four for the second baseman in the game.

Salem put two runners on in both the seventh and eighth but could not score against the Pelicans. Afterward, Myrtle got three more runs on a three-run double off of Mejia's bat to finish the scoring.

In the game, Jordan Parraz's 24-game on-base streak was stopped. He pinch-hit for Ryan Reed in the ninth and flied out to right. It is currently the longest string in the circuit. Mejia's six-RBI night was the second of the homestand for a Salem opponent. Beau Mills posted the other on Monday.

The Avs aim for the series split Sunday at 2:07 PM as right Corey Bass faces Myrtle Beach right-hander Gonzalo Lopez.

Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2008

• Frederick pounds Potomac early - Potomac Nationals
• Six-Run Second Inning Paces Keys in 10-6 Win - Frederick Keys
• Kinston Takes Game, Series from Lynchburg - Kinston Indians
• Myrtle's Mejia trounces Avs - Salem Red Sox
• Six Runs Batted In Ties Franchise Record - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Home run derby dooms Blue Rocks, 8-5 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• John Shelby III Blasts 3 HR's in Warthogs 8-5 Win Over Wilmington - Winston-Salem Dash
• Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
• Hillcats game notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
• VanAllen, Zinicola promoted to Harrisburg - Potomac Nationals
• Pelicans Begin Action-Packed Series At Home On May 5th - Myrtle Beach Pelicans

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