Pickens Homer Gives Kinston a 5-2 Victory Over Salem
Published on August 9, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Kinston Indians News Release
A three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning by Kinston's Doug Pickens was the difference, as the Indians beat Salem 5-2 Monday night in Virginia. The clutch hit was a big boost to another fantastic pitching performance from the K-Tribe. With the win the Indians move to within three games of first place Salem.
The K-Tribe got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Off of Salem starting pitcher Michael Lee, Chun Chen began the inning with a single. After a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Bellows retired Chen, Abner Abreu popped out. With two-outs in the inning Juan Diaz singled. Nate Recknagle then stepped in and did the same, a base knock driving in Bellows to give Kinston a 1-0 lead. Chen would get it going again in the fourth inning when he led off with a base hit. After advancing to third base thanks to a couple of ground outs, Chen came home on a two-out hit by Diaz.
Kinston starting pitcher T.J. House was outstanding for his fourth straight outing, facing the minimum through four innings. In the sixth inning, Salem finally got to house with three hits including back-to-back RBI swings from Dan Butler and Oscar Tejeda to tie the score at two. House (5-8) picked up the win, giving up two runs on eight hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out one. House has now given up just three earned runs in his last four starts (three wins).
The Indians would grab the lead right back in the top of the seventh frame. With one-out in the inning Diaz delivered another single. Diaz tied a season high with a three hit performance, going 3-for-4. Recknagle then rolled a grounder to Salem shortstop Ryan Dent. Dent delivered an errant toss to second allowing both runners to reach safely. The Dent error proved costly and Kinston's Doug Pickens then stepped in and delivered a three-run home run over the big wall in left center field. The blast was Pickens sixth of the season and put Kinston up 5-2.
The K-Tribe bullpen would take it from there, as Matt Langwell came in for a perfect eighth inning and his Carolina League leading 12th hold of the season. Cory Burns picked up his CL leading 21st save of the season with a hitless ninth.
The K-Tribe takes on Salem for game two of the four game road series Tuesday night at 7:05 pm. Joe Gardner will be on the hill for Kinston.
Carolina League Stories from August 9, 2010
- Offense Struggles in Late Loss to Keys - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Abreu Comes Through in Clutch - Frederick Keys
- Cats Drop One, Win One in Woodbridge - Hill City Howlers
- Pickens' Dinger Sends Indians Past Sox 5-2 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Rally Rocks Strike Again - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Blue Rocks Nip Dash 5-4 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pickens Homer Gives Kinston a 5-2 Victory Over Salem - Kinston Indians
- K-Tribe Game Notes - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Moore Awards: Another CL Player of the Week for Tyler Moore - Potomac Nationals
- Garrett Mock to Start Today for Potomac - Potomac Nationals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
