Pitching Lifts Warthogs Past Salem 2-1 in Afternoon Tilt
July 23, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem Warthogs were one out away from blanking Salem, but still found solace in a 2-1 win over the late charging Avalanche on Wednesday afternoon at Ernie Shore Field. The Warthogs have taken two of three in this four-game series while improving their record to a Carolina League best 21-10 in one-run contests.
Winston-Salem broke up the pitchers duel with a two-out rally in the fifth inning against Sergio Severino. Freddie Thon began the threat with a two-out single and Greg Paiml followed with a walk to keep the inning alive. Pinch-hitter Francisco Hernandez slapped a single off the left field wall that scored Thon. Paiml was also waved home on the play but the relay throw from short left field gunned him down at the plate for the final out of the inning.
The Warthogs manufactured a run in the seventh inning against Salem reliever Joel Santo. John Shelby III hit a towering pop up on the infield that was lost in the sun and fell to the grass. On the play, Shelby III hustled out of the box and ended up on second with a double. He stole third base and scored on a wild pitch to give the Warthogs a 2-0 lead.
The second Warthogs run would prove critical as Salem made a final charge in the ninth inning against Henry Mabee. Collin Delome singled with one out and reached second base when shortstop Paiml was ruled to have missed the bag on what would have been a game-ending double play. Instead, Jimmy Van Ostrand kept the inning alive with an RBI double to trim the Warthogs lead to one. But Mabee got Tim Torres to fly out to end the game and preserve the win.
Warthogs starting pitcher Matt Long (5-9) was stellar in holding Salem to two hits in five shutout innings while striking out seven to earn the win. Ricky Brooks came out of the bullpen and tossed three perfect innings of relief while striking out three for Winston-Salem. Mabee worked the ninth to collect his first save of the season. Severino was solid in five innings while holding the Warthogs to a run on three hits, but suffered the tough-luck loss.
These two teams will conclude their four-game series on Thursday night at Ernie Shore Field. The Warthogs will send RHP John Ely (3-11, 5.51) to the mound, while the Avalanche will counter with LHP Douglas Arguello (7-3, 2.94). The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from July 23, 2008
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