CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Salem Red Sox Game Notes

Published on May 9, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


One night after demolishing the Mudcats by 16 runs, the Salem Sox hope to stay hot in the second game of a four-game set at LewisGale Field... First pitch at 7:05...

Grand Thursday: Salem demolished Carolina by the margin of four grand slams in the series opener, setting a LewisGale Field record by winning by 16 runs in the 18-2 laugher. The Red Sox offense had mustered just 13 runs total in the previous six games before erupting for 18 on Thursday, collecting 16 hits and nine walks. The contest included Salem's second grand slam of the season, with Carson Blair crushing a 3-2 pitch in the first inning to give the Sox an early 5-0 edge. Salem's other grand slam came on Opening Day in Myrtle Beach, when Ryan Dent walloped a slam in the third inning of Salem's 10-3 triumph over the Pelicans. While Dent's grand slam was the first of his career, Blair delivered his second career slam on Thursday. His first occurred in his first ever game as a pro, as an 18 year, on August 24, 2008 in the Gulf Coast League. Blair's six RBIs on Thursday represented a new career best.

Catching Fire: Carson Blair was not the only catcher to deliver a noteworthy performance on Thursday. While Blair excelled as Salem's DH, starting backstop Jayson Hernandez collected three hits for the second time in his last three games. Hernandez has gone 6-for-12 in his last three games, raising his average from .189 to .265. The Rutgers-alum has hit .385 (10-for-26) in seven home games so far in 2014, but has struggled on the road, batting .130 (3-for-23).

Superior in the Second: Salem scored seven runs in the second inning on Thursday, continuing a season-long trend of dominating in the game's second frame. In 32 games, the Red Sox have scored 34 runs and only allowed seven in the second inning. The +27 differential is far and way the top mark in any inning on the season.

Two at a Time: Heading into Friday night, the Carolina League doubles leaders features three Salem Sox at the top. Ryan Dent is #1 in the circuit with 12 doubles, while Kevin Heller and Jonathan Roof each have 11 doubles on the year. Salem has 73 doubles in 32 games, more than any other team in the league. The Sox also lead the league with 16 triples.

Rediscovering Diaz: In his first four starts of the 2014 season, Luis Diaz allowed only two earned runs and collected a 1.00 ERA. Looking back further, Diaz compiled a 0.92 ERA in his first seven Carolina League starts, dating back to last August and September. But in his last two outings, the righty from Venezuela has allowed 10 earned runs in 9.1 innings, a 9.64 ERA. The 22-year-old will make his seventh start of 2014 and his 10th career Carolina League start tonight.

The Streak Continues: With one hit on Thursday night, Mookie Betts extended his ridiculous consecutive games on-base streak to an unbelievable 65 in a row. He's reached base in all 30 games this season for the Sea Dogs, and the 2013 Carolina League champion reached in the final 35 games last year for the Salem Sox, including the playoffs. In these 65 games between Salem and Portland, Betts is hitting .406 (103-for-254). In 27 games with the Sea Dogs, Betts is hitting .394 (50-for-127) with 16 extra-base hits, 14 walks, 15 steals, and only 10 strikeouts.

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2014


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