CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Salem Red Sox Game Notes

Published on June 29, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


The Salem Red Sox and Wilmington Blue Rocks play game two of a three game set at LewisGale Field this afternoon. First pitch is at 4:05.

Mookie Madness: It's a craze that began last July in Salem and has swept through the Red Sox organization all the way to Boston. Mook- ie Betts was called up from AAA Pawtucket to Boston yesterday, and is expected to make his major league debut tonight against the Yan- kees. Betts helped the Salem Sox to the 2013 Mills Cup Champion- ship, hitting .341 in 51 games. Betts pulled off one of the greatest streaks in minor league history, reaching base in 71 consecutive games from July '13 in Salem through May '14 in Portland. Mookie reached base safely in all 23 games he played with AAA Pawtucket. In 77 games with the Sea Dogs and Paw Sox, Betts hit .345 with eight homers, 70 runs, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Betts is the 5th ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization according to MLB.com. Betts will be the 28th player to make his major league debut that played with the Salem Sox since 2009.

In Need of Deep Starts: Justin Haley was excellent last night, allow- ing just two runs in six innings of work. This continues a somewhat expected, but nonetheless important trend of success in games with deep starts. The Sox are now 22-9 in games where starters go six innings or more. Conversely, Salem is just 15-32 this season when its starter goes less than six innings. Pat Light will look for his first six inning start tonight since June 2nd.

Looking for the Light Stuff: Speaking of Pat Light, the Sox right- hander looks to turn around his recent struggles tonight. Light is 0-2 with a 21.32 ERA in two second half starts. He surrendered 10 hits at both Winston-Salem on June 19th and at Potomac on June 24th. Pat has had success against the Blue Rocks this season however, throw- ing five solid innings of four hit, two run (one earned) ball back on May 6th, his third start in the Carolina League.

The End of a Difficult Stretch: The Salem Sox will play the final game of as tough a stretch of opposing starting pitchers that the Carolina League has to offer. The Sox faced seven game winner Shawn Morimando and now eight game winner Ryan Merritt for the Mudcats on Thursday and Friday, and Blue Rocks lefty Jonathan Dziedzic last night. Now the Sox will take on Christian Binford, and his sub-three season ERA and sub-two June ERA. Salem has actually had a good amount of success in this stretch, going 2-1 thus far, with Morimando getting a no-decision, Ryan Merrit picking up a win and Jonathan Dziedzic dropping last nights tilt. Combined, the four start- ers are 25-12 with a 2.44 ERA, allowing just 87 earned runs in 321 IP.

Witte's Shot: Jantzen Witte hit his first home run in the Carolina League last night in the first inning off Jonathan Dziedzic in the Sox 4-2 win. Witte's average in nine games with Salem may not jump off the page, at just .235. But Witte has been productive none-the-less. Jantzen has reached base in seven of his nine games, including get- ting a hit in six of nine. He's slugging .441, which if eligible, would be in the top 15 of the Carolina League. Witte was an all-star with Greenville in the first half before his promotion, hitting .330 with eight homers and 54 RBIs in 65 games.

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Carolina League Stories from June 29, 2014


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