CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Salem Sox vs. Hillcats - Game Notes - June 14, 2013

Published on June 14, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Mathematically Done: Despite an 8-5 record in their last 13 games, the Salem Sox were officially eliminated from the first-half Southern Division title chase on Thursday night, slipping to six and a half games back of Myrtle Beach with just five to play. It marks the 25th straight year that Salem baseball has failed to win a first half title. Following Thursday's rain-out, the Sox and Cats will play five games in three days to finish the half, none of which have first-half title implications after Potomac locked up the Northern Division crown on Thursday evening. In the Southern Division, Myrtle Beach leads Winston-Salem by two games with three left. Winston is at Wilmington this weekend, while Myrtle Beach is hosting Carolina.

Delivering a Dozen: With three hits and two RBI on Wednesday, Keury De La Cruz extended his hitting streak to 12 games, in which he is batting .477 (21-for-44)! He collected his 23rd double of the season on Wednesday night, giving him two more than the second-best doubles deliverer in the circuit. Since June 3, only Lynchburg's Elmer Reyes, who's hitting .514 (18-for-35) in his last ten games, has a better average in the league than De La Cruz. Across minor league baseball, only Max Muncy of the Stockton Ports in the California League has more RBI than De La Cruz since June 3. The Dominican outfielder is second on the team with 22 multi-hit games on the season, but last night was his first three-hit game of the season!

Settling In: Recently acquired first-baseman Stefan Welch was 2-for-14 in his first four games, but the Aussie infielder has heated up with three straight multi-hit nights. Welch has gone 6-for-10 in his last three contests, raising his average up to .333. Welch has been part of the Mets and Pirates organizations in the past, and he also brings extensive international experience, having competed in the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic for Australia. In the American offseason, Welch has played for his hometown Adelaide Bite of the Australian Baseball League. The lefthanded hitter has 50 career home runs in the minors, highlighted by his 16-homer season with St. Lucie in 2011.

Stroup's Consistency; Pena's Return: Kyle Stroup is poised to make his final start of the first half in game one. The righty from Illinois has been very solid in his last three starts, permitting just four earned runs over his last 19 innings with 10 strikeouts and three walks. Stroup has gone 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA against Lynchburg in two starts vs. the Hillcats. Meanwhile, Mickey Pena makes his return to the mound for the Salem Sox in game two tonight. Pena made three starts for Salem (including on Opening Day) before receiving a 50-game suspension from minor league baseball. He last pitched for Salem on April 16, dealing four innings of one-run ball against Potomac. Thursday will be his first start against Lynchburg.

It Only Takes One: Salem scored in the first inning on Wednesday, extending its streak to 84 straight games with at least one run. The Sox have not been shutout since August 12, 2012 at Wilmington. Salem is the only team in the CL to score at least one in every game so far in 2013.

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