Salem Walks Off Thanks to Late-Game Comebacks
Published on July 16, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
SALEM, VA - Will Middlebrooks hit an RBI infield single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth inning and Salem beat the Dash 7-6 on Friday night at Lewis-Gale Field. The Red Sox overcame a pair of three-run deficits, including one in the ninth inning to steal a victory from Winston-Salem.
The Dash (12-9, 55-36) took a 3-0 lead against Salem starter Stolmy Pimentel with an unearned run in the second inning and two in the fifth. Jordan Cheatham drove home Logan Johnson, who had reached second on a single and an error to give Winston-Salem the game's first run. Brandon Short hit an RBI sacrifice fly to bring home the Dash's second tally, and Kyle Shelton stole home on a delayed double steal to build Winston's initial three-run advantage.
After the Red Sox (10-11, 52-39) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth to get on the scoreboard, they tied the game with two more in the seventh. With Leroy Hunt pitching in relief of starter Nate Jones, Salem got the tying runs home with Mitch Dening's RBI groundout and a run-scoring double by Peter Hissey.
With the game tied heading into the ninth inning, Winston-Salem plated three in the top of the frame to take a 6-3 lead. The Dash loaded the bases with two outs against William Latimer with a single, an error, and a walk. Kyle Shelton followed with a bloop single down the right field line to score a pair and give Winston a two-run lead. Short brought home a third run with an RBI infield single. Drew Garcia grounded out to second base to end the inning with the bases loaded.
The Dash struggled to hold the three-run lead with a bullpen that has been decimated lately by promotions and injuries. Garrett Johnson started the ninth inning, coming off a scoreless, but shaky, eighth. He allowed a leadoff double to Jon Hee before getting Dening on a groundout. After he hit Hissey on a 1-2 pitch, Joe McEwing removed him from the game in favor of Charlie Burdie.
The right-hander, who struggled with his control in the series opener, continued to have difficulties locating the strike zone. He walked Oscar Tejeda on four pitches to load the bases with one out. Middlebrooks followed with an RBI fielder's choice to cut the Dash lead to 6-4. With Tim Federowicz at the plate, Burdie uncorked a wild pitch that scored Hissey from third. He then walked Federowicz to bring Dan Bulter to the plate with the tying run at second.
Butler delivered with a single to center, scoring Middlebrooks and tying the game at six. An intentional walk to Drew Hedman re-loaded the bases, but Burdie got Ryan Dent to ground out, sending the game to extras.
After Kyle Fernandes (4-2) pitched a perfect top of the tenth, Drew O'Neil came on for Winston to pitch the bottom of the inning. O'Neil, another pitcher that has struggled to throw strikes, walked the leadoff batter. Dening's sacrifice bunt moved pinch runner Luis Segovia to second base with one out. O'Neil then walked both Hissey and Tejeda to load the bases for Middlebrooks.
With the infield in, Middlebrooks hit a sharp grounder to shortstop Mike Richard, whose throw home sailed over the head of catcher Logan Johnson as Segovia scored the winning run. Middlebrooks was credited with an RBI infield single and the Red Sox completed an improbable comeback win over Winston-Salem. Salem trailed by two runs and was down to its final strike in the ninth inning, but scored four unanswered runs and won after never holding a lead until the game was over.
Fernandes picked up the win with his scoreless tenth inning, while O'Neil (0-1) was charged with the loss. The side-arming righty gave up one run on one hit and three walks and retired just one batter.
The walk-off win was the second by a Dash opponent this season. Both of Winston's walk-off defeats have come on singles to the shortstop with the infield drawn in. The other was at Myrtle Beach last month, as L.V. Ware won the game for the Pelicans in a similar situation.
The Dash looks to avoid a series defeat when the teams play game four of the series on Saturday night. LHP Joe Serafin (0-1, 6.75) makes his second start for Winston against RHP Miguel Gonzalez (2-2, 6.30). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and the audio broadcast begins at 5:45 on www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from July 16, 2010
- Kinston Falls in Extra Innings 8-7 to Potomac - Kinston Indians
- Win Comes in Eric Hosmer's Final Game With Blue Rocks - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Red Sox Rally Past Dash 7-6 in 10 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Salem Walks Off Thanks to Late-Game Comebacks - Winston-Salem Dash
- Julius Homers Twice in Keys 11-5 Loss - Frederick Keys
- Avery and Homers Lift Hillcats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Kayne Re-Joins Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
- Don't Miss Lonnie Chisenhall Bobblehead Night as K-Tribe Homestand Starts on Monday - Kinston Indians
- C Brian Peacock Placed on DL - Potomac Nationals
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