CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Sox Slug Past Mudcats 3-0 in Nightcap

Published on August 4, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


ZEBULON, NC - The Salem Red Sox rode a big blast from Jerry Downs and fantastic efforts from hurlers Darwinzon Hernandez and Daniel Gonzalez to victory Saturday night, taking a 3-0 win over the Carolina Mudcats in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Five County Stadium.

The Sox (19-22, 51-58) rebounded after suffering a walk-off loss in Game 1 of the twinbill, and set up a rubber match Sunday afternoon. Carolina (20-19, 54-55) got the tying run aboard in the fourth inning but failed to convert, and never reached base again.

Neither team scored until Salem broke the seal in the top of the fourth against Carolina starter Jorge Ortega (L, 0-1). Brett Netzer shredded a deep fly off the wall in right for a leadoff triple, and C.J. Chatham hit a skyscraper to left for a sacrifice fly to plate Netzer, giving Salem a 1-0 lead.

Hernandez (ND) was mowing down Carolina hitters with ease until the fifth inning, when he displayed serious discomfort after a pitch and departed unexpectedly. Gonzalez (W, 8-6) entered in a high-stakes situation: a full count with a runner on second and one away. The righty took care of business, freezing Nathan Rodriguez for a called third strike and inducing a pop-out from Nick Roscetti to end the inning.

The Sox added some breathing room in the top of the sixth inning against Mudcats reliever Cody Beckman, who walked leadoff man Tyler Hill before getting Netzer to pop out and Chatham to strike out. However, Downs blasted a missile over the wall in right for a two-run dinger to give Salem their final 3-0 margin.

Hernandez fired 4.1 outstanding innings, allowing just three hits and fanning nine batters. Gonzalez was flawless in 2.2 frames, striking out four and earning the win.

The Sox will try to take the rubber match against the Mudcats Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Five County Stadium is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and the pregame show with Ben Gellman and Suzie Cool begins at 1:45 p.m. on the Red Sox broadcast network.

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