Couch Brilliant in Salem's 5-4 Victory

Salem, VA (July 31, 2012) - Keith Couch followed up last Wednesday's nine-inning complete game by tossing six spectacular scoreless innings on Tuesday evening in Woodbridge, leading the Salem Sox to a 5-4 win over the Potomac Nationals. The Red Sox led 5-0 before the Nats scored in each of the last three innings, but Andrew Jones struck out David Freitas for the final out, stranding the tying run at second and the winning run at first in the last of the ninth. Christian Vazquez led the Salem offense with three hits, including a homer, while Lucas LeBlanc added two doubles in Salem's slim win.

Couch dazzled in his 81-pitch outing, dealing 56 strikes and allowing just three hits. He struck out seven, did not walk anybody, and never allowed a National to advance past second base during his six innings on the hill. Couch earned his eighth win to level his record at 8-8, but the victory was in doubt late in the contest.

After Couch departed, Pete Ruiz struggled in his inning and a third on the mound. Ruiz entered with a 5-0 lead, but the Nationals scored once in the seventh and two more in the eighth. With the tying runs aboard, Jones entered and set down two National in a row to send the game to the ninth.

Potomac delivered consecutive singles to begin the ninth, but Jones recorded two outs with a strikeout and a 6-4 fielder's choice. Ricky Hague delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to one, but Jones punched out Freitas to finish the game, earning his third save of the season.

Salem broke through offensively against Nationals starter Matt Grace in the third inning, beginning with Vazquez' opposite field homer to lead off the inning. His seventh shot of the year gave the Sox a 1-0 lead, and the bats were just getting started. After Lucas LeBlanc doubled and Felix Sanchez walked, Heiker Meneses ripped a one-out RBI single into left, and Travis Shaw smacked an RBI ground-out to give the Sox a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, Salem added two more runs, all with two out. Vazquez singled to start the rally, while LeBlanc cracked an RBI double to right-center to give the Sox a 4-0 edge. Shannon Wilkerson followed with a single to center, bringing home LeBlanc, and making it 5-0. The Nationals outhit the Red Sox 12-8, but Salem staved off Potomac's late-game surge.

Salem and Potomac reunite on Wednesday at Pfitzner Stadium, with Brandon Workman set to pitch against Alex Meyer. First pitch is slated for 7:05.