Salem, Va. - The Salem Red Sox outlasted the Down East Wood Ducks in a pitcher's duel Wednesday, winning the opening game of a three-game series, 4-2
Salem, Va. - The Salem Red Sox outlasted the Down East Wood Ducks in a pitcher's duel Wednesday, winning the opening game of a three-game series, 4-2
Down East (16-11, 66-31) went just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and stranded eight men on base in the loss.
The Woodies got on the board almost immediately. On the third pitch of the ballgame, Bubba Thompson lifted his first Carolina League home run to left field to put the Wood Ducks ahead, 1-0.
It was the only run that Jhonathan Diaz would allow. He worked 5.1 innings, giving up one run on five hits. He walked four and struck out three.
The Red Sox (18-8, 43-50) responded quickly in the home first. Ryan Fitzgerald doubled to center with one out, and two batters later, Pedro Castellanos clubbed his second home run of the season to put Salem ahead, 2-1.
Likewise, that was the only offense Sal Mendez would allow. Mendez worked seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, he walked one and struck out sixth. He delivered his seventh quality outing in ten starts.
The Wood Ducks had a golden chance to tie in the fifth inning when Thompson, who reached base three times in the ballgame, worked a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error on the play. But despite getting a runner to third base with no outs, the Woodies left Thompson stranded to keep the Red Sox in the lead at 2-1.
Down East would draw even in the eighth inning. Sam Huff was hit by a pitch to begin the frame, and two batters later, Curtis Terry lined a single to left-center. Yanio Perez , who had a four-hit ballgame then ripped a double off the center field wall to put the Woodies up, 2-1 against Hunter Smith (win, 3-4).
Michael Matuella (loss, 3-2) came on for the ninth and struck out Nick Sciortino , but he reached on a passed ball on the play. Michael Osinski then pinch ran and moved to second on another passed ball by Huff, and came into score two batters later on a Jagger Rusconi RBI single. Rusconi made it to third on the play as the throw home from Thompson bounced past Huff at the plate. Victor Acosta then lined a two-out single to center to increase the lead to 4-2.
Andrew Schwaab (save, 7) came on for the ninth and retired the Woodies in order to close out the game.
The Woodies and Red Sox will play the middle game of the three-game series Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Dylan Thompson (2-6, 6.59) will make the start for the Red Sox, while the Wood Ducks have not yet named a starter for the contest. The broadcast will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 960AM The Bull, and online at 960thebull.com as well as on the MiLB First Pitch and TuneIn Radio Apps.
