Red Sox drop heart breaker to Blue Rocks 3-2

Salem strikes out record-high 19, Rusconi homers

Jagger Rusconi connected for his first home run of the season Tuesday night at Haley Toyota Field. (Troy Wisneski / Rebekah Mohrmann)

May 7, 2019

SALEM, Virginia (May 7, 2019) - Salem hurlers broke a single-game record Tuesday night at Haley Toyota Field, striking out 19 Blue Rocks, but Wilmington rallied in the 9th to drop the Red Sox 3-2.How it Happened* Jarren Duran led-off thie first inning with a double, coming around to score

SALEM, Virginia (May 7, 2019) - Salem hurlers broke a single-game record Tuesday night at Haley Toyota Field, striking out 19 Blue Rocks, but Wilmington rallied in the 9th to drop the Red Sox 3-2.

How it Happened
* Jarren Duran led-off thie first inning with a double, coming around to score with an RBI single by Pedro Castellanos for an early 1-0 lead.
* Jagger Rusconi drilled the first Salem home run at Haley Toyota Field of the season with a single-shot to left field to double the lead 2-0 after 2 innings.
* Enmanuel DeJesus exited the game early but the southpaw posted 9 strikeouts through 4 2/3 innings of work, a season high.
* Wilmington answered in the 4th inning, pushing two runs across after 4 base knocks to tie the game 2-2.
* Eduard Bazardo delivered perfect relief. The righty tossed 2 1/3 of strikeout-only ball to hold the contest even.
* Hunter Smith continued the strikeout-fest until a 2-out double in the 9th scratched a Wilmington run for a late 3-2 lead.
* Deiner Lopez reached third base on a fielding error in the bottom of the frame but the Red Sox couldn't overcome reliever Marcelo Martinez who recorded all three final outs with strikeouts.

Standout Sox
Enmanuel DeJesus: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (2019 high)
Eduard Bazardo: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Jagger Rusconi: 1-for-4, RBI, R, HR (1st)
Pedro Castellanos: 2-for-4, RBI
Noteworthy
The Red Sox blasted Wilmington's highest strikouts per game (17) with a total 19 whiffs tonight.
The game time of 2:35 is the fastest this season.
What's Next
Salem Red Sox vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM EST.
RHP Kutter Crawford vs. LHP Daniel Lynch
Listen: SalemSox.com, TuneIn Radio, ESPN Blacksburg WKEX 1430 AM/94.1 FM, ESPN Roanoke WGMN 1240 AM/93.3 FM
Watch: MiLB TV
The Salem Red Sox are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and call Haley Toyota Field in Salem, Virginia home. The team was founded in 1968 and purchased by Fenway Sports Management in December of 2007. For more information on the Salem Red Sox, please visit SalemRedSox.com or contact Melanie Newman at [email protected]