Salem Pitchers Puzzle Potomac 5-0 Friday

SALEM, VA (Friday, July 20, 2017) - The summer of Dedgar Jimenez rolled on Friday night, as he twirled a gem and the Salem Red Sox racked up a record third straight shutout on Friday in a 5-0 win over the Potomac Nationals at Haley Toyota Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
The Sox (14-8, 53-37) earned their third consecutive shutout for the first time in Salem history, and also broke the previous team record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched (27.0, July 28-31, 1990, against the Peninsula Pirates and Kinston Indians). Potomac (6-14, 39-51) only got four runners on base in the ballgame, with none advancing past second base. Jimenez (W, 10-3) became the first Carolina League pitcher to reach the 10-win plateau, setting a new career-best and running his own scoreless streak to 17.1 innings, a new best for any Salem pitcher in 2017.

Jimenez and Potomac starter Grant Borne (L, 4-4) were locked in a scoreless duel until Salem finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Leadoff man Chris Madera reached on an error by third baseman Bryan Mejia, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Rivera. Austin Rei thumped a double into the left-center field gap, plating Madera and ending the scoring drought. Potomac elected to intentionally walk Jose Sermo, but Tate Matheny laced a single to left, loading the bases. Spoon cracked a liner to right that rolled into the corner, scoring all three runners before the wild relay throw from second baseman Austin Davidson allowed Spoon himself to race home, making it a 5-0 lead. Daniel McGrath took it the rest of the way for Salem, allowing just one hit in two innings to complete the shutout.
Jimenez was nearly untouchable, allowing just two hits and a walk while whiffing six in seven frames for the win. McGrath worked around a single and fanned four in his two innings of action.
Salem will aim for the sweep Saturday night, with All-Star lefty Matthew Kent making the start for Salem against Potomac righty. First pitch from Haley Toyota Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark is at 6:05 p.m., and Ben Gellman has the call on the Red Sox Radio Network starting at 5:45 p.m.