LYNCHBURG, VA (May 28, 2017) - Salem suffered its third one-run loss in as many days, falling 9-8 to Lynchburg at City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.The Hillcats (28-20) took a lead they would not relinquish in the bottom of the second inning against Red Sox right-hander Jordan Weems (5-2), who
LYNCHBURG, VA (May 28, 2017) - Salem suffered its third one-run loss in as many days, falling 9-8 to Lynchburg at City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Hillcats (28-20) took a lead they would not relinquish in the bottom of the second inning against Red Sox right-hander Jordan Weems (5-2), who was making his first start of the season.
Facing a 3-2 deficit, Anthony Miller led off the frame for Lynchburg with a double and scored on Daniel Salters' two-bagger. Following a walk to Ka'ai Tom, Sicnarf Loopstok doubled down the left field line, chasing Salters home. Connor Marabell's sacrifice fly brought in Tom for a 5-3 advantage.
Salem (30-20) attempted to rally in the eighth inning against reliever Jared Robinson. Trailing 9-6, Mike Meyers and Jhon Nunez delivered back-to-back singles. A walk to Jordan Betts loaded the bases. With two outs, Bryan Hudson's grounder was mishandled by shortstop Willi Castro, allowing a pair of runs to score for a 9-8 margin.
The Red Sox had one last chance in the ninth inning, but had to wait out Mother Nature to make their comeback bid. A 31-minute rain delay brought the tarp on the field before Billy Strode closed the game for his first save of the year.
Salem opened the scoring in the first inning against Hillcats' starter Shao-Ching Chiang (7-2). Hudson drew a leadoff walk, Chad De La Guerra singled and Michael Chavis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Josh Ockimey came through with a two-run single before Meyers recorded an infield-hit, scoring Chavis for a 3-0 edge. Ockimey now leads the Carolina League with 43 RBI.
Lynchburg responded in the bottom of the first against Weems. Tom walked and Loopstok singled, then each moved up a base on a wild pitch. Another wild offering from Weems allowed Tom to hustle home. Yonathan Mendoza followed with a single to right, scoring Loopstok to trim the deficit to 3-2.
After Chiang retired 11 straight batters, the Red Sox tallied a run in the fifth inning. Nick Lovullo led off the frame with a walk. Hudson's single set up De La Guerra's sacrifice bunt, pushing the runners to second and third. Chavis' sacrifice fly brought home Lovullo, cutting the Hillcats' lead to 5-4.
Lynchburg answered right back in the fifth against reliever Mitchell Osnowitz. Castro singled and Jodd Carter crushed a two-run homer to left for his team-leading fifth of the season, giving the Hillcats a 7-4 cushion.
Salem went deep in the top of the sixth against right-hander Paul Hendrix. Trenton Kemp opened the inning with a double, then Meyers slugged his ninth long-ball of the year to make it a 7-6 game. Meyers finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI.
The Hillcats tacked on some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth against right-hander Marc Brakeman, who was making his High-A debut. Marabell and Mendoza walked, with both coming home on wild pitches to pad the home team's lead to 9-6.
With the loss, Salem's Northern Division lead over Lynchburg has slipped to one game in the standings. The in-state rivals are scheduled to meet five more times before the All-Star Break.
The Red Sox will try to salvage the final game of the series on Memorial Day. Salem is scheduled to send left-hander Daniel McGrath (0-4, 7.46 ERA) to the mound, while Lynchburg will start righty Matt Esparza (3-3, 3.26 ERA). First pitch for the Monday afternoon contest is slated for 2:00 pm, with Salem Red Sox radio coverage beginning at 1:45 on salemsox.com.
