Sox Blanked 8-0 by Blue Rocks Thursday

WILMINGTON, DE (June 15, 2017) - The Salem Red Sox couldn't get their offense clicking and dropped their third consecutive game Thursday, losing an 8-0 rout to the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium.
The Sox (40-26) lost their third straight game at a critical time as they try to sew up a Northern Division crown in the first half. The Blue Rocks (36-31) picked up just their second win against Salem in 2017, though they have been eliminated in the first-half playoff race. Salem only mustered three hits and one walk against Blue Rocks starter Cristian Castillo (W, 4-3), and went in order in the ninth inning.

Wilmington opened the scoring in the bottom of the second against Salem starting pitcher Roniel Raudes (L, 2-3). Leadoff man Chris DeVito slashed a triple to right field, and Chase Vallot drew a walk. Roman Collins plated DeVito on an RBI groundout to short, and Kort Peterson doubled, moving Vallot to third. Wander Franco flew out to left, but Travis Maezes hit a double over Mike Meyers's head in left to score both runners. Nicky Lopez hit a sharp ground ball to third, and Michael Chavis made a terrific diving stop, but his throw to first was wild, and Maezes scored while Lopez reached second on the miscue. D.J. Burt then singled to right, giving Lopez enough time to score and make it a 5-0 lead for the Blue Rocks.
Wilmington put an exclamation point on the game in the bottom of the eighth against Sox reliever Marc Brakeman. Peterson started the inning by reaching on an error by Chad De La Guerra at shortstop, and a single by Wander Franco put runners at first and second before Maezes deposited a Brakeman fastball in the Wilmington bullpen in left to make it an 8-0 game.
Raudes was roughed up for five runs (four earned) on nine hits and three walks in 4.1 frames, fanning four. Austin Glorius fired 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk. Brakeman gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits in one inning against one strikeout.
The Sox will hope for better results Friday night, with righty Mike Shawaryn on the hill for Salem against Wilmington righty Scott Blewett. First pitch from Haley Toyota Field is set for 7:05 p.m., and Ben Gellman's pregame show starts at 6:45 on the Red Sox Radio Network.
 
The Carolina League All-Star Game returns to Salem on Tuesday, June 20 at Haley Toyota Field. As part of a celebration of 50 years of Carolina League baseball in the Roanoke Valley, the Red Sox will host a skills competition on Monday, June 19. The skills competition will take place at historic Kiwanis Field, the original home of Carolina League baseball in Salem. All 2017 Salem Red Sox season ticket holders will have tickets to the skills competition and the All-Star Classic at Haley Toyota Field included in their ticket package.