Red Sox split second-half start

Kinston, North Carolina (June 21, 2019) - The Salem Red Sox opened the second-half of Carolina League play with a double header split against the Down East Wood Ducks Friday night at Grainger Stadium.
GAME ONE
How it Happened
* Tanner Nishioka scored Salem first with an RBI single in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead.
* Down East knotted the contest in the bottom of the frame when Diosbel Arias drew a bases-loaded walk.
* The Woodies laced six consecutive singles in the fourth inning to push four runs and etch a 5-1 lead as all nine men saw the plate.
* Salem took a run back in the fifth frame, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Nishioka to cut the difference 5-2.
* Edgar Corcino delivered a sacrifice fly and Garrett Benge pushed an RBI double to fight within a run, 5-4, in the top of the sixth inning.
* The Wood Ducks had their second 9-batter inning in the bottom of the frame, scoring on back-to-back RBI singles and a sacrifice fly to re-extend the lead 8-4.
* Rio Gomez tossed 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with two strikeouts.
* The Red Sox attempted one last rally in the seventh inning. Victor Acosta knocked an RBI double, Ryan Fitzgerald ground out and Pedro Castellanos shot a sacrifice fly but efforts fell short and Down East held on for an 8-7 win.
Standout Sox
* Tanner Nishioka: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, R
* Garrett Benge: 2-for-4, RBI, R, 2B
* Victor Acosta: 2-for-5, RBI, R, 2B
* Rio Gomez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Noteworthy
* The contest initially began Thursday night before a rain delay in the top of the first inning with two outs. Play resumed to finish the frame before halting again two pitches into the bottom of the inning, burning Daniel Gonzalez's start and bringing in Dylan Thompson for a quasi-start.
GAME TWO
How it Happened
* Marcus Wilson blasted Salem onto the board with a lead-off home run in the second inning. Edgar Corcino scored after a groundout by Nick Sciortino to double the lead 2-0.
* Wilson extended the lead 3-0 on an RBI single in the third inning.
* Nick Lovullo's RBI single in the sixth gave Salem 4-0 insurance.
* Jhonathan Diaz delivered one of his best starts of the season, striking out eight Wood Ducks in six innings of work. The southpaw only allowed two hits.
* Down East nearly came back in the final frame. JP Martinez doubled to drive in the Woodie's first run of the tilt and a two-out single from Ryan Dorow cut Salem's lead 4-3 before Andrew Schwaab came in, grabbing a strikeout to end the ballgame with a save.
Standout Sox
* Jhonathan Diaz: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, W (3-6)
* Marcus Wilson: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR, SB
* Nick Lovullo: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B

What's Next
Salem Red Sox at Down East Wood Ducks Saturday, June 22, 2019. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.
RHP Bryan Mata vs. LHP Jake Latz
Listen: SalemSox.com, TuneIn Radio, ESPN Blacksburg WKEX 1430 AM/94.1 FM, WGMN 1240 AM/93.3 FM
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].