Salem Split Double Header Against Kannapolis

The Salem Red Sox were dealt with the highs and lows in their full Wednesday afternoon doubleheader as they started the series off with a 3-2 victory over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, only to fall 11-2, in the second game of the day.

After Mother Nature halted the series-opening matchup on Tuesday evening, both sides resumed their nine-inning contest on Wednesday.

While Salem was quick to jump on the scoreboard on Tuesday with three runs in the first two innings, thanks to Marcelo Mayer’s two-run shot, they couldn’t keep the offense in tune during the early afternoon portion of the game.

Thad Ward made his first minor league appearance in 2022 with a rehab start, and he looked better than ever with a perfect three innings pitched in addition to his four strikeouts.

The good news was that the relief staff were able to get out of significant jams in the later innings, to preserve the one-run victory. In the seventh inning, Felix Cepeda put himself into a pickle as he loaded up the bases with one out, but he regained his confidence and struck out back-to-back hitters to close the frame.

Later in the eighth, Cepeda once again fell behind as he walked the first three batters of the inning and the change was made for Luis Guerrero. Despite the Cannon Ballers scoring a run in the inning, the Red Sox were able to get a crucial double play and a force pop-up to hold the lead as well as close off the game and grab his fourth save of the season for Salem.

30 minutes after the Red Sox took the series opener, the two teams hit the diamond yet again, but this time Kannapolis had a different idea on how the latter half of the doubleheader was going to play out.

The Cannon Ballers were dominant on the offensive side of the ball in the middle innings of the game with a six-run third inning along with a pair of two-run frames in the fourth and fifth innings.

After a quick start out of the gate for Kannapolis in the first, Salem looked to keep up in the second inning as Yoberto Mejicano rocked his ninth double of the year to score Blaze Jordan and level the two sides at one apiece.

But that was the last that the Red Sox looked to be in the game.

Wikelman Gonzalez (3-3), who was handed the loss, walked the first three batters of the frame which opened the door for Luke Montz to make a pitching change with Blake Loubier. It didn’t get much better for the 2019 MLB Draft pick, as he allowed three straight base hits to shoot Kannapolis up to a five-run edge.

Later in the inning, Kannapolis catcher Victor Torres was able to make his presence felt in the lineup with a 2-RBI single to cap the six-run frame. It wasn’t the only time Torres made an impact in the game as he launched his fifth home run of the season later in the fifth inning.

Wilfred Veras had an excellent showing in the second game of the doubleheader with a 3-4 outing with 4 RBIs and 2 Runs while Andy Atwood went 2-2 with four on-base appearances and an RBI.

Although the Kannapolis offense stole the show in the second game of the day, Brooks Gosswein pitched a gem for the Cannon Ballers as he went 6.0 innings strong on the mound, allowing only five hits and two earned runs. Just short of a complete game, Rigo Fernandez was able to seal the deal in the seventh by striking out the side and closing the marks on the Kannapolis nine-run victory.

The Salem Red Sox and Kannapolis Cannon Ballers will meet for the third game of the series at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night at Salem Memorial Ballpark.

GAME 1:

First Pitch: 7:09 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12th

Time of Game: 1:54 (:40 delay)

Attendance: N/A

Venue: Salem Memorial Ballpark

GAME 2:

First Pitch: 2:56 p.m.

Time of Game: 2:04

Attendance: 1,352

Venue: Salem Memorial Ballpark