SALEM, VA (Thursday, August 24, 2017) - The Salem Red Sox picked up their second straight walk-off victory Thursday night, riding a Jeremy Rivera walk-off homer to a 6-5 victory over the Potomac Nationals at Haley Toyota Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark.The Sox (31-29, 71-57) earned a series sweep of
SALEM, VA (Thursday, August 24, 2017) - The Salem Red Sox picked up their second straight walk-off victory Thursday night, riding a Jeremy Rivera walk-off homer to a 6-5 victory over the Potomac Nationals at Haley Toyota Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
The Sox (31-29, 71-57) earned a series sweep of the Nationals for the first time since May 1-4, 2015, and kept their momentum going as they drive for a playoff berth in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. Potomac (26-32, 59-69) led early on and rallied to even things up against Salem, but fell victim to a one-run loss for the third straight night. Salem posted consecutive walk-off victories for the second time in 2017, having pulled off the feat on April 18 and 19 against the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Potomac opened the scoring right from the get-go against Salem starter Kyle Hart. Daniel Johnson jumped on the second pitch of the game and blasted it to right for a solo homer. It was the first time an opponent had hit a homer to lead off a game against the Sox since Charcer Burks of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans did it on July 31, 2016 off Anyelo Leclerc. The homer made it 1-0 in favor of Potomac.
The Nats added on in the top of the third inning. Jack Sundberg drew a one-out walk, and moved up to second on a single by Austin Davidson. David Masters doubled to plate Sundberg, and Reetz brought home Davidson with a ground-out to the right side to run the lead to 3-0.
Salem burst ahead in the bottom of the third against Potomac starting pitcher Taylor Guilbeau. Mike Meyers and Rivera each collected one-out singles to put runners on first and second. Conrad Gregor singled to center to score Meyers, though Rivera was retired at third on the play. The Sox then began a deluge of doubles, with Jose Sermo, Jordan Betts, Tate Matheny and Victor Acosta each contributing consecutive RBI two-baggers. Austin Rei fanned to end the frame, but the Sox had made their mark, scoring five runs to take a 5-3 lead.
The Nats edged closer in the top of the fifth inning. Davidson singled with two away, and Masters doubled to right, scoring Davidson to make it a 5-4 ballgame. Potomac drew level in the top of the seventh against Salem reliever Harrison Cooney (BS, 1). Johnson drew a leadoff walk, and Sundberg made it aboard on a fielder's choice, with Johnson retired at second. Sundberg stole second, and came home on a two-out single by Masters to even it up at 5-5.
That was where it stood until the bottom of the ninth, as Gilberto Mendez (L, 3-4) came on for the Nats. He got Meyers to ground out to first, but Rivera launched a 1-0 fastball to right, sending it over the wall for the walk-off solo homer and touching off a celebration for the Sox.
Hart took a no-decision, surrendering four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six in five innings. Cooney gave up a run on one hit and two walks in his two innings, whiffing three. Daniel McGrath (W, 4-8) picked up the win with two shutout innings, striking out two, allowing three hits and picking off one runner (his 13th victim of the season).
The Sox will open a critical three-game set against the Wilmington Blue Rocks Friday night. Nicaraguan righty Roniel Raudes will make the start for Salem against Wilmington lefty Cristian Castillo. First pitch from Haley Toyota Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark is at 7:05 p.m., and Ben Gellman's pregame show starts at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN Roanoke, ESPN Blacksburg, and on the Red Sox Radio Network online.
