SALEM, VA (Wednesday, July 11) - The Salem Red Sox let an early lead slip through their fingers Wednesday night, but rallied to tie the game in the seventh and got a timely single from Mike Osinski to score a 5-4 walkoff victory over the Winston-Salem Dash at Haley Toyota
SALEM, VA (Wednesday, July 11) - The Salem Red Sox let an early lead slip through their fingers Wednesday night, but rallied to tie the game in the seventh and got a timely single from Mike Osinski to score a 5-4 walkoff victory over the Winston-Salem Dash at Haley Toyota Field.
Salem (12-8, 44-44) earned their sixth win in their last seven games, and moved into a tie for first place with the Lynchburg Hillcats, who fell 2-1 to the Potomac Nationals. The Dash (13-7, 54-36) went 1-10 with runners in scoring position, and gave up the winning run on a hit against a pitcher who hadn't surrendered any hits to the Sox all season.
The Sox got the scoring going in the bottom of the second against Winston-Salem starter Lincoln Henzman (ND), who fanned the first two batters of the inning but allowed Jerry Downs to lace a single up the middle with two away. Trenton Kemp took advantage, smashing an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run dinger to put the Sox in front 2-0.
Winston-Salem responded in the top of the third against Salem starting pitcher Jake Thompson (ND), who plunked Zach Remillard to open the frame. Luis González dropped a bunt to the left side, and Bobby Dalbec's throw to first was wild, advancing the runners to second and third on the single and error. Laz Rivera bounced into an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Remillard and trimming the margin to 2-1.
The Sox answered in the bottom of the inning. Deiner Lopez worked a leadoff walk, and advanced to second base on a single by Tyler Hill. Brett Netzer bounced into a 1-6-3 double play, but C.J. Chatham punched a single through the middle, scoring Lopez and running the lead to 3-1.
The Dash surged ahead in the top of the fifth frame. Yeyson Yrizarri hammered a leadoff double to left, and Remillard worked a walk from Thompson to put runners at first and second. Gonzalez doubled the runners home, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rivera before Blake Rutherford plated Gonzalez with a ground-out to give the Dash a 4-3 lead.
After Drew Hasler held them in check in the fourth and fifth, Salem evened the score in the bottom of the seventh against Cameron Seitzer (BS, 1). Lopez led off with a bunt single, and swiped second base. Hill singled into left, and Lopez raced home to tie the game. After Netzer fanned, Chatham singled Hill to second, and Dalbec ripped a single into left, but Hill was cut down trying to score on the hit, and the teams left the inning tied 4-4.
Harrison Cooney (W, 1-0) held the Dash in check during the eighth and ninth innings, and the Sox made their climactic move in the ninth against Mike Morrison (L, 4-3). Hill earned a leadoff walk, but was retired when Netzer bounced into a 1-6 fielder's choice. Chatham drew a walk of his own, putting runners on first and second for the slugging Dalbec, who worked the count full but struck out. That brought up Osinski, who lined the first pitch he saw into left field, sending Netzer sprinting full-tilt around third. Remillard fired home, but Netzer was able to beat the throw to the plate for the winning run.
Thompson took a no-decision, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks while recording two strikeouts. Algenis Martinez dealt two shutout frames of relief, with one hit against four strikeouts. Cooney earned the win for Salem, allowing one hit and one walk while whiffing two.
The Sox will look for the series win Thursday night, with righty Tanner Houck taking the bump for Salem against Dash southpaw John Parke. First pitch at Haley Toyota Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and the pregame show with Ben Gellman and Suzie Cool begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Red Sox broadcast network.
