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Salem rallies late, tops Dash, 4-2

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salem red soxThe Salem Red Sox pulled off one of their trademark late-inning comebacks to zoom past the Winston-Salem Dash Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark, 4-2.

The Red Sox (42-26) jumped on Dash starter Kelvis Valerio early – plating a run in the first inning. Mauricio Dubon singled to centerfield, and then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Brett Austin. Mike Meyers grounded out to third base to bring the runner home and give Salem a 1-0 lead.

Winston-Salem (28-41) got to Salem starter Trey Ball for a pair of runs in the second inning after Hunter Jones lined a single to left field with the bases loaded to put the Dash up 2-1.

Valerio, normally a reliever, got his bearings about him and finished 5.1 innings in a spot start, allowing just the one run on three hits. In this series, Dash starting pitchers have tossed 20.1 innings while allowing just one unearned run.

Ball (4-3) settled in as well, tying a career high with 7.0 innings pitched, allowing just the two runs on eight scattered hits, walking four and striking out four. The southpaw needed just 84 pitches to earn his second straight victory.

In the eighth inning against Dash reliever Connor Walsh, Jordan Procyshen singled to lead off the inning then advanced to second when Deiner Lopez’ sacrifice bunt attempt was booted by Gerson Montilla. Walsh (1-2) then walked Bryan Hudson to load the bases and Joseph Monge to force in a run. Dubon grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Lopez and put Salem back atop 3-2.

The Sox tacked on insurance tallies in the top of the ninth against Colin Kleven, as a Procyshen double drove home Danny Mars to extend the advantage to 4-2.

Yankory Pimentel relieved Ball, and shut the Dash down over the final two frames, striking out three and notching his third save of the campaign.

The Red Sox complete the first half by wrapping up the series with the Winston-Salem Dash Sunday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm. Salem will hand the ball to Matt Kent (6-3, 3.36) while Winston-Salem sends Thad Lowry (5-4, 3.82) to the bump. Follow along with the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network, with coverage beginning at 1:45 pm.

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