For the second time in three days, the Salem Red Sox scored a walk-off victory over the Potomac Nationals in the bottom of the 11th inning, winning 1-0 Tuesday night at LewisGale Field. It was the fifth walk-off win for Salem on the season.
The game was dominated by pitching, as Matt Kent tossed his best game of the season for the Red Sox (56-38, 13-12). Kent allowed only three hits in 8.0 shutout innings, striking out eight and walking two, including one intentionally.
The southpaw set new career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts in a game, and became the first Salem pitcher since Teddy Stankiewicz on May 25, 2015 to complete 8.0 innings. Kent picked off two runners in the game, and allowed multiple batters to reach base in only two innings. Potomac (49-43, 15-9) had just three at-bats with runners in scoring position against Kent.
Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde matched zeroes with Kent through his 6.0 innings of work, striking out five and walking only one while allowing five hits. Two of the hits were by Reed Gragnani, who finished 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.
In the bottom of the seventh, Fedde’s night was done and RC Orlan was summoned from the bullpen and immediately walked Danny Mars, Jordan Betts and Bryan Hudson. The only out he recorded was when Mars was called out attempting to steal second base.
Neil Holland replaced Orlan and coaxed flyouts from David Sopilka and Deiner Lopez to end the threat.
Potomac mounted a threat against Kent in the top of the eighth, when Alec Keller walked to lead off the inning, then Drew Vettleson reached on an error when it was ruled that Lopez did not touch second base on a potential double play turn. A fly ball from Jake Lowery moved the runners to second and third, and an intentional walk to Dale Carey loaded the bases. Austin Davidson then bounced into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.
Jamie Callahan (4-3) replaced Kent in the ninth inning and fired off a 1-2-3 frame, continuing the string of superb pitching. He ended up authoring three scoreless frames in relief, allowing just one hit. Salem was unable to score in the bottom half of the ninth, and the game was destined for extras for the second time in the series.
In the bottom of the 11th against Gilberto Mendez (2-2), Rafael Devers doubled and promptly scored on a Nick Longhi double as the Red Sox walked off on Potomac, 1-0.
The Red Sox enjoy an off day Wednesday before hitting the road to take on the Frederick Keys at NYMEO Field Thursdaynight. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm. Salem will send Travis Lakins (6-3, 5.27), while Frederick counters with Mitch Horacek (4-9, 5.34). Follow along with all the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network, with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:45 pm.
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