The Salem Red Sox collected 12 hits, but stranded 12 runners on base and fell to the Frederick Keys Tuesday night at LewisGale Field, 6-4.
Red Sox (3-3) starting pitcher Dedgar Jimenez made his season debut and pitched well, but allowed a pair of Keys runs to score in the top of the third inning. The Keys (3-3) were able to successfully execute a double steal of second base and home, while a Cam Kneeland single brought home the second run of the inning.
Jimenez threw 4.0 innings, allowing just the two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out three. He would get a no decision as the Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning against Keys starter Mitch Horacek. Three runs came in to score thanks to a double off the wall by Jordan Betts, followed by a two-run triple by Mike Meyers.
Frederick battled back in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs against reliever Jamie Callahan to take a 5-3 lead. Callahan settled down after allowing the three runs to score with no outs to throw 3.0 innings in relief without allowing another tally.
The Keys got an insurance run in the eighth inning off of Austin Maddox, who was able to limit the damage and strand the bases loaded in the frame. Maddox remained in the game in the ninth inning, weaving a scoreless inning.
A Nick Longhi double got a short rally going in the bottom of the ninth, as he would score on a Danny Mars RBI single, but that was all the Sox could muster against Garrett Cortright. Mars had a great day at the plate for the Red Sox, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored, two walks and three stolen bases.
Callahan (0-1) was tagged with the loss for Salem, while Horacek (1-1) earned the win, snapping a streak of five consecutive losing decisions dating back to August 2015. The save went to Cortright, his second on the year.
The Red Sox complete the series with the Keys and the opening home stand with an 11:05 am contest Wednesday morning at LewisGale Field. Lefty Daniel McGrath (1-0, 4.50) goes for the Red Sox, the Keys will counter with John Means (0-0, 2.25). For tickets and more information call (540) 389-3333, or slide to www.salemsox.com/tickets.
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Chris Graham
