It had been a tough start to the month of May for Salem Red Sox starter Travis Lakins, but the second-year pro fired one of his best starts of the season in a 3-1 win over the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium on Tuesday night.
Lakins (5-2) consistently pounded the strike zone in his six innings of work, authoring 67 of his 84 pitches for strikes. The righthander did not walk a batter for the first time all year and struck out six while scattering four hits. The Nationals (22-20) only run against Lakins came on a Grant DeBruin double in the last of the fifth. Nonetheless, Lakins was able to collect his second career quality start.
The Red Sox (31-14) provided enough support to give Lakins the victory. Mauricio Dubon scored the first run of the game for Salem in the first inning. After tripling with one out, Dubon scampered home when Mike Meyers struck out and the put out had to be completed at first. Dubon beat the relay back from first to put Salem up 1-0.
After DeBruin tied the game in the fifth, Salem came right back to take the lead in the sixth. A pair of walks put runners at first and second for Danny Mars, who doubled to left-center, scoring Dubon. Rafael Devers followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing Salem’s advantage to 3-1.
Lakins gave way to Ben Taylor in the seventh inning and Taylor continued the domination on the mound. The righthander earned his second save of the season, striking out five in three spotless innings.
Luis Reyes (3-3) suffered the loss for Potomac, allowing three runs on five hits in 5.1 innings. He walked three and struck out five before exiting in the sixth inning.
Salem will look to win the series on Wednesday night at 7:05 pm. Jalen Beeks (4-1, 3.10) will toe the rubber for the Red Sox against Phillips Valdez (4-2, 4.31) for the Nationals. Follow along with all the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network. Coverage with the Pre-game Show driven by Haley Toyota begins at 6:45 pm.
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Chris Graham
