Salem Red Sox earn series split with Wilmington

The Salem Red Sox slashed three triples as part of an 11-hit attack in a 6-5 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks Sunday at Frawley Stadium.

For the second straight night, the Red Sox (40-23) got a great effort from their starting pitcher, as Trey Ball recorded a nice bounce back outing. The lefty stymied the Blue Rocks (21-39) bats in his 5.1 shutout innings of work, allowing only four hits and striking out three while walking two.

Salem bats were silenced by Wilmington starter Matt Tenuta in the first four innings, but in the top of the fifth, they broke through. Joseph Monge led the inning off with a single, stole second and scored on a Yoan Moncada RBI single.

In the sixth, the Red Sox smeared Tenuta (3-4) for a trio of runs. Mauricio Dubon walked to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a balk. Nick Longhi drew a walk as well, and Danny Mars brought both runners home with a triple to right-centerfield. Mars scored on a Jordan Betts sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 Salem.

Salem tacked on an insurance run in the seventh against reliever Luis Rico when Dubon singled and scored on a Rafael Devers triple.

German Taveras relieved Ball and got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the sixth. He allowed a solo home run to Chad Johnson in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 5-1, but completed his day without further incidents.

In the top of the eighth, Mars led off with his second triple of the game, then Betts drove him home with a single up the middle to make it 6-1. Mars finished the day 2-for-4 with two triples, two runs scored and two RBI.

Bobby Poyner yielded a run to the Blue Rocks in the bottom of the eighth and three in the ninth, but hung on to close out the 6-5 victory.

Ball (3-3) got the win, continuing his mastery of the Blue Rocks. He now has twirled 12.1 scoreless frames against Wilmington this season.

With the win and a Myrtle Beach loss, the Red Sox’ magic number to clinch the first-half division crown remains falls to one. Salem has not won a first-half championship since 1988.

The Red Sox return home with a chance to clinch against the Potomac Nationals at LewisGale Field Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for7:05 pm. Salem will hand the ball to Matt Kent (5-3, 3.57), while Potomac counters with Dakota Bacus (0-2, 4.82). For tickets and more information call (540) 389-3333 or slide to www.salemsox.com/tickets.