David Chester launched a pair of solo homers, while Stefan Welch also went yard and Mickey Pena dealt seven strong innings to help the Sox surpass the Rocks 5-2 on Monday night at LewisGale Field. Salem improved to 9-1 in the opener of a homestand this season, picking up their third straight win overall to keep pace in the Southern Division playoff chase. Blake Swihart added two more hits for the Red Sox, his fourth straight multi-hit game that extended his hitting streak to nine games in a row.
Nobody had scored through two innings, and the Red Sox did not have a single baserunner until Chester walloped a 2-1 pitch over the left-field fence off John Lamb in the last of the third. The line drive homer was his 14th of the year, but his first since joining Salem from Low-A Greenville on July 24. Two innings later, Chester jacked another blast off Lamb, this one out to right-center field. It was his third career multi-homer game, but first above the GCL level. He also delivered multiple homers for the GCL Red Sox on July 12 and July 14 in 2011.
In between the two Chester jacks, Welch clobbered a solo shot of his own, a fourth-inning blast that upped his round-tripper total to six. In 50 games with Welch in the lineup, the Sox have gone 27-23, with the Aussie infielder batting .320 with 20 extra-base hits and 34 RBI.
Up 3-1 at the stretch, the Sox increased their lead on Henry Ramos’ line drive triple to deep center field. Matt Gedman and Cody Koback, each of whom had singled earlier, raced across the plate to give Ramos two RBI and put the Sox in front 5-1.
Pena scattered seven hits in seven innings, surrendering six singles, one double, and three walks. He escaped a bases loaded jam in the second and picked off Blue Rock runners at first in the third and sixth innings. With the win, Pena improved to 5-6 on the year, shrinking his ERA to 4.50.
Nate Striz emerged for the ninth to pick up his seventh save in eight tries. Nefi Ogando tossed the eighth, allowing one run in his first appearance for the Salem Sox since July 18.
Salem and Wilmington will reunite on Tuesday for a 7:05 first pitch. William Cuevas makes the start for the Sox opposite Rocks righthander Leonel Santiago.
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