The Salem Red Sox dispatched the Frederick Keys Saturday night at LewisGale Field, 2-1. The contest lasted only seven innings after a suspended game from Thursday was resumed prior to the start of the matchup.
After falling in the suspended game earlier in the day, the Red Sox (44-27, 1-1) got off to a fast start by plating a run in the second against Frederick starter Mitch Horacek. Jordan Betts drew a one-out walk before Jose Sermo doubled down the left field line in his first at bat with Salem to hand his new club a 1-0 lead.
The Keys (37-35, 1-1) evened the ledger in the fifth inning against Red Sox starter Daniel McGrath, when a two-out double from Erick Salcedo chased home Jomar Reyes to tie the game at one.
Salem wasted no time regaining the lead, when Rafael Devers plated Ben Moore with a single off Horacek (3-8). Wendell Rijo was thrown out at home trying to score on the play to limit the scoring to just a run, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
McGrath (2-3) lasted the full seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits, walking one and striking out five batters. The quality start was the Australian southpaw’s third of the season, and his first since June 4th against the Lynchburg Hillcats. The complete game was the second of McGrath’s career, and his first since May 27, 2014 while pitching for the Greenville Drive. It was, however, his first career complete game victory.
The Red Sox have now thrown three complete games this season, as McGrath joins fellow lefties Matt Kent and Jalen Beeks as having accomplished the feat.
The Salem Red Sox are back in action Sunday afternoon, completing the series with the Frederick Keys. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 pm. The Red Sox will send Trey Ball (4-3, 2.60) to the mound, while the Keys counter with Franderlin Romero (4-0, 3.63). McGrath will be signing his player poster for fans after the game while kids can run the bases following the contest. For tickets and more information, call (540) 389-3333 or slide to www.salemsox.com/tickets.
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