Unlikely hero Ryan Battaglia smacked a game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the ninth, capping Carolina’s improbable three-run rally that gave the Mudcats their first win at Five County Stadium in their last ten tries. Tyler Naquin and Francisco Lindor, both of whom contributed three-hit performances, crossed the plate to transform a 4-3 deficit to the Salem Red Sox into a 5-4 victory celebration. Just two outs away from a three-game series sweep, the Salem Sox were unable to close it out, with Carolina scoring all three runs with one away against Matty Ott to hand the Red Sox their sixth walk-off setback of the season.
Salem almost led wire-to-wire, taking a first inning lead and never trailing until the game’s conclusion. Henry Owens scattered eight hits in five innings, surrendering just one run with four strikeouts and no walks. He threw 59 of his 84 pitches for strikes, departing with Salem in front 4-1 after five. The Mudcats scored once off Noe Ramirez in the sixth before their big three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth.
On an 0-2 pitch, Zach MacPhee smoked a double into the right field corner to begin the climactic inning. Yhoxian Medina grounded out, but Naquin beat out an infield single to bring home MacPhee and give the Mudcats hope. Down by one, Lindor doubled to deep right, moving Naquin to third. Battaglia drilled a hard one-hop line drive at the left-fielder Matty Johnson, who fired back to the cut-off man, David Renfroe, who flung it past catcher Blake Swihart as Lindor, the trail runner, scored behind Naquin to win the game.
Sean Coyle enjoyed a resurgent offensive night, breaking out of a 1-for-37 skid with two hits, a walk, three stolen bases, and three runs scored. But unfortunately for Salem, the super performance went for naught. Keury De La Cruz and Brandon Jacobs also went 2-for-4 for Salem.
Following a 2-5 road trip and 14 of the last 17 games away from LewisGale Field, the Red Sox are ready and eager to return home on Friday night. Salem will host Frederick in a three-game set, with Kyle Stroup facing off against Zach Petersime in the series opener. First pitch is set for 7:05.
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Chris Graham
