The Salem Red Sox managed just four hits on Sunday afternoon in game four of the season opening series, falling to the Carolina Mudcats, 4-2, at Five County Stadium. The Red Sox were mowed down by Mudcats starter Steve Janas, who faced the minimum in six innings, allowing only a bunt single to Anuery Tavarez.
Salem starter Kevin McAvoy was impressive in his first High-A start, lasting five innings with just one run and four hits against him. McAvoy (0-1), who spent the entirety of 2014 with the Short Season-A Lowell Spinners, pitched past the third inning for the first time in his professional career after previously hurling with an innings limit. It was the fourth inning that felled him against the Mudcats, allowing a leadoff double to Jacob Schrader, who later scored on a groundout from Carlos Franco.
Carolina would never relinquish the lead, backed by the dominant Janas (1-0). The right-hander struck out six through his six innings, he did not issue a walk. Tavarez was thrown out heading for third base after a throwing error behind him on his bunt single had granted him an extra base.
The Mudcats extended their lead against German Taveras, who entered in relief of McAvoy to begin the sixth. Taveras lasted 1.1 innings, surrendering five hits and three earned runs. He walked two and fanned one in his first outing of the 2015 season.
Forrestt Allday scored both of the Red Sox runs, finishing 1-for-3 in his second start of the series. Allday doubled off of Britt Robertshaw to lead off the seventh, the first at-bat against a pitcher other than Janas. He later scored on a groundout off the bat of Oscar Tejeda.
Allday later worked a walk to lead off the ninth as the Sox threatened in the final frame. Against Blair Walters, Salem put two on with nobody out before Tyler Jones was summoned to close the game. Allday was plated by a Sam Travis sacrifice fly, but Jones would allow nothing further, shutting the door for his second save of the series.
The Red Sox fell to 1-3, dropping the opening series at the hands of the Mudcats, who improved to 3-1. The road trip continuestomorrow night in Myrtle Beach with the first of three against the Pelicans will begin at 7 p.m. Daniel McGrath gets the ball for Salem and is scheduled to be opposed by Jen-Ho Tseng. Fans can listen to the game on 1240 AM WGMN ESPN Roanoke, on salemsox.comor via the TuneIn Radio app.
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Chris Graham
