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Pelicans top Salem 1-0 in rain-interrupted affair

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salem red soxSearching for more ninth-inning heroics after a walk-off home run three games ago, Brandon Jacobs launched a fly ball over Myrtle Beach centerfielder Jake Skole’s head that hit off the fence. As the Pelicans executed their relay, Salem manager Billy McMillon waved Stefan Welch home. The Sox third baseman was attempting to score from first base with one out. The relay throw was well placed, Welch slid in right as it arrived, and he was called out by home plate umpire Jorge Teran. The ump could have easily ruled in favor of either team; a replay would have been needed to determine the true correct call.

But unfortunately for Salem, it had to live with Teran’s decision. The Sox couldn’t rally further, as Blake Swihart stuck out to end the game with Jacobs on third. Salem was shut out for only the second time this season.

A one hour, 47 minute rain delay halted the action early, driving both starters from the game. Kyle Stroup allowed one run in one inning of work for the Red Sox. Myrtle Beach starter Jerad Eckhoff gave up no runs in one and two thirds innings.

After some light drizzle, the rain suddenly picked up in the top of the second, with Salem’s Cody Koback nursing a 1-2 count. The umpires were forced to freeze the action in the middle of Koback’s at-bat. From 7:31 pm to 9:18 pm, the teams and fans waited.

Once the field was deemed playable, Koback’s bat resumed against a new pitcher, Francisco Mendoza. The Pelicans righty struck Koback out, and went on to strike out four additional Red Sox in three and one third innings of scoreless work.

Collecting only four hits, Salem hardly threatened Myrtle Beach pitching until the ninth, when Welch walked, and the dramatic play at the plate ensued.

In the bottom of the first, a similarly close play occurred, with Salem likewise on the wrong end. Henry Ramos came up firing from right field on a Trever Adams single and rifled his throw into Swihart’s mitt at the dish. The Salem catcher reached back to tag Patrick Cantwell, but Teran decided that Swihart didn’t apply the tag in time, and issued a “safe” call. Cantwell scored the game’s only run.

After Stroup left due to the long wait, Red Sox relievers Kyle Kraus and Matty Ott combined to throw seven scoreless innings.

With the nonexistent post-rain delay offense, the teams concluded the game after exactly two hours of action (which remarkably only exceeded the rain delay by 13 minutes).

Salem left fielder Keury De La Cruz snapped his 27-game on-base streak by going 0-for-4. Jacobs led the Sox with a 2-for-4 outing.

The Red Sox and Pelicans will meet once more Wednesday night as Salem attempts to finally win a game in Myrtle Beach; the Sox have started the season 0-6 on the road against the Pelicans. Salem’s William Cuevas will face Victor Payano on the hill at 7:05 pm.

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