Salem Red Sox even series with Wilmington

The Salem Red Sox broke out the lumber to defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 5-3 Thursday night at LewisGale Field. The win forces a rubber game in the three-game series Friday night.

Salem (53-36, 10-10) kicked off the scoring early in the bottom of the first inning against Wilmington (34-56, 7-14) starter Zach Lovvorn. Joseph Monge doubled, Bryan Hudson walked, and then Rafael Devers doubled to plate both runners and give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Red Sox scored two more against Lovvorn (1-11) when Mike Meyers and Danny Mars led off the frame with back-to-back triples. Two batters later, David Sopilka lifted a sacrifice fly to score Mars and extend the advantage to 4-0. Mars wound up 2-for-4 with two triples, as the Sox collected four three-base hits. The four triples marked the fourth time in franchise that Salem has accomplished the feat.

The Blue Rocks broke through against Matt Kent in the top of the sixth inning, when two doubles, a single, and a sacrifice fly brought home three runs to close the gap to 4-3. Kent (8-4) bounced back from a loss in his last outing, giving up the three runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings.

Jamie Callahan entered and recorded the final out of the frame. Callahan tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two in a strong outing.

Salem answered back with a run in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Jacob Bodner. Mike Meyers walked to lead off the inning, and scored on a single by Sopilka to bloat the lead to 5-3. The backup catcher went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in his first game played in six days.

Simon Mercedes tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out two, to earn his second save of the season.

Four Red Sox batters finished with multiple hits, and the team collected six extra-base hits in total. Salem had three extra-base hits in its previous two games combined.

Salem completes the series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks Friday night at LewisGale Field. The Red Sox will send Travis Lakins (5-3, 5.57) to the mound, while the Blue Rocks roll with Corey Ray (5-2, 3.88). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. For tickets and more information, call (540) 389-3333, or slide to www.salemsox.com/tickets.