Salem Red Sox fall to Carolina, 5-2

The Salem Red Sox received 5.1 strong innings from the bullpen Friday night at LewisGale Field, but it wasn’t enough as the Sox suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Carolina Mudcats, 5-2.

Both starting pitchers were sharp early as Travis Lakins of the Red Sox and Ryan Lawlor of the Mudcats matched zeroes through the first three frames. In the fourth, Lakins (0-1) ran into some trouble, surrendering four runs on three hits before being removed in favor of Yankory Pimentel.

Lakins, who had only 3.0 professional innings before tonight, showed good stuff, but struggled at times with his command on the frigid night, walking three in 3.2 innings while also fanning three batters.

The Red Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth after Mauricio Dubon drew a one-out walk, then stole second base. He advanced to third on an Andrew Benintendi flyout then came in to score on an RBI single from Nick Longhi.

Longhi added an RBI double in the sixth inning, again driving in Dubon, which made it 4-2 Mudcats at the time. Longhi finished 2-for-4 with the double and 2 RBIs.

Pimentel pitched well in relief of Lakins, lasting 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit while registering three strikeouts. Jamie Callahan tossed 2.0 innings of one-hit relief in the seventh and eighth innings to keep the game close, while Austin Maddox allowed a single run to plate in the top of the ninth inning.

The Sox (1-1) mounted a challenge in the bottom of the eighth that was erased thanks to a swift double play turn by the Mudcats (1-1). Rafael Devers was able to draw a leadoff walk in the ninth inning, but was unable to score as Chase Johnson-Mullins closed the door.

Zack Bird (1-0) authored 1.2 innings of relief to earn the victory. Johnson-Mullins recorded his first save of the season with two scoreless frames to end the game.

The Red Sox return to action on Saturday night for game three of the series with the Mudcats starting at 6:05 pm. Jalen Beeks will toe the rubber for Salem against Carolina’s Max Povse. For tickets and more information call (540) 389-3333 or slide towww.salemsox.com/tickets.