The Salem Red Sox took advantage of 10 hits and nine walks by the Carolina Mudcats pitching staff to win their fifth-straight game, 6-4.
The Red Sox (8-4) got the scoring kicked off early against Mudcats starter Ryan Lawlor, who issued back-to-back walks to Yoan Moncada and Mauricio Dubon to start the game. A Nick Longhi groundout scored Moncada to put the Sox up 1-0.
The Mudcats (6-6) got the run back in the bottom of the first against Matt Kent when Keith Curcio came home on a Jordan Edgerton sacrifice fly.
The tie was short-lived, however, as Salem regained the lead in the top of the second when Moncada singled home Danny Mars, but the Sox left the bases loaded. Moncada had a banner day for the Red Sox, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs scored, and an RBI. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, and the two swipes give him a minor league-leading 12 on the season.
Carolina tied the game at two in the bottom of the third when Dansby Swanson doubled home Curcio with a two-out, opposite-field knock.
In the top of the fifth, the Red Sox took the lead for a third and final time, scoring two runs off Mudcats reliever Zach Bird (2-1). Longhi plated Andrew Benintendi with a double to right-centerfield, and then scored two batters later on a Danny Mars single to make it 4-2.
Salem was able to add another tally in the top of the sixth, when Dubon brought Moncada home with a double, pushing the Sox’ advantage to 5-2.
The Mudcats struck back in the bottom of the sixth against Kent (1-0), scoring two runs on four consecutive hits to start the frame, ending Kent’s night. Taylor Grover entered from the bullpen to retire the side without a blemish to preserve the 5-4 lead.
Kent’s High-A debut went well, as he lasted 5+ innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, and issued just one free pass. Grover was great in relief, tossing 2.0 shutout innings, allowing just a single hit after being thrown into a high-leverage situation.
The Sox scored a run in the top of the eighth on an RBI infield single by Longhi to pad the lead. Longhi finished the night 2-for-5 with three RBIs on the game, taking over the team lead with nine RBIs on the season.
Austin Maddox worked scoreless stanzas in the eighth and ninth innings, to earn his third save of the season.
Salem continues the three-game series with the Carolina Mudcats on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm. The Red Sox will send Travis Lakins (1-1, 4.15) to the mound to make his third start of the season, while the Mudcats will counter with Matt Withrow (0-0, 0.00). Follow along with all the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network, with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:45 pm.
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Chris Graham
