Salem Red Sox make it two in a row over Lynchburg

The Salem Red Sox scored three times in the top of the fourth to break the scoreless stalemate, with those runs proving to be the difference in a 7-4 triumph over Lynchburg on Saturday night at City Stadium. Both teams scored twice in the sixth and twice in the eighth, with the lead fluctuating between three and five, but the Sox led throughout en route to their second straight win in the series. Mike Augliera tossed five and a third strong innings to earn his second victory of the year, while Henry Ramos led the Red Sox with three hits and two RBI.

Salem’s first two rallies were sparked by the solid performances from the heart of the order, as the 2-3-4 hitters all finished with multiple hits. On his 22^nd birthday, Garin Cecchini went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. Meanwhile, Brandon Jacobs delivered a single in the fourth and a double in the sixth, both of which drove in runs for the Sox. Deven Marrero also finished with multiple hits and two runs scored, stealing a bag too.

The Red Sox managed nothing against Lynchburg starter Ryan Weber through the first three innings, as the Hillcats righty retired the first nine batters he faced. But Felix Sanchez dropped down a bunt single to begin the fourth, beginning a rally. Two hits, two errors, and one sacrifice fly later, the Sox were up 3-0.

Augliera’s steady pitching made the lead stand up, and the Sox added a pair in the sixth, knocking Weber out of the game with two outs in the inning. Charged with five runs (three earned) in five and two-thirds, Weber suffered the loss, dropping to 2-1 on the year.

On the flipside, Augliera improved to 2-0, allowing just two runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one. Three of the five hits he allowed were infield singles.

Lynchburg scored twice in the last of the sixth to knock the Salem starter out, but Noe Ramirez held the Cats at bay through the end of the seventh. In the top of the eighth, back-to-back RBI doubles from Henry Ramos and Jose Garcia made it 7-2, while the Hillcats retaliated with a pair of runs off Nate Striz in the bottom of the frame. With a three-run lead into the ninth, Striz recorded the final three outs to preserve the victory.

Salem will look to sweep the abbreviated three-game series from Lynchburg on Sunday afternoon, with the first pitch slated for 2:05. William Cuevas will take the mound for the Sox opposite David Peterson for the Cats.