Salem Red Sox score three in the ninth, win 7-6

Down to their final strike on multiple occasions, the Salem Red Sox delivered an improbable come-from-behind victory to their home fans at LewisGale Field on Sunday evening, scoring three times with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Myrtle Beach 7-6.

With Salem down 6-4, Sean Coyle kept the Sox alive with a two-out, two-strike double that scored Felix Sanchez to bring the Sox within one. Deven Marrero drew a walk to put the winning run aboard for Keury De La Cruz, who looped a sinking liner to shallow right field off of Nick McBride. Preston Beck’s attempt to make a great diving catch was unsuccessful, and as the ball skipped away, Coyle scored from second to tie it up, with Marrero racing to third and De La Cruz sprinting to second. Marrero saw a stop sign at third base, but then sprinted home when the incoming throw ricocheted away from the Pelicans shortstop at second base. Myrtle Beach’s defense never regrouped to throw it home and Marrero scored standing on the error to ignite the celebration.

The comeback was Salem’s second great rally of the game. Down 4-0 after six and half innings, Salem’s offense finally awakened after Myrtle Beach starter Alec Asher left the game. With one out in the seventh, a David Renfroe walk preceded back to back singles from Henry Ramos and Blake Swihart, the latter driving in Renfroe to make it 4-1. Nick Natoli laced a double to left-center, bringing the Sox within two and putting a pair in scoring position with just one away. Salem inched within one on Felix Sanchez’ sacrifice fly, and then Sean Coyle’s soft chopper past the mound went as an RBI infield single to drive in Natoli and tie the game.

Salem nearly surged in front for the first time in the last of the eight, putting runners at first and third with one out for Ramos. Facing Joe Van Meter, Ramos smoked a rising line drive toward shortstop, where Edwin Garcia made a ridiculous leaping catch to rob him of a game-changing hit. Garcia caught it, landed, and fired a bullseye to first for a 6-3 double play that ended Salem’s threat.

In the top of the ninth, the Pelicans broke the four-all tie by plating a pair of unearned runs, using a walk and two errors to make it 6-4. But Salem discovered more comeback magic  in the home half of the ninth, finally taking the first lead of the game when it ended. Ott earned the win in relief, while McBride suffered a blown save and a loss. The time of game was three hours and nine minutes, Salem’s longest game of the year thus far by 28 minutes.

The victory gives the Sox a series win over Myrtle Beach heading into the second set of the homestand, with Potomac arriving Monday night for another three-game set. William Cuevas makes the start for the Salem, with Potomac countering with Taylor Hill. First pitch is slated for 7:05.