The Salem Red Sox turned in a well-rounded effort to finally snap a three-game losing streak, which spanned five days due to a day off and a weather cancellation. Salem took down the Frederick Keys 3-2 Friday evening at Harry Grove Stadium.
The Red Sox tallied seven hits, equaling the number they amassed in their previous two games combined. Keury De La Cruz mashed the biggest hit of them all — a two-RBI double in the 3rd that gave Salem the lead for good. It was De La Cruz’s second straight contest with a two-RBI double.
The Keys’ Jerome Pena led off the bottom of the first with a towering solo home run, but Frederick failed to generate much offense after that. Mike McCarthy started and earned the victory for Salem, allowing one run on four hits in five innings, striking out two and walking two. Starter Zach Petersime took the defeat for Frederick, giving up three runs on six hits in five innings. Nefi Ogando collected his second save of the season for Salem, pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth, letting just one runner reach base (on a walk).
The Sox exhibited tremendous glove work all night. Shortstop Deven Marrero fielded a low Ogando throw en route to turning a key double play in the eighth inning. Third baseman Garin Cecchini (who improved his league-leading on-base percentage by going 1-for-2 with a walk and a hit batsman at the plate) made a diving catch on a liner to end the game.
The Red Sox still have two more to play at Frederick. Tomorrow night’s matchup will feature undefeated (4-0) Mike Augliera on the mound for Salem, against Zach Davies for Frederick. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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Chris Graham
