Salem splits doubleader with Winston-Salem

The Salem Red Sox split a doubleheader with the Winston-Salem Dash, dropping the opener 4-2 and winning the nightcap 8-4 Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark.

The Red Sox (20-9) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning of game one when Rafael Devers and Jordan Betts struck back-to-back doubles off Thad Lowry of the Dash (11-19).

Winston-Salem wasted no time tying the score in the bottom of the second with a Mason Robbins infield single off Matt Kent. The Dash took a 3-1 lead in the third when Marcus Davis smacked a two-run, opposite-field double.

Betts collected his second RBI of the game in the top of the fourth, when a single scored Danny Mars from second base. Betts finished 2-for-3 with the double and two RBIs in the opener.

Lowry (1-2) got some extra support in the fifth in the form of a Hunter Jones home run. The righthander allowed two runs on six hits in 6.0 innings, walking one and fanning three.

Kent (1-2) went the distance for Salem, tossing the club’s first complete game of the season. He pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, striking out four and not walking a batter.

Jacob Morris earned his first save of the season as he shut the door in the seventh and put an end to the Red Sox’ eight-game winning streak. Andrew Benintendi was held hitless and saw his 23-game hitting streak come to an end.

Game two started off with the Dash in control – Jordan Stephens retired the first 11 batters he faced and four runs were scored off Travis Lakins in the first two innings.

Winston-Salem maintained their 4-0 lead into the fifth inning, when the wheels fell off and the Red Sox struck for eight runs. Three straight base hits got the inning going before Stephens (0-4) walked David Sopilka with the bases loaded.

Bryan Hudson delivered a two-run single and then Yoan Moncada drilled an opposite-field, three-run home run to give Salem a 6-4 lead and chase Stephens from the game. Reliever Connor Walsh allowed two more runs on RBI’s from Benintendi and Mike Meyers as the Sox jumped out in front 8-4.

For Moncada, it was his third home run in the last six games and marked the 12^th consecutive time that he scored after reaching base.

After the turbulent start, Lakins (4-1) settled down and held the Dash scoreless over his final 4.0 innings of work. Lakins became the fourth straight Salem starter to complete 6.0 innings, allowing the four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out six.

Austin Maddox struck out the side in the seventh to seal the victory for Salem.

The Red Sox complete the four-game series with the Dash Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm. Salem will send Jalen Beeks (3-1, 2.88) to the mound opposite Spencer Adams (3-1, 3.48) of Winston-Salem. Follow along with all the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network, with pre-game coverage beginning at 1:45 pm.