The Salem Red Sox overcame a three-run deficit to tie the score at four, but the Dash pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth and held on for a 5-4 victory on Thursday night at LewisGale Field. The visitors took the lead for good on Kevan Smith’s double-play groundout, which plated Joey DeMichele from third base. The Sox had scored one run apiece in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to even it up, but could not muster another tally in the final frames. Salem did win three out of five in its series against Winston and five of eight in its week-long homestand.
Henry Ramos led the Red Sox offense with three hits while batting first in the lineup for the first time all season. He homered for the second straight day and registered a pair of singles, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Brandon Jacobs also went yard with a towering homer to straight-away center, his sixth of the year. Combined, Ramos and Jacobs possess 11 home runs on the season, all of which have been solo shots. The Sox could have used a runner on base for one of those long balls on Thursday.
The Dash discovered the majority of their scoring against William Cuevas in the second inning, scoring three times on two hits, one walk, and one error. Courtney Hawkins slammed an RBI double into the left field corner, while Mark Haddow ripped an RBI single to center. Grant Buckner’s sac fly plated Haddow to make it 3-1.
In the fourth, Jeremy Farrell bopped his ninth homer of the year, a solo shot to make it 4-1. Jacobs’ homer retaliated in the bottom of the inning, Ramos’ dinger made it closer in the fifth, and Salem tied it up on Keury De La Cruz’ RBI single in the sixth, scoring Garin Cecchini, who had led off with a double.
Jeremy Erben earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief, improving to 2-0 on the year. Cody Winiarski picked up his seventh save in seven tries, striking out the side in the ninth around a two-out walk. Noe Ramirez, who permitted one run in his two innings on the mound, suffered the loss, dropping to 2-1 on the season.
The Sox will be back at LewisGale Field on Monday for the final week of the half, but Salem heads to Lynchburg for a weekend series with the Hillcats. Friday’s schedule brings a doubleheader set for 6:05 at City Stadium, with Kyle Stroup slated to pitch against Greg Ross in the opening contest. Salem’s game two probable is righthander Kyle Kraus, while the Hillcats have yet to announce a game two probable starter.
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Chris Graham
