The Salem Red Sox erased two separate six-run deficits to outslug the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Friday night at LewisGale Field, 11-10. Salem scored nine of the final 11 runs in the game to earn their biggest comeback win of the season.
Myrtle Beach (28-26) broke out the bats early against Travis Lakins in the first inning, striking for four runs on four hits, including three extra-base hits. Salem (36-19) got a run back in the bottom of the first against Jonathan Martinez on a Mike Meyers sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
The Pelicans came back with a run on a Gleyber Torres double in the second inning, and added two more runs in the third, opening up a 7-1 lead.
Martinez walked Yoan Moncada to open the bottom of the third. Mauricio Dubon promptly cracked a double to plate Moncada. Myrtle wasted no time answering back, though, scoring a run in the fourth to gain an 8-2 advantage.
Dubon finished 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and four runs scored. Moncada had another terrific game at the plate as well, going 3-for-3 with three doubles, two walks, a stolen base, and four runs scored. Together, the duo spearheaded the Salem rally.
Lakins was finished after 4.0 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits, walking one and striking out two. He ended up getting a no decision.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Red Sox broke out against Martinez, plating five runs with two outs and chasing the starter from the game. Danny Mars had a bases-loaded single to bring in Moncada and Dubon, Jordan Betts singled in Nick Longhi, and Ben Moore doubled in Mars and Betts to cut the lead to 8-7.
Jamie Callahan, pitching in relief of Lakins, allowed two runs to the Pelicans in the top of the sixth, but Salem got one back in the bottom of the frame against Daury Torrez. Dubon singled, stole second, and scored on a Rafael Devers single to cut the gap to 10-8.
With Torrez (0-1) still pitching in the seventh, the Red Sox mounted a furious three-run, two-out rally capped off by a Meyers two-run double to take an 11-10 lead. After there were two gone in the inning, six straight Salem hitters reached to give the Sox their first lead of the game.
Callahan (3-2) lasted 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on one hit, before giving way for Simon Mercedes, who tossed the final two innings of the game to earn his first save with Salem.
All nine batters in the game recorded at least one hit for the Red Sox, including five players with multi-hit games. Six hitters scored at least one run while six also recorded at least one RBI.
The win pushes the Red Sox’ lead over the Pelicans in the Carolina League Southern Division to a season-high 7.5 games, and lowers their magic number to clinch the first-half division title to eight. Salem has not won a first-half crown since 1988.
The Red Sox open a new series with the Lynchburg Hillcats Saturday at LewisGale Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm. Salem will throw Daniel McGrath (1-1, 5.40), while Lynchburg counters with Nick Pasquale (1-1, 2.35). For tickets and more information slide to www.salemsox.com/tickets or call (540) 389-3333.
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