Garrison goes seven strong in Salem setback

The offense was once again disappointing as Pawtucket was blanked by Buffalo, 3-0. Enrique Gonzalez (7-9) went the first 6.1, giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, recording 1 strikeout while taking the loss. Javier Lopez got the next out, but not before giving up a hit and a walk. Randor Bierd bailed him out, closing out the seventh and pitching the eighth as well without giving up a run. He allowed 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 1. Jeff Natale paced the Red Sox attack by going 2 for 3 with a double. Aaron Bates, Angel Chavez, and Gil Velazquez each went 1 for 3.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the ninth, Portland fell to Reading 6-5. The Sea Dogs start went to Jarod Plummer, who went 5.0 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and a walk, striking out 2. Ryne Miller (0-1) relieved him but took the loss, going 2.0 innings and allowing a solo home run to Reading first baseman Brian Stavisky, his second of the game. Bryce Cox went the final frame giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. Trailing by 3 runs going into the top of the ninth, Portland got within 1 on a 2-run home run by Jon Still (2 for 5), but couldn't quite complete the comeback. Jorge Jimenez also had a good game at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, and an RBI.

Even with a stellar start by Seth Garrison, Salem fell to Frederick 1-0. Garrison tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7, departing with the score tied 0-0. Kyle Fernandes (4-1) relieved him and allowed the game-winning run on 2 hits and 2 walks to take the loss. Salem managed only 4 hits in the game, with no player netting more than 1.

The Drive scored 5 runs in the final 3 innings to defeat Lakewood by a score of 6-5. Caleb Clay got the starting nod and went the first 5.0 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 4. Felix Ventura (2-4) pitched the final 4.0 innings giving up just 1 earned run on 2 hits, striking out 4 to earn the win. Zach Gentile led the Greenville offense with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, driving in 1 and scoring a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run, and 2 runs scored, while Jered Stanley went 2 for 2 with 2 walks and an RBI. Kade Keowen also had 2 hits, going 2 for 3 with a double, and although Will Middlebrooks only had 1 hit in 4 at-bats, that hit was a go-ahead 2-run double in the bottom of the eighth.

Good pitching and a balanced attack helped Lowell to an 8-2 drubbing of Tri-City. Ryan Pressly went the first 4.2 innings giving up a run on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7. Richie Lentz (2-0) bailed him out of the fifth and went 1.1 perfect innings in all, striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced to earn the win. Pedro Perez pitched the final 3.0 frames, giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 3. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 walks, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Chris McGuiness went 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI of his own. Joantoni Garcia collected 2 doubles in 4 at-bats and scored 2 runs.

Player of the Night: Seth Garrison, who pitched 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7 in a losing effort for Salem.

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