July 9, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: 5 shutout frames for Ward; Lugo hits first professional homer
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Salem Red Sox 9, Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) 7 (Completion of Suspended Game)
The Red Sox scored seven runs over the final three innings to overcome a 5-2 deficit headed into the bottom of the sixth. Jake Thompson allowed five runs across five innings in the start, all of which came in the first inning. Four of the seven hits on Thompson's tab came in the first inning as well. Andrew Schwaab earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of shutout ball. Keith Curcio, Pedro Castellanos and Marcus Wilson each had two hits, while No. 8 and 9 hitters Nick Sciortino and Tanner Nishioka each delivered a two-run home run as part of the comeback bid. The game was resumed from Sunday, which was halted because of rain with one out in the top of the eighth inning.
Salem Red Sox 3, Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) 0 (7 Innings)
Salem swept the unorthodox doubleheader on the back of a combined shutout from Thaddeus Ward, Andrew Politi, and Rio Gomez. Ward handled the first five innings, allowing four hits against six strikeouts. Politi recorded three quick flyouts in the sixth and Gomez earned the save despite surrendering a single and a walk. Edgar Corcino had two hits, both of which drove in runs. He delivered a solo home run in the sixth while adding an RBI double in the second. Keith Curcio also had a pair of base knocks.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) at Salem Red Sox, PPD
The contest, which was pushed back because of the suspended game on Sunday, will be made up July 11 in Wilmington.
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The Spinners saved all five runs for the late innings to overcome a 3-0 deficit after six full frames. Nick Decker hit his first home run of the year to bring his team within one in the seventh inning, and Jaxx Groshans added a two-RBI double in the ninth to bring home the go-ahead run. Nicholas Northcut drove home a run in the eighth. Yusniel Padron-Artilles allowed all three Aberdeen runs, only one of which was earned, in his four-inning start. Hildemaro Requena followed with two frames in relief, while Cody Scroggins, Osvaldo De La Rosa and Kris Jackson each pitched one.
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The Red Sox were out-hit but took advantage of 11 free passes in addition to their 11 hits to cruise to victory over the Rays. The big inning came in the fifth, when the squad scored six runs on five hits, including two-run home runs from Matthew Lugo and Bramdon Perez, each of whom hit their first professional home run. Dominic D'Allessandro added a two-run shot as well, as part of a three-RBI afternoon. It was a bullpen day, with five pitchers taking the mound. Dominic LoBrutto pitched a clean first inning, but each subsequent arm would surrender at least three hits.
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Claudio Ochoa struggled out of the gate, as he allowed six runs on seven hits and recorded just four outs in his start. Robinson Montero followed with 3 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Beiker Pineda added two shutout innings of relief as well. Darel Belen was the only hitter with more than one hit, while Albert Feliz grabbed two RBI.
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Railin Perez gave his team 5 1/3 innings of four-hit, shutout ball in relief after Andres Ortuno struggled in his start. Ortuno gave up four runs on four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Naysbel Marcano was 2 for 5, and Angeudis Santos added a triple.
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Player of the Day: Thaddeus Ward gave Salem a strong effort in Monday's regularly scheduled contest, leading the way to a combined shutout. The 22-year-old has had a breakout year during his first full professional season, leading to a midseason promotion from Greenville. Ward has a 1.83 ERA between both levels his year with a .201 BAA. Ward has not allowed a run in four of his last nine starts.
Photo Credit: Thaddeus Ward by Kelly O'Connor