Garcia Records Three Hits in Mudcats Defeat to Salem

Salem Red Sox 3 - Carolina Mudcats 1

Box Score

ZEBULON, NC – Another strong pitching performance from the Salem Red Sox (8-11) was too much to overcome for the Carolina Mudcats (14-5), who fell to the Red Sox 3-1 Friday night at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats have dropped back-to-back games for the first time in 2024.

Salem starter Luis Cohen (W, 1-3) excelled on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings for the visitors. He was followed by the debuting lefty in Michael Sansone, who blanked Carolina over three. Closer JoJo Ingrassia (SV, 1) allowed a one-out double to David Garcia in the ninth, his third hit of the ballgame. Garcia advanced to third on the second out of the inning before he came across to score on a Yhoswar Garcia infield single, spoiling the Red Sox's shutout bid. Ingrassia then bounced back and struck out Juan Baez to secure the Salem win.

Mudcats righty Josh Knoth (L, 0-1) pitched himself out of a tough spot in the second inning after walking the bases loaded. He left the game after getting issuing a one-out walk in the fourth inning to Daniel McElveny. McElveny scored on an RBI single to give the Red Sox a 1-0 edge. Salem struck for two more runs in the fifth thanks to a run-scoring ground out by Nataneal Yuten and an RBI single by Freili Encarnacion. However, Carolina's bullpen closed the game strong with the trio of Harrison Durow, Aidan Maldonado, and Jeison Pena combining to retire the final 13 batters Salem sent to the plate.

The Mudcats will look to retake the series lead on Saturday night in the fifth of six games between the two clubs this week. RHP Yorman Galindez gets the start for Carolina, looking to continue his impressive April. Meanwhile, the Red Sox hand the ball to RHP Jedixson Paez. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.