Orimoloye Hits Grand Slam in 7-5 Loss to Red Sox

ZEBULON, N.C. - Demi Orimoloye hit a grand slam in the ninth and Nathan Kirby struck out a career high seven, but the Mudcats failed to erase an early 7-0 deficit in a series clinching 7-5 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

Orimoloye's grand slam came with two outs in the ninth and pulled the Mudcats (20-20, 54-56) within two of the lead. Carolina's third grand slam of the season, however, was not enough as reliever Algenis Martinez retired Cooper Hummel moments later on a groundout to first to finish the game; sealing a two games to one series win for Salem (20-22, 52-58).
 Tweet from @CarolinaMudcats: We can neither confirm nor deny that this Demi 💣 hit the water tower... #MudcatsFUN pic.twitter.com/k4IavNxbQ9
Orimoloye went 2-for-5 with four RBI and the late grand slam (his third homer of the year). Hummel also went 2-for-5 and Devin Hairston was 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Hairston's RBI single also came in the ninth just moments before Orimoloye's grand slam.
Reliever Algenis Martinez (S, 4) earned the save while facing just one batter in the ninth in place of fellow reliever Joan Martinez. In all, Joan Martinez gave up five runs and two hits and walked three before leaving the game while recording just two outs in the ninth.
Salem led 7-0 going into the ninth after originally jumping out to an early lead in the fourth with four runs on four hits against starter Devin Williams. The Red Sox then later added one more in the third on the first of two home runs in the game from Josh Tobias. His second homer came in the sixth and was part of a two run frame.
Tobias went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI in the game for the Red Sox. The switch-hitting Tobias homered from both sides of the plate on Sunday as his first solo shot came off starter Williams (0-3, 6.33) in the third and his second came off Kirby in the sixth. 
Williams gave up the four runs on four hits in the second before getting into the third and giving up Tobias' first home run. Williams was then ejected from the game moments later after wildly losing a pitch over the head of the next batter, Michael Osinski. In all, Williams allowed five runs on seven hits over two and 1/3 innings. He also walked one and struck out one while suffering the loss.
Wuilder Rodriguez recorded two outs in place of Williams in the third and then turned the game over to Kirby who went on to work through the next four innings. Kirby allowed a home run to Tobias in the sixth, but began his outing with six straight outs and totaled a career high seven strikeouts. In all, worked through four innings while walking three and allowing four hits. Phil Bickford later followed and pitched the final two frames and struck out two.
Recently promoted right-hander Denyi Reyes earned the win for the Red Sox after holding Carolina scoreless through five and 2/3 innings pitched. Reyes (1-0, 0.00) struck out four, walked one and scattered five hits while earning a victory in his Carolina League debut. 
Reyes was later followed by reliever Kevin McAvoy who pitched through two and 1/3 scoreless frames with two walks and three strikeouts.
With the loss, the Mudcats fell to 4.5 games back of first in the second half race behind Winston-Salem and Buies Creek. They also fell to 1-2 in their current home stand. The home stand will continue on Monday night as the Mudcats welcome in the Lynchburg Hillcats for game one of a new series. Monday's game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will feature another House Autry Family Fun Monday promotion.
Tickets are available by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com/tickets, by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com. It will also stream live via video on MiLB.tv.
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