Salem squashes Down East rally 4-2

Castellanos continues Sox home run streak

July 18, 2019

SALEM, Virginia (July 17, 2019) - Clutch hitting, more home runs and driven pitching propelled Salem to a 4-2 win over the Down East Wood Ducks Wednesday night at Haley Toyota Field.How it Happened * Bubba Thompson blasted the Wood Ducks onto the board 1-0 in the first inning with

SALEM, Virginia (July 17, 2019) - Clutch hitting, more home runs and driven pitching propelled Salem to a 4-2 win over the Down East Wood Ducks Wednesday night at Haley Toyota Field.

How it Happened
* Bubba Thompson blasted the Wood Ducks onto the board 1-0 in the first inning with a lead-off home run.
* Ryan Fitzgerald knocked a double in the bottom of the frame and Pedro Castellanos nabbed the lead with a home run of his own to take a 2-1 lead for the Sox.
* Jhonathan Diaz retired after 5 2/3 innings, allowing just the one run and striking out three.
* The Woodies tied the tilt 2-2 in the eighth inning. Sam Huff led off after being hit by a pitch, Curtis Terry singled and a double from Yanio Perez brought home the tying run.
* Nick Sciortino answered in the bottom of the eighth, beating a play down the line on a dropped third strike. Michael Osinski entered the game as a pinch runner and advanced on a passed ball. Jagger Rusconi singled to reclaim the lead, 3-2 and Victor Acosta singled to give Salem 4-2 insurance.
* Andrew Schwaab closed down the contest and earned his seventh save of the season.
Standout Sox
* Jhonathan Diaz: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
* Pedro Castellanos: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, R, HR
* Jagger Rusconi: 1-for-4, RBI, R

Noteworthy
* Pedro Castellano's home run in the first inning is the second consecutive game with a blast for Salem after Edgar Corcino's two on Monday against Frederick. The 13 home runs for the month of July are the most for the Sox, eclipsing April and May combined.
* Jhonathan Diaz has only permitted two earned runs across his last six starts.
What's Next
Salem Red Sox vs. Down East Wood Ducks Thursday, July 18, 2019. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM EST.
RHP Dylan Thompson vs. TBA
Listen: SalemSox.com, TuneIn Radio, ESPN Blacksburg WKEX 1430 AM/94.1 FM, WGMN 1240 AM/93.3 FM
Watch: MiLB.TV
The Salem Red Sox are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and call Haley Toyota Field in Salem, Virginia home. The team was founded in 1968 and purchased by Fenway Sports Management in December of 2007. For more information on the Salem Red Sox, please visit SalemRedSox.com or contact Melanie Newman at [email protected].