Comeback Kids: Sox Stun Pelicans 7-6 in Extras Friday
SALEM, VA (May 19, 2017) - The Salem Red Sox sent a record crowd of 8,847 home with an indelible memory Friday night, erasing a three-run deficit in the ninth inning and scoring the winning run in the 10th to top the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7-6 at Haley Toyota Stadium
SALEM, VA (May 19, 2017) - The Salem Red Sox sent a record crowd of 8,847 home with an indelible memory Friday night, erasing a three-run deficit in the ninth inning and scoring the winning run in the 10th to top the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7-6 at Haley Toyota Stadium in Salem.
The Red Sox (26-15) trailed from the second inning until the ninth, when they scored three runs with two outs to even up the ballgame before snagging their fifth walk-off victory of the season in the 10th frame. The Pelicans (22-20) blew a save for just the second time all season, with a bullpen that entered the game with a sterling 2.85 ERA. The crowd obliterated the previous record of 8,389 fans at Salem Memorial Ballpark, set on Saturday, June 28, 1997 against the Durham Bulls.
Salem opened the scoring in the bottom of the first against Pelicans starting pitcher
The Pelicans jumped further ahead in the top of the sixth;
Salem closed in against their rivals in the bottom of the sixth, as
Myrtle Beach added some insurance in the top of the eighth, as Bautista walked Hodges to start the frame.
After
Kelley got a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 10th, and Salem completed their mission in the bottom of the frame, as Effross gave up a two-out walk to Reveles. The runner pilfered second base, and Matheny hit a looping line drive to right field that just snuck over the glove of Martinez, allowing Reveles to race home with the winning run to touch off the celebration in front of the record crowd.
Jimenez took a no-decision, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits over 5.2 innings while registering five strikeouts. Bautista gave up two unearned runs on three hits and a walk, fanning two. Kelley earned the win with two perfect innings and two strikeouts for the Sox.
The Sox will look for their third straight win Saturday night, with lefty Matthew Kent making the start for Salem against Pelicans southpaw
The Carolina League All-Star Game returns to Salem on Tuesday, June 20 at Haley Toyota Field. As part of a celebration of 50 years of Carolina League baseball in the Roanoke Valley, the Red Sox will host a skills competition on Monday, June 19. The skills competition will take place at historic Kiwanis Field, the original home of Carolina League baseball in Salem. All 2017 Salem Red Sox season ticket holders will have tickets to the skills competition and the All-Star Classic at Haley Toyota Field included in their ticket package.