Winston-Salem Warthogs Use Two Salem Avalanche Errors to Win 7-6

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem Warthogs took advantage of two costly defensive mistakes in the tenth inning to defeat Salem 7-6 in the series opener on Monday night at Ernie Shore Field.  The Warthogs snapped a three-game skid and improved their record to 6-1 in extra-innings contests.

Trailing 6-4 entering the bottom of the tenth inning against Salem closer Chris Salamida, C.J. Retherford led off with a single and John Shelby III followed with a double to put the tying runs in scoring position with no outs.  After Estee Harris struck out, Salvador Sanchez was intentionally walked to load the bases. 

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Next, Joe Persichina hit a ground ball that snuck under the glove of Roberto Mena at second base.  The error allowed two runs to score to knot the game at six with runners on the corners and one out.  The next hitter, Greg Paiml floated a shallow fly ball to right field that was gloved by Jordan Parazz.  Sanchez bluffed on the tag up at third base, which drew a wild throw to the plate from Parazz.  The ball skipped away from catcher Koby Clemens, which allowed Sanchez to dash home with the winning run.

Salem struck for a pair of runs in the third inning off Warthogs starting pitcher Anthony Carter.  With one out, Jordan Parazz singled and scored on a triple by Collin DeLome.  Mark Ori lined the next pitch up the middle to give Salem a 2-0 lead. 

Winston-Salem finally got the offense going in the fourth inning against Erick Abreu.  Three consecutive singles loaded the bases with one out.  Greg Paiml hit into a fielder’s choice to bring the Warthogs first run across.  Next up, Francisco Hernandez blasted a three-run home run to hand Winston-Salem a 4-2 lead.

Ori struck again with a solo shot in the fifth inning to trim Salem’s deficit to one.  The left-handed slugger continues to pace the Carolina League with 68 RBI.  Salem tied the game in the sixth inning as Koby Clemens led off the frame with a double.  Tim Torres followed with a single and a wild throw to the infield allowed Clemens, who has stopped at third, to cross the plate and knot the game at four.

Salem took the lead against Warthogs reliever Henry Mabee with two runs in the top of the tenth inning.  Mark Ori singled with one out and moved to second on a ground out.  Clemens struck out swinging for the potential third out, but the ball bounced to the backstop allowing Ori to score from second.  Tim Torres followed with a run-scoring double to give Salem a 6-4 advantage.

Mabee (2-1) allowed two runs on two hits in his inning of work, but managed to snag the win.  Salamida (4-2), who was 8-for-8 in save opportunities, allowed three runs on two hits and walk to suffer the loss and his first blown save.

The Warthogs and Avalanche square off in the second of this four-game series on Tuesday night at Ernie Shore Field.  Winston-Salem will send RHP Jacob Rasner (3-3, 2.91) to the mound, while Salem will turn to RHP Chad Wagler (2-1, 1.04).  The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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