Salem fell behind 2-0 and couldn’t catch up in a 6-4 loss that puts them on the brink of losing the series.
Wlad Sutil was impressive in the lead off spot going 4-5 with 2 RBI and a SB.
The turning point in the game may have been the 8th inning when the following occurred as reported by the Roanoke Times:
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Salem was down 5-2 going into the bottom of the eighth when Pat Osborn and Cesar Quintero singled and Justin Tellam walked to load the bases. Tellam was replaced by pinch-runner Greg Buchanan. Orlando Rosales struck out; then Sutil singled to bring in two runs.
Hart, who went 2-for-5, struck out. Einertson, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI, singled to left field. Buchanan raced for home but was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Chris Amador.
Pankovits vigorously argued that Buchanan was safe, but to no avail.
“I didn’t think it was going to be close,” Pankovits said. “I turned my attention to Sutil to get him to third as the go-ahead run. … I turned back, and he was called out.
“I thought he was safe.”
Polin Trinadad takes the mound tonight hoping to extend the series to game 5.