Salem fell in another early hole and couldn’t climb out. They lost game 4 5-1 and lost the series 3-1.
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“It’s a disappointing finish to a really good season,” said Salem manager Jim Pankovits
“It’s sad,” said Salem shortstop Wladimir Sutil. “I got on base, but we didn’t hit to score runs,” Sutil said. “[Monday] we had 15 hits and only four runs. You cannot win that way.”
Minor game recaps, Playoffs, SalemSalem 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.
Tim Torres and Pat Osborn struck out in the 9th representing the winnings run as the Av’s lost Saturday’s first game of the Carolina League Championship 3-2.
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Salem won the deciding game of the Southern Division playoffs over Kinston 5-3.
Chris Blazek pitched well out of the pen going 2 1/3 innings allowing a hit and a walk while striking out 5 to earn the win. This brings Blazeks line for the play offs to 4 2/3 innings pitched, a hit, a walk, 9 strike outs, a save & a win.
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“He has the guts of a burglar,” Avalanche manager Jim Pankovits said. “There’s nobody I’d rather have the ball at the end of a game than him. Probably nobody in the league.”
The Avs battled out of an early 3-0 hole created by Bud Norris who pitched well except for the second where he gave up 3 runs on 3 walks and two hits. He only gave up one other hit in his 5 1/3 innings and struck out 6.
Av’s outfielders Hart & Rosales gunned down runners at the plate in the 4th & 6th to hold the game at 3 all.
Tri Cities:
Russel Dixon had three hits and two RBI, Colin Delome had two hits and two RBIs, and Steve Brown had two hits and 2 RBI as the ValleyCats decided to not leave any hits in their bats for the off season in an 11-2 season ending victory. Carlos Ladeuth had another effective start for the win.
Salem lost game two of their playoff with Kinston 1-0 on a walk off home run in the bottom of the 9th. Josh Rodriguez hit a 0-1 change up out of the park of Raymar Diaz to force a game three tonight.Read More
Minor game recapsSalem took game one of the best of 3 series from Kinston 10-3. Mitch Einertson had a two run double and Tim Torres had a sole HR. Every Salem batter got a hit and 5 had 2.
Sergio Perez pitched around base runners in 5 of his 6 innings allowing 3 runs (only 1 earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks with 6 Ks.
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“I threw a lot of off-speed stuff to get ’em off-balance,” Perez said. “They can hit the fastball. I knew I had to bring my A game.”
Lefty Polin Trinidad will be going for Salem tonight.
Tri Cities got spanked 13-2. Brandon Barnes is in a 1-22 slump during which he has K’d 12 times. Colin Delome is wallowing in the mire as well going 1 for his last 15 with 9 Ks.
The Astros have announced they have signed 17 year old RHP Andrea Lucati from Italy. He has pitched for the Italian National team in the World Junior Baseball Championship. He reportedly throws a 90 MPH fastball and will turn 18 in January. Looks like Greeneville fans may need to brush up on their Italian.
