Big inning helps Salem Red Sox overcome deficit
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
Saturday, August 10, 2013
FIRE WHEN READY: It was a slow burn, but once the fuse was lit, the fireworks were inevitable. Salem blasted Winston-Salem for seven runs in the sixth inning on its way to a 10-4 romp Friday at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
NO DROPPING THE MIKE: After winning consecutive pitcher of the week awards, Salem starter Mike Augliera labored through six innings, surrendering eight hits, a walk, a wild pitch and four runs. By then, Salem trailed 4-2, but the Red Sox broke through in a big way in their half of the sixth.
"I think it was mechanics and command," Augliera said. "[During the past two weeks] I was able to repeat my mechanics and hit the spots I needed to, but tonight the other team did a great job of hitting whatever I was throwing up there, but the defense was spectacular and the offense picked me up later in the game."
LUCKY SEVEN IN THE SIXTH: The Red Sox took Augliera off the hook by jumping on tiring Winston-Salem starter Mark Recchia, who was making his Carolina League debut.
Signed by the White Sox from Windy City of the Frontier League, Recchia dominated Low-A ball with a 5-0 mark and a 1.45 earned run average.
Recchia surrendered a leadoff double to Matt Gedman to open the sixth inning, then was pulled after Cody Koback's single. Reliever Jason Van Skike promptly coughed up a run-scoring single to Carson Blair and the fuse was lit.
"I got bailed out a little bit," Augliera said with a laugh.
VERY GOOD BETTS: Henry Ramos reached on an error to load the bases, then Skike walked Deven Marrera to bring home Koback with the tying run. Later, after Stefan Welch's two-run double and Blake Swihart's sacrifice fly, Mookie Betts capped the seven-run explosion with a two-run blast to left, his third home run of the season, and staked Salem to a 9-4 lead. Augliera got the win to improve to 8-6 with a 4.16 earned run average.
"Augie's been amazing his last four or five starts ... so we were glad to pick him up in that sixth inning," Welch said. "The guys put good at-bats together and it was fun."
MEANWHILE IN FREDERICK: While Salem was winning its third consecutive game, Southern Division leader Carolina refused to give ground in the battle for a second-half title. The Mudcats wrecked Frederick to the tune of 12-1 to maintain their 1 ½-game lead. Myrtle Beach came from behind to defeat Potomac to remain a half-game behind Carolina.
"At every level, the goal is to win rings and championships," Welch said. "We're just trying to win every night. We know Carolina and Myrtle Beach are doing well, so we know it's going to be a close race and hopefully we'll be there in September."
ON DECK: Salem will attempt its first sweep of the Dash when it sends Mickey Pena (5-6, 4.50) to the mound against Jake Cose (4-4, 4.73).
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
