From the beginning of the season, left-handers Chris Salamida and Douglas Arguello have been sharing a spot in Salem's starting rotation.

Coming out of spring training, Avalanche manager Jim Pankovits said the spot was Salamida's, but he would have to piggyback with Arguello until he got into condition for a full start.

From the start, it hasn't gone that way. Arguello started from the beginning, with Salamida coming in after him in relief. Then Salamida made a few relief appearances on other nights and, most recently, Salamida and Arguella have alternated starts.

While both have had good and bad outings, Arguella climbed into the Carolina League's top 5 in ERA this week, even without Thursday's start, which won't count until the suspended game is completed on May 30.

On Thursday, Arguella walked the first batter he faced but didn't give up a hit until the sixth inning, just before rain delayed the end of the game.

"We're going to make a decision before their next turn comes around," Pankovits said, though he pointed out that the reliever might end up getting as many innings as the eventual starter.

Give and let live

The Avalanche is teaming with local chapters of the American Red Cross to encourage blood donation.

Donors at Roanoke and Salem Red Cross blood drives will receive a voucher for a free ticket to an Avalanche game of their choice, Avalanche general manager John Katz said in a news release. Donors at the Roanoke Red Cross Center will be entered in a drawing to win two box seats to an Avalanche game.

Skid marks

Salem had lost five straight and 11 of its last 14 before Friday's game at Winston-Salem, but Pankovits said he is seeing some improvement in his team.

"We've swung the bats better and we've played a lot better defense," Pankovits said.

"I just hope we didn't dig ourselves too big a hole. As long as we make a good effort every night, it's just a matter of time. I just wish it would hurry up."

Salem lost three players, added three and Pankovits has been shuffling his lineup.

"I think I've always moved the lineup around, probably excessively at times," he said. "But at the end of the season, not too many people can say they didn't have an opportunity to play."