Timing is almost everything. There is also the matter of location.

Salem newcomer Tim Federowicz hit the ball every bit as hard -- possibly harder -- than Lynchburg's Jordy Mercer on Sunday at Salem Memorial Ballpar.

But Mercer's double that danced down the left-field line in the fourth inning brought home a run and left him in perfect position to score himself on a single that followed in its path. His two-out shot in the eighth sailed over the wall in left-center to provide the Carolina League's leading closer with more than enough cushion as the Hillcats scored a 4-2 victory over the Red Sox.

It was Salem's first loss of the second half, which began with a three-game sweep of the Indians in Kinston, N.C.

Salem starter Bryan Price gave up three runs on five hits and two walks through seven innings. Mercer's homer came off reliever Kyle Fernandes, who finished out the game for the Red Sox (3-1).

"We played some good baseball tonight," said Salem manager Chad Epperson. "They got timely hits and we didn't."

Federowicz, who joined Salem after the all-star break, was impressive in his home debut. He pounded two doubles to the wall in left, but wasn't able to bring anyone home. He did score a run after doubling in the sixth, and hit a deep fly ball in the fourth, but it was to the deepest part of center field where it was simply an out.

Federowicz was hardly alone. The Red Sox outhit Lynchburg 11-9, but left nine runners on base.

"We knocked out 11 hits," he said. "We were getting on base as much as we can. We'll come around."

Federowicz also threw out Chase d'Arnaud trying to steal in the first inning and caught Kris Watts off first base for a strikeout-throw out double play in the sixth.

"He could've caught at any big league venue tonight," Epperson said. "He loves to throw. He did a nice job tonight, a real nice job back there."

In just three games with Salem, Federowicz has seven hits -- four of them doubles -- and three RBIs.

Luis Exposito was Salem's primary catcher for the first half, hitting .277 with 21 doubles, four homers and 37 RBIs. Epperson said the two will share catching duties in the second half, serving as designated hitter possibly on off days.

"They'll both get ample opportunities," Epperson said. "They both have tremendous potential. They'll both get the playing time they need. ... We're going to keep them fresh."

Federowicz, David Mailman and Anthony Rizzo all made the South Atlantic League All-Star team and got the call to Salem, so the three all drove from Greenville, S.C., to Charleston, West Virginia, for the All-Star Game and then continued on to Salem for a workout at the ballpark before joining the team for the road trip to Kinston.

"I didn't sleep much," Federowicz said. "I don't know if I was stressed from packing up all my stuff or the excitement.

"But I'm pretty much calmed down now."

It's not like Federowicz isn't used to a little excitement. His North Carolina Tar Heels went to three straight College World Series, reaching the finals in 2006 and 2007. Federowicz was drafted in 2008 and hit .244 with 15 RBIs in 36 games in shortseason Lowell.

He led the South Atlantic League with a .345 batting average in the first half of 2009, with 19 doubles, 10 homers and 34 RBIs and also threw out 29.2 percent of the runners who tried to steal a base.

Federowicz said he worked out with a lot of Salem's current players in spring training "so these are some of my closest friends."

"These are the guys I trust and can have fun with," Federowicz said. "And also having Mailman and Rizzo with me helps too. But really you're only nervous until you get on the field. The routine's the same. The baseball's exactly the same thing."

How the runs scored

Salem second: Rizzo singled. Federowicz doubled, Rizzo to third. Mailman grounded out, Rizzo to scored. Red Sox 1, Hillcats 0.

Lynchburg fourth: D'Arnaud doubled. De los Santos grounded out, d'Arnaud to third. Mercer doubled, d'Arnaud scored. Hague singled, Mercer scored. Hillcats 2, Red Sox 1.

Lynchburg sixth: De los Santos reached on a bunt single. De los Santos stole second. Mercer grounded out, de los Santos to third. Hague reached on a fielder's choice, de los Santos scored. Hillcats 3, Red Sox 1.

Salem sixth: One out. Federowicz doubled. Mailman grounded out, Federowicz to third. Borowiak singled, Federowicz scored. Hillcats 3, Red Sox 2.

Lynchburg eighth: Two outs. Mercer homered. Hillcats 4, Red Sox 2.

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