Salem Red Sox Game Notes

June 23, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL) Salem Red Sox The Salem Red Sox and Potomac Nationals play game two of a three game set tonight at Pfitzner Stadium. First Pitch is at 7:05.

Have Their Number: The Potomac Nationals seem to have Salem's number of late. The Nationals have won five consecutive games against the Sox, all at Pfitzner Stadium. The P-Nats have outscored the Sox 41-24 in five games. Salem's staff ERA has inflated to 6.64 (31 ER/42.0 IP). The Nationals five wins have included two walk-off wins, three one run victories, and two innings of six plus runs. On the season, Salem took three of four at LewisGale Field earlier this year, to give the Sox a 3-6 record against the First-Half North Division Champs.

Carson Cruising: It's seems like it's made mention of every day, but somehow Sox catcher Carson Blair seems to get hotter everyday. With two hits in three at-bats yesterday, Blair continued to raise his batting average, extending the steady climb its made over the past month. After beginning the season with just 12 hits in his first 88 at- bats, Blair has been as good as can be in his last 17 games, bat- ting .459 (28-for-61) since May 16. During this stretch, he's pounded 12 extra-base hits and driven in 19 runs, while raising his season average from .136 to .268. Blair's OBP has also risen to .395, aided by the fact that he's walked 32 times in 42 games.

All-Star on the Bump: Through the first four games of the second half, the Sox starters have struggled. Salem starting pitchers have surrendered 22 runs in just 18 innings pitched in the second half, amassing a 11.00 ERA. But Salem will try to turn around that trend with its All-Star righty Justin Haley on the bump tonight. Haley fin- ished the first half with the second best ERA in the Carolina League at 2.05. Haley has split time between the bullpen and in the rotation. Justin's numbers have been even better when he starts. Haley is 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts this season. Opposing hitters have only managed a .229 average against Haley this year.

A Good First Impression: Jantzen Witte has certainly made his pres- ence known in his first four games in the Carolina League. His .267 average may not blow you off the charts, but Witte has a hit in three of his first four games. And in his lone game without a hit, Witte picked up an RBI on a fielders choice. Witte has five RBIs in four games, including a three run triple on Saturday night in Winston- Salem.

Some Major (League) Additions: Major leaguers Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos will both make rehab appearances for the Nationals tonight. It's the second time this season that the Red Sox will face a P-Nats team with a major league rehabber. Ryan Zimmerman played four games against the Sox earlier this season. Zimmerman picked up five hits in 14 at bats, with a double and three RBIs. Harper is making his second career stint with the P-Nats. Harper played two rehab games a season ago, picking up two hits in four at-bats. Ra- mos is also making his second appearance in Potomac, after rehab- bing in Woodbridge for three games a season ago. Ramos went with- out a hit in 10 at-bats last year.

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Salem Red Sox Game Notes