Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505120063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK BULLOCK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sometimes a team's offensive production is the catalyst for good pitching. At other times, solid pitching will provide the impetus for an offensive breakout.
There was a little of both Thursday night at Municipal Field as the Salem Avalanche swept a Carolina League doubleheader from Winston-Salem, 11-5 and 4-3.
The Avalanche got solid pitching from Jamey Wright and Keith Barnes and timely hitting from Brian Culp and Forry Wells in keeping the Southern Division pennant race a tossup by taking two of three games from the first-place Warthogs.
Barnes (3-1) tossed a complete-game three-hitter in the second game and waited patiently for some offensive support from his teammates. He got it when the Avalanche rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome a 3-1 deficit. Wells drove in the winning run with a sharp single to right-center field.
In the first game, Culp homered twice and Salem scored six runs in the sixth inning to make a winner of Wright (4-3), who settled down after the first inning and went six solid innings.
``This helps morale, and it helps in the standings,'' Salem manager Bill Hayes said. ``Our offensive production carried us in the first one, and Wright did a good job for us.
``And it was good to see us rally in the second game like that. That was a good character builder for us.''
The late-game rally salvaged an impressive performance by Barnes, a left-hander who gave up lone hits in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Two of those hits were home runs, a two-run job by Warthogs first baseman Johnny Bess and a solo shot by left fielder Mike Meggers.
Otherwise, Barnes was in complete control, retiring the side in the first, second, third and seventh innings.
Wright was nearly as dominant, surrendering no hits in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
``They're both learning how to pitch to go along with their ability,'' said Avalanche pitching coach Bill Champion. ``Barnes has thrown three good games in a row. This is a learning process for both of them, and that's starting to show up.''
Also starting to show up in the statistics is the way Culp has been hitting the ball with authority lately. He came into Thursday's games hitting .400 in a seven-game hitting streak and led off the third and fifth innings with sharply hit home runs.
``I put some good swings on some mistake pitches,'' Culp said, ``and got good results both times.''
EXTRA BASES: The Avalanche has raised its team batting average to .263, third in the league behind Lynchburg (.275) and Prince William (.268). ... Mike Saipe (2-3, 3.81 ERA) will pitch for Salem tonight against lefty Jose Rosado (4-1, 3.44). ... Winston-Salem third baseman Aaron Boone is the son of former major-league catcher Bob Boone.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB