Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310103
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: KINSTON, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
While schools around the country are letting out this time of year, the Salem Avalanche is getting an education in Carolina League Baseball 101 at the hands of the Kinston Indians.
The Southern Division-leading Indians used two solo home runs and a strong pitching performance from Tony Runion to shut out Salem 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Kinston (34-18), which has taken the first two games of the series, has won five straight and 19 of its last 21 as it has built a 71/2-game lead over Salem and Winston-Salem. The Avalanche (27-26) has lost four straight games and its last six against Kinston after sweeping a three-game series with the Indians earlier this season.
The Indians got on the board in the first inning. With one out, Todd Betts walked off Salem starter Doug Walls, and Enrique Wilson hit a bloop single to put runners at first and second. Richie Sexson, who leads the Carolina League in average, homers and RBI, singled to left to score Betts as Kinston took a 1-0 lead.
Kinston added a run in the second inning as Greg Thomas led off the inning with a line-drive solo homer to right, and the third run in the fourth when Bruce Aven hit his 10th homer of the year, a solo shot to right.
Half of Aven's homers have come against the Avalanche, including three in one game on April 18.
Runion (4-4) went seven innings and gave up four hits while walking two and striking out three. Maximo Delarosa pitched two perfect innings in relief to pick up his second save.
Walls (3-3) took the loss for Salem after going six innings and giving up five hits and three runs. He walked two and struckout seven. Scott LaRock went the final two innings for Salem, giving up just one hit.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB