Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507240099
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: KINSTON, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
The Avalanche blew a seven-run lead in the first game, the completion of Friday's night suspended game, then wasted a fine pitching performance by Brent Crowther in the nightcap as Salem lost both Carolina League games 10-9 and 1-0 on Saturday.
Salem (14-13) has lost six consecutive games overall - all by one run - and 12 in a row to Kinston (17-12). The Avalanche's past seven losses overall have been by one run.
The Kinston comeback started in the eighth, when the Indians scored four runs. James Betzsold's solo homer made the score 9-3. After Greg Thomas singled and Einar Diaz reached on an error, Bruce Aven - who has killed Salem pitching all season - smacked a three-run homer off Scott LaRock that cut the margin to 9-6.
Enrique Wilson continued the Indians' uprising in the ninth with a single that was followed by Richie Sexson's single off Jason Dietrick to put runners at the corners. After Betzsold struck out, the Avalanche brought in Curt Conley, who gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Chris Mader to cut the lead to two. Reliever Matt Aminoff then came in, and one out later, hit Aven to load the bases.
Aminoff walked Gerad Cawhorn, forcing in Sexson, and Ricky Gutierrez followed with a bunt single that plated Mike Murphy, who had pinch run for Mader, with the tying run. Aven scored the winning run on a passed ball by Salem catcher Will Scalzitti to end the game.
Aminoff (1-4) picked up the loss, and Cesar Ramos (1-0) was credited with the victory.
Salem scored two runs in the top of the sixth when Scalzitti and Brian Culp singled and Keith Grunewald walked to load the bases. Nate Holdren walked with two out to drive in Scalzitti, and Chris Sexton walked to bring home Culp as Salem took a 5-2 lead.
The Avalanche then took a 9-2 lead with a four-run seventh inning. Culp's single to center with two out scored Edgard Velasquez, who had led off the inning with a double, to make the score 6-2. Grunewald and John Giudice hit back-to-back singles to score Culp, and Holdren followed with a single that got past Thomas in the outfield for an error that allowed Giudice and Grunewald to score as Salem took a seven-run lead.
In the second game, the only run came on Gary Hagy's solo homer with two out in the bottom of the fifth off Crowther, who had sat down nine in a row to that point.
The Avalanche wasted a great opportunity to take the lead in the top half of the fifth when Colin Dixon singled and Culp doubled off Kinston starter Jay Vaught - the only two hits he gave up - to put runners at second and third with none out. Grunewald hit into a fielder's choice as Kinston got Dixon into a rundown trying to score. Giudice followed with a grounder back to Vaught, who threw out Culp trying to score from third, and Vaught got out of the jam.
Crowther (1-3), who has lost his past three starts, went seven innings and gave up one run on four hits. Vaught got his first shutout of the season, giving up two hits in seven innings while walking one and striking out five.
NOTES: The Avalanche, who slipped into third place behind Kinston and Winston-Salem in the Southern Division standings, will send left-hander Doug Million to the mound tonight against Carolina League All-Star Rick Heisermann. The league's top two winners and All-Stars, Salem's Jamey Wright and Kinston's Bartolo Colon, will meet Monday night in the series finale.
by CNB