Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250100
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Only Kinston's Bartolo Colon never let this classic battle materialize.
Colon and two relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Kinston Indians downed Jamey Wright and the Salem Avalanche 4-1, sending Salem to its seventh loss in its past eight games.
Colon (13-3), the league's top pitcher, went seven innings and gave up one run on two hits while walking three and striking out eight. Colon improved his record to 3-0 against Salem this season.
Wright (9-5) did not fare as well, going 61/3 innings and giving up three runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out three. Wright lost for just the second time in his past 16 starts - both times against Kinston.
Kinston (18-13) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Todd Betts and Enrique Wilson each singled with one out and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Richie Sexson then got his league-leading 62nd RBI with a sacrifice fly that scored Betts.
The Indians added another run in the third when Ricky Gutierrez singled with one out, stole second and scored on Betts' RBI single. The Indians took a 3-0 lead when Patricio Claudio led off the seventh with a single, stole second and took third when Salem catcher Jason Smith threw the ball into center field while trying to get Claudio at second. Gutierrez' single then scored Claudio.
Salem cut the lead to 3-1 in the seventh when John Giudice led off the inning with a solo homer to left off Colon. The Avalanche's only other hit came in the sixth when Keith Grunewald led off with a double.
Kinston answered with an insurance run in the eighth. Greg Thomas led off the inning with a single and pinch-runner Mike Murphy took second on a flyout by Bruce Aven. Murphy scored on an RBI triple by Claudio for the game's final run.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB