ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608120139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: KINSTON, N.C.
SOURCE: Staff report
THE AVALANCHE WASTES an outstanding pitching performance by Matt Pool on Saturday in losing to the Kinston Indians, 3-2.
The Salem Avalanche wasted a strong start by Matt Pool and dropped a 3-2, 10-inning decision to the Kinston Indians on Saturday night in a Carolina League baseball game.
A bunt single by Robin Harriss started the 10th for Kinston. Avalanche reliever Jeff Sobkoviak (6-6) looked as if he might escape the inning after Guillermo Mercedes popped out on a bunt attempt and Cawhorn Gerad flied to right field. But Patricio Claudio singled to send Harriss to third.
Patrick McClinton then came out of the Salem bullpen and hit pinch-hitter Jamie Taylor with a pitch to load the bases. McClinton walked Ray Harvey to force in Harriss with the winning run and give the victory to Indians reliever Rafael Mesa (7-3).
Pool had his only trouble in the third inning, and it also started with Harriss. The Kinston catcher led off with a double and scored when Salem third baseman Tal Light threw away a bunt single by Mercedes, who took second on the play. After Mercedes took third on a sacrifice by Gary Hagy, he scored on a groundout by Claudio.
The Avalanche starter worked seven innings, giving up only the two hits in the third and a pair of walks. He struck out six.
Salem tied the score in the fifth against Indians starter Jaret Wright, a first-round draft pick of the parent Cleveland Indians in 1994. Pookie Jones led off with a single, stole second and took third on a single by Mike Higgins. Link Jarrett followed with a single to right that scored Jones and sent Higgins to second as the Avalanche cut its deficit to a run. After the runners moved up on a sacrifice by Elvis Pena, Higgins scored the tying run on a squeeze bunt by Chan Mayber.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB