Salem Takes Series from Wilson
Warbirds Rally Comes up Short
SALEM, V.A. – The Wilson Warbirds stranded the go-ahead run on base in the top of the ninth inning as the Salem RidgeYaks held on for a 5-4 victory to claim the series on Friday night at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
Salem (6-1) broke a two-all tie in the fifth when Skylar King connected on his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right, to put the RidgeYaks ahead 3-2.
In the sixth, Salem added to their lead with a pair of runs on a two-run double off the bat of Starlyn Nunez to extend the lead to 5-2.
Wilson (2-5) plated single runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the game at two before Salem went ahead for good.
Enniel Cortez (L, 0-1) was charged with the loss after permitting three earned runs over his 2.2 innings of work.
The Warbirds rallied in the ninth when Juan Ortuno laced a double to left center field to plate Luis Lameda and pull Wilson to within a pair at 5-3.
Later in the frame, Jose Anderson drove a ball out to right center field which allowed Juan Ortuno to come home and trim the deficit to one, 5-4. However, that would be as close as Wilson would get as Adam Bates (S, 1) got Frederi Montero to pop out to end the game and preserve a 5-4 victory.
Ethan Walker (W, 1-0) earned the victory out of the bullpen after tossing 4.1 shutout innings to help Salem claim the series.
The series continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. when Wilson sends RHP Jarrette Bonet (0-0, 4.50) to the hill while Salem will oppose with RHP Christian Foutch (0-0, 0.00).