Shorebirds to jump into first place in the Carolina League North Division. The Birds are a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles.
After two weeks on the road due to the Salem Fair being in town, then another four days off for the Major League Baseball All-Star game, the Yaks were glad to be home last Friday to host Delmarva for a short three-game series. Salem lost the opener, a 14-11 slugfest, but bounced back to win the next two games, 10-5 and 4-2.
On Saturday night Salem fell behind 3-0 in the second inning but scored once in the bottom of the second, then put three on the board in three consecutive innings, the fourth, fifth and sixth, for a 10-3 lead. Franklin Primera had a two-run homer in the sixth and Louis Andujar had three hits and scored three runs for the Yaks.
Former Salem High pitcher Ethan Walker started the game and had no decision, allowing one earned run over the first two innings. Jose Bello pitched the next five and a third and picked up the win, allowing one run and fanning four.
On Sunday Salem jumped on top with three runs in the first inning on a three run homer by Kleyver Salazar. That turned out to be all Salem needed for a 4-2 win. Salazar had three hits for the game.
Leighton Finley started and pitched the first five innings to pick up his fifth win of the season. He allowed two runs while striking out six. Trennor O’Donnell pitched the final four innings, shutting out the Birds to pick up his first save.
After the weekend the RidgeYaks moved into first place in the Carolina League North Division second half standings with a 13-11 record. Heading into Tuesday’s games Fayetteville was a half game out, Wilson was one game behind the Yaks and first half winner Fredricksburg was two games out of first place.
Salem is home again this week to host the Augusta GreenJackets for six games. Game times are 6:35 pm through Saturday with a 4:05 pm start Sunday. The Jackets are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves.
This week’s promotions include “Christmas in July” with fireworks on Friday, a “Mac the Yak” plush giveaway to the first 750 fans on Saturday and “Kids Run the Bases” following Sunday’s getaway game.
After this week’s homestand the RidgeYaks will head to Kannapolis for half a dozen games with the Cannon Ballers beginning July 28. The Ballers are a farm team of the Chicago White Sox.
