The Salem Red Sox opened a six game series against the Charleston RiverDogs with a loss on Tuesday. The Sox dropped an 8-6 decision in a noon matinee game at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
Salem led 3-2 after the first inning as Natanael Yuten singled in two runs, then scored on an errant pickoff attempt. The RiverDogs tied the game in the second, then took a 5-3 lead in the third and never trailed again. Salem cut the lead to 5-4 after four innings 7-5 after six but never could catch up.
Steven Brooks took the loss for Salem, giving up five runs in the first three innings. Starlyn Nunez had three hits for the Sox, including a double and a ninth inning triple that produced a run. Karim Ayubi also had three hits.
The loss followed doubleheader sweep of Fayetteville on Sunday. Saturday’s game was halted by storms with the Sox leading 5-2 in the second inning and resumed Sunday. Salem went on to a 7-6 win in that game, then took a 5-3 win in the nightcap.
With Tuesday’s loss Salem fell to 10-15 in the second half of the Carolina League split season. The Sox will host Charleston, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate, for the rest of the week with 6:35 pm starts through Saturday and a 1:05 pm afternoon game Sunday. The first bobblehead giveaway of the season is Friday with a bobble of current Boston and former Salem standout Jarren Duren. Then, on Saturday, it’s “Bluey Night” with a special appearance by the kids’ TV star.
After this week the Sox are off Monday, then have six in Lynchburg.
