Salem Sox Talk

Daisuke Dynamite in Game 1

2009-09-10T13:44:27Z

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched 6.2 innings striking out 7 Dash batters. Daisuke looked solid even into the late innings of his start before being relieved by the Salem Sox bullpen and recieving a standing ovation from a crowd of over 3,000 fans in Winston-Salem.

Started Kyle Weiland (7-9, 3.46) will face the Dash in game 2 of the Carolina League Playoffs. The Salem Red Sox return home Friday night at 7:05pm.

Papelbon Rejoins Salem Sox

2009-09-08T19:07:00Z

Josh Papelbon will be pitching for the Salem Red Sox in the playoffs. Papelbon rejoins the team today prior to the first game of the playoffs in Winston-Salem Wednesday night. He had been with Double-A Portland since the end of August and pitched well during his time with the Sea Dogs. Josh was a dominant reliever for the Sox in the month of August preceeding his call-up, throwing 18.2 innings and holding a 1.93 earned run average.

The Salem Red Sox have recieved a bullpen boost from former firemen Derrick Loop and Josh Papelbon. Loop has saved two games in his two appearances since his return from Portland. The Salem Sox bullpen will need to continue their awesome pitching in the playoffs. Salem pitchers used exclusively for relief pitching had a 3.18 ERA in the months of August and September pitching 116.2 innings.

Dice-K Joins Sox for One Night Only

2009-09-07T23:57:26Z

Breaking news is that Daisuke Matsuzaka will be joining the Salem Red Sox and aid them in their efforts to win their first playoff series against Winston-Salem. Dice-K will pitch the Sox playoff opener Wednesday night in Winston-Salem. Matsuzaka is making a rehab start after struggling with a shoulder injury for most of the season.

Dice-K joins the Salem Red Sox after a 6-5 victory against the Lynchburg Hillcats this afternoon. The Sox finished their game and were also greeted with the news the Kinston Indians also fell to Carolina League northern division rival the Potomac Nationals 9-4.

To purchase tickets to Friday night's playoff game against the Dash head to salemsox.com! Go Sox!

Dice-K, Playoffs, Play-In Game? Questions Loom for Sox.

2009-09-07T15:17:07Z

After a disapointing 1-0 loss last night to the Lynchburg Hillcats at Lynchburg City Stadium the Salem Red Sox still can make the dramatic leap into the playoffs for this their first inaugural season. The Salem Sox with a win or Kinston loss tonight clinch a playoff berth. With a loss in Lynchburg coupled with an Indians win would send the Sox home for a play-in game against divisional foe Kinston Tuesday night. The Sox send righty Stephen Fife to the mound this afternoon against Matt McSwain, who in last appearance against Salem on Saturday pitched 1.0 disastrous inning of relief allowing 4 hits and two runs aiding Salem's comeback efforts.

Some interesting news broke on the web this morning involving former Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka. ESPN released a story this morning detailing a possible rehab start for Dice-K in either Salem or Greenville on Wednesday. For Matsuzaka to even have a chance to start for Salem the Sox would need to clinch this afternoon or win the play-in game against the K-Tribe on Tuesday. The wrinkle in a possible start for the Salem Sox in whether Boston needs Dice-K before Wednesday's proposed rehab start or not. Boston has scheduled Paul Byrd to start Wednesday, but he struggled physically in his last outing. Also the question must be raised as to whether he would make a start for the Salem Sox or Greenville Drive. The Drive will play on Wednesday at Asheville, while the Sox would play in Winston-Salem if they make the postseason. The Drive have already punched their ticket to the dance, but would the Red Sox rather have their starter make his rehab with the Advanced-A ballclub instead of the Low-A team? That is still to be determined.

Stay tuned for more Salem Red Sox news and notes and make sure you tune in to this afternoon's regular season finale! Go Sox!

Dent Leads Salem to 11 Inning Victory

2009-09-06T01:40:03Z

Some Salem Red Sox fans might have been wondering why Ryan Dent had been struggling at the plate since his call-up from Short-Season Lowell. I guess he was just saving his bat for a rainy day as he led the Salem Red Sox to a pivotal victory against the rival Hillcats tonight 7-6. Dent went 4-5 with 3 RBI and knocked in the winning run on a line drive to centerfield in the 11th inning. The win gives Salem a two-game lead in the Wild Card race over the Kinston Indians as they fell tonight to Potomac 7-0. Stay tuned to salemsox.com for more updates on the Salem Red Sox playoff picture!

Jones & Loop Save Sox

2009-09-05T14:01:14Z

Last night was another thrilling game for the Salem Red Sox as they defeated the Lynchburg Hillcats 3-2 at Salem Memorial Ballpark. A late day roster move signaled the return of closer Derrick Loop and he slammed the door on the Hillcats in the ninth inning earning save number 17 of the season. Loop was not the only Sox player who provided late inning heroics as first baseman Mike Jones flared a single to center to drive in the go-ahead run in the seventh. With the win and a Kinston loss the Salem Red Sox took a one game lead in the Wild Card.

The Salem Red Sox are holding a special promotional offer this evening for all fans wearing their Virginia Tech Hokie gear! Box and Reserve tickets are only $5 for fans wearing Hokie hats, t-shirts, pants and anything else you can wear that will support VT this evening! Make sure you arrive early and stay late at the park for live music starting at 4:30PM featuring Big Lik and postgame fireworks.

Southern Division Standings Record

Winston-Salem Dash 34-33

Salem Red Sox 33-34

Kinston Indians 32-35

Loop Return Gives Bullpen Boost

2009-09-04T19:17:24Z

Today the Salem Red Sox improved their chances of making the playoffs by improving the bullpen with the addition of an all-star talent, a Carolina League All-Star that is. Closer Derrick Loop returns from a brief hiatus in Portland to add depth to an already strong Salem relief core. Derrick Loop's time in Portland will almost certainly add more experience to his already sparkling 2009 pitching resume, which includes a trip to Lake Elsinore in June and the team lead in saves. In his absence Salem saw the return of opening day closer Jason Blackey who displayed the make-up of a closer and excellent reliever filling the large cleets left by Loop, saving three games and striking out seven in 8.1 innings of relief.

The Sox begin a pivotal two-game homestand against rival Lynchburg tonight at Salem Memorial Ballpark. Tonight's giveaway is Salem Red Sox logo baseballs, so don't miss out!

2009 Playoffs

2009-09-03T14:44:04Z

Hey Salem Sox fans it is time to talk about the playoffs! The Salem Red Sox are currently in the playoff mix and I thought it would be a great time to review what it will take to get the Sox one step closer to the Mills Cup. The path to the playoffs in the Carolina League is easy to understand if you think about the entire season as two separate halves. The winner of the first half is automatically in the playoffs, in our division that means Winston-Salem, the first half champs, are in. Things get a little more confusing when looking at the second half. There are three ways to make the playoffs in the second half if you were not the first half champs like the Dash. The first way to make the playoffs is to have the best record in your division in the second half of the season. The second way to make the playoffs in the second half is to place second in the standings to the first place champions. The third way to make the playoffs is to win the play-in game if there is a tie between the two division leaders in the second half, not including the first half champs, or a tie between the two teams in second place with the champs still leading the division in wins. I know that sounds a bit confusing, the play-in game especially, but I will break down a scenario and give you an example. Check out these standings below.

Standings Records

Kinston 32-33

Salem 32-33

Winston-Salem 32-33

If the season ended today- Salem would play Kinston in a play-in game on September 8th.

If Salem ended the season ahead of Kinston & Winston-Salem in wins- They would automatically make the playoffs as second half champs.

If Kinston finishes ahead of Salem and Winston-Salem in wins- They are second half champs and make the playoffs automatically.

Hopefully this post sorts out some of the questions Salem Red Sox fans have about the postseason and if you have any other questions feel free to ask! Go Sox!

Aaron Reza Back, Fife Wins Second Game

2009-08-04T14:24:02Z

I would like to thank Cot Man for his question on the previous Blog entry. Aaron Reza is currently off the disabled list and has rejoined the team here in Salem. Aaron was in the lineup Sunday when the game was cancelled due to rain. Reza did play three games in the Gulf Coast League in preparation for his return to Salem getting two hits in nine plate appearances.

Last night was another great outing for starter Stephen Fife. He is one of the reasons why the Sox are tied for second in the Carolina League in ERA with a 3.76 ERA. Fife threw four strikeouts and allowed only one run in last night's game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. In his 22.2 innings pitched he has a 1.99 ERA which leads all Salem Sox starters.

Stay tuned for more Salem Red Sox action and please keep the questions and comments coming!

Fife KO's Keys, Sox Take Series

2009-07-24T01:54:24Z

Sox pitcher Stephen Fife struck out seven opposing Keys batters in route to a Salem victory tonight. Fife began the game with a rough first inning where he allowed two runs, one of which was earned to put the Keys up 2-0. The Red Sox answered in the first and second innings with Mike Jones hitting an RBI single to right to bring home Zack Borowiak in the first and Negron and Lin bringing home two in the second inning off an RBI triple and single respectively. The Sox took a commanding 4-2 lead in the sixth inning when an insurance run scored on a fielding error by Frederick Keys second baseman Ryan Adams brought Jon Hee home from third. Fife ended his second straight strong outing pitching 5.2 innings scattering six hits and allowing no walks. The Salem bullpen also pitched exceptionally well with reliever Robert Coello pitchig 2.1 innings striking out five Keys and Loop delivering his second save in as many nights bringing his season total to 14. Tonight's win brings the Salem Red Sox second half record to 16-10 and extends their lead over second place Myrtle Beach, now 3.5 games behind the Sox.

Tomorrow begins a three game set against the North Division leaders the Potomac Nationals. The Mayberry Deputy will be making an appearance tomorrow evening with the gates opening at 5:30pm. There will also be live music performed by Madrone and a mystery giveaway, which let me say is pretty awesome. Saturday the gates open at 4:30pm and the Zooperstars will be making an appearance as well as some great music performed by The Elderly Brothers. So make it out to the ballpark Friday and Saturday for some of the best promotions of the season and some great baseball as well! Have a great night and I'll see you at the ballpark!

Navarro Moves to Double-A, Hee Returns

2009-07-22T22:16:22Z

Salem Red Sox shortstop Yamaico Navarro has been promoted to Double-A Portland this afternoon and the Sox recieved infielder Jon Hee from Single-A Greenville. Navarro batted .319 with four homeruns and 17 RBI's during his time in Salem. His stint with the Salem Red Sox was cut short opening day when he suffered an apparent arm injury and he returned to the ballclub in late June. Jon Hee returns to Salem after spending the months of June and early July in Greenville. Hee played his first game with the Sox this season on May 1st and stayed with the team untilt the end of June. During his first stint in Salem Hee had an 11 game hitting streak early on before struggling mightily in the month of June.

The loss of Navarro creates an opportunity for Hee to return to Single-A Salem and recieve consistent at-bats and the opportunity to prove the month of June was a fluke, not the month of May. Navarro will join six former Salem Red Sox players in Double-A Portland including former Sox outfielders Ryan Kalish and Jason Place.

Tonight the Sox send Jose Capellan to hill to face the Keys. During Capellan's last start he pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless baseball allowing only three hits against the Dash on June 14th. He looked good in his last performance throwing almost exclusively a buffet of fastballs to to the Winston-Salem Dash. Tonight will be an opportunity for Capellan to prove that he deserves a spot in a rotation that currently features six starters (Weiland, Capellan, Fife, Price, Garrison and Portice).

Sox Rely on Pen to Stifle Opponents

2009-07-20T18:58:33Z

The Salem Red Sox don't dial 911 when there is an emergency, but call the bullpen to put out late inning fires at Salem Memorial Ballpark. The Salem bullpen has been dominant during the 2009 season with 2.28 ERA in the month of June and a 2.82 ERA in the month of July. All-Star Derrick Loop is still a dominate stopper for the Salem staff even without All-Star setup man Ryne Miller who was promoted the Double-A Portland to begin the month of July. Loop leads the Red Sox with 12 saves on the season and has eliminated opposing baserunners with his lethal pickoff move. Loop demonstrated his closing ability Friday night in Lynchburg pitching 3.0 innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five Hillcat batters.

The loss of South division All-Star MVP Ryne Miller has not impacted the bullpen because the Red Sox have more than two "All-Star" relievers. Flame throwing righty Jason Rice has overwhelmed Carolina League opposition this season leading Salem relievers in strikeouts with 68 in only 49.0 innings of work. Reliever Robert Coello has also bolstered the relief corps with his veteran experience. Coello has made 20 appearances this season and has held opposing batters to a .167 batting average in 42.0 innings. The bullpen has also received valuable assistance from a name many Red Sox fans will find familiar. Sidearming righty Josh Papelbon, has confounded batters this season by forcing batters to ground out air placing him fourth on the team in double plays and a 3.08 ERA.

The Salem Red Sox recently added a new arm to the pitching staff in lefty Armando Zerpa. The Caracas, Venezuela native was added to the pitching staff after excelling in Single-A Greenville pitching 42.0 innings and saving two games for the Drive. Zerpa is not the only new addition to the Red Sox bullpen; he is joined by former starter Dave McKae who has been working out of the pen after suffering an injury earlier this season.

The Sox return home Tuesday at 7:05pm to face Northern division rival, the Frederick Keys. Tuesday's game is the first of a six-game homestand against the Keys and Potomac Nationals.

Weiland's Magnificent Seven Lead Sox Over Blue Rocks

2009-07-11T01:57:30Z

The Sox took the first game of the three-game series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Starter Kyle Weiland pitched six strong innings strinking out seven Blue Rocks batters, three of which were set down in a row to end the sixth.

All-Star relievers Ryne Miller and Derrick Loop sealed the deal for the Salem Sox with the help of an Exposito single to lead off the seventh inning and a Lin RBI single to left to drive in the go-ahead run, Lin's second RBI in the game. Mike Jones helped the struggling Sox offense by adding two RBI's of his own with a two-run bomb to center in the fourth.

The Salem Red Sox welcomed home an old friend today in outfielder Daniel Nava. Nava immediately contributed to the Sox offensive output by launching a double into right during the fourth inning. Right-fielder Jason Place was promoted to Double-A Portland today. This move will allow former Golden League MVP Daniel Nava an opportunity to take advatange of increased plate appearances.

Tomorrow night is Awful Night at Salem Memorial Ballpark and it is going to be a blast! We will have an awesomely awful giveaway for the first 1,000 fans at the ballpark. We are also going to have a rocking live band perform and awful fireworks! So come on out to Salem Memorial Ballpark Saturday night for another great night of Sox baseball.

Kelly Pitcher of the Week, A Strong Outing for Weiland

2009-06-30T02:03:14Z

Casey Kelly has been named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week after a strong outing Saturday night tossing seven innings of one hit ball. Kelly's dominant performance against a strong Kinston lineup earned him Pitcher of the Week honors for the first time in his Salem Sox career. Kelly was also recently named to the 2009 XM Radio All-Star Futures game roster. He will be the only representative for Boston on the US roster and one of only two Carolina leaguers playing for the US squad.

Righty Kyle Weiland had another sparkling start for the Sox tonight. Coming into this evening's game Weiland had given up only one earned run in 22.0 innings in the month of June. Tonight he pitched 5.2 innings and struck out seven Hillcats. Weiland looked dominant from the start facing the minimum through three innings before stubbing his toe on a Jordy Mercer double to left in the fourth inning. Weiland also showed great resiliency in the fifth inning pitching his way out of a bases loaded no outs situation like a modern day Houdini.

The Salem Red Sox return home July 10th to face off against the Wilmington Blue Rocks at 7:05 PM. Stay tuned for more Sox news during the road trip. Have a great night!

Sox Update, Sweep to Start Second Half

2009-06-28T21:23:48Z

The Salem Sox sweep of the Kinston Indians last night continues their winning ways taking all three games from Kinston and winning 8 of their last 10 games. The Sox have also added several new faces for the second half and have welcomed home an injured sox player. Catcher Tim Federowicz, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder David Mailman have been added to the roster from Greenville. Mailman, Rizzo and Federowicz, all selected to the 2009 South Atlantic League All-Star game, add valuable depth to the roster and some powerful bats to the Salem arsenal. The Sox also welcome back shortstop Yamaico Navarro to anchor the infield and provide stability to a shaky defensive unit. Navarro had missed every game since Opening Day and the loss of the #9 Boston Red Sox prospect as selected by Baseball America hurt the Salem Sox defensively and offensively. Navarro's return means that Negron will be able to work off the bench fielding at shortstop and second base when called upon and veteran Zach Borowiak can move to third base permanently.

Last night the Salem Red Sox finished their three game sweep of the Kinston Indians. Pitcher Casey Kelly threw six perfect innings for the second time while wearing a Salem Red Sox jersey, the last time being 22 days ago against Frederick. He has a rebounded from a tough start to his Advanced-A career to regain his swagger on the mound after dominating hitters in the South Atlantic League. Kelly has pitched 30.0 innings in the month of June allowing only five earned runs.

The Salem Red Sox begin a two game homestand tonight against the first half Northern Division champion Lynchburg Hillcats. Monday night's game is at 7:05 PM and is a Dollar Monday promotion here at Salem Memorial Ballpark. So come on out to the ballpark and enjoy a great Salem Red Sox game and enjoy some dollar tickets and dogs!