Mudcats socked early by Red Sox in 10-4 loss

SALEM, VA – The Salem Red Sox scored six runs in the first two innings and defeated the Carolina Mudcats 10-4 on Friday night at LewisGale Field. Salem improves to 40-27, and remain two games back of Winston-Salem with two games left in the first half.

Brandon Workman (4-3) held the Mudcats (31-37) to one run while scattering three hits over six innings. Michael Gleason tossed the final three frames for his second save, despite allowing three runs.

Salem knocked around Carolina starter Mike Rayl (4-7) for six runs in two innings. Brandon Jacobs got the Sox on the board with a two-run homer to left in the first inning. Travis Shaw highlighted a four-run second inning with a bases loaded single that scored two runs.

Reliever Jordan Cooper tossed four middle innings for Carolina. The right-hander allowed a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts for an 8-0 Salem lead. He allowed a total of three runs on six hits.

Ronny Rodriguez helped the Mudcats breakup the shut out in the fifth inning thanks to a lead-off triple. Carlos Moncrief scored the short stop on a ground ball to second. Rodriguez finished the night with a pair of hits.

Jesus Aguilar cracked his first home run since May 3 in the seventh inning. The two-run shot cut the deficit to six at 9-3.

Anthony Gallas finished the scoring for Carolina with a two-out, ninth inning homer.

Shaw had four hits, two RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored for the Sox.

The Mudcats continue their series at Salem on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. ET.