Salem sweeps doubleheader from Kinston

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 16, 2007 1:47 PM

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KINSTON -- Salem did what no other team in Carolina League play has done this season -- sweep a doubleheader from defending champion Kinston.

Avalanche hurler Polin Trinidad, in his CL debut, just missed tossing a complete game in the opener -- a 3-2 victory. In the nightcap, Salem's Tim Torres crushed a third-inning home run, which led to a 13-6 rout on the Grainger Stadium diamond.

Kinston entered the day unbeaten in six doubleheaders. The K-Tribe's seven-game advantage in the Southern Division dropped to five heading into today's final contest in the six-game series.

In game one, Chris Gimenez and Matt Whitney each clubbed a solo home run. The K-Tribe managed just five hits against Trinidad, who notched seven strikeouts in a six-inning stint. Chris Blazek collected his sixth save of the season.

Kinston newcomer Dustin Realini batted 2-for-3 in the loss.

Salem (27-25) grabbed an 8-2 lead after three innings in the nightcap. Two costly errors ignited a four-run uprising in the second inning. Torres' three-RBI rip gave the Avalanche a commanding lead.

Whitney eventually homered a second time for the K-Tribe, which pounded out 10 hits. Whitney concluded the doubleheader with four hits, three homers and five RBI in seven official plate appearances.

Salem snapped a three-game losing streak and has now won eight of its last 11 outings. TheAvalanche, the Single A affiliate of the Houston Astros, hold a two-game advantage over third-place Myrtle Beach.

Kinston saw its modest three-game win streak end. The K-Tribe has already clinched a berth in the playoffs.