SALEM, VA – The game between the Winston-Salem Warthogs and Salem Avalanche on Thursday night was suspended after six scoreless innings due to rain.  The rain intensified as Salem put runners on first and third with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Warthogs starting pitcher Matt Long got Cesar Quintero to hit a short fly ball to right that Salvador Sanchez was able to snag on a full sprint to end the inning.  The game was suspended immediately after the catch as a downpour ensued. 

The suspended game will be resumed as part of a doubleheader when the Warthogs return to Salem on Friday, May 30.  A full nine-inning game will follow approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the suspended game, which will start at 6 p.m.  

Long and Salem southpaw Douglas Arguello were in the midst of a pitcher’s duel when the game was called.  Arguello kept the Warthogs hitless until Francisco Hernandez led off the sixth inning with an infield single.  It was the lone hit for Winston-Salem as Arguello tallied season-high seven strikeouts. 

Salem produced the best scoring threat in the first inning by putting runners on the corners with one out, but Long was able to induce an inning-ending double play from Jimmy Van Ostrand to avert the threat.  This is the second suspended game for the Warthogs this season.  The Opening Day contest at Kinston was halted in the bottom of third inning due to a power outage and will be continued as part of a doubleheader when Winston-Salem returns to Grainger Stadium on May 23. 

The Warthogs and Avalanche will relocate to Ernie Shore Field in Winston-Salem for the final three games of this four-game set beginning on Friday at 7 p.m.    The Warthogs will send RHP Michael Dubee (3-1, 3.35) to the mound and Salem will counter with RHP Corey Bass (0-2, 4.64).