Salem Red Sox

You sort of had to wonder when the Sox would suffer their first loss of the season and though they were chasing an historic Carolina League consecutive win record on Wednesday night; they fell just short to the Winston-Salem Dash, 4-2.

Once a Wahoo, now a key component in the Red Sox organization; Reed Gragnani not only brings elite collegiate experience to the diamond but he brings an unmatched work ethic evolved from constant competition and education.

Freshly cut grass, perfectly groomed dirt and the fumes of a full grill justified the sense of Opening Day for the Roanoke Valley.

Dane's back with Salem Red Sox recaps for the summer with his baseball column "Salem Sox Insider." Today he's giving us the inside scoop with media day!

"One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something." –Nolan Ryan

On Wednesday night Salem Red Sox fans got to witness their first playoff game since 2009. With home field advantage and a healthy amount of momentum overflowing from the regular season, the Sox were able to nip the wings of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

After getting romped on by Salem last night (Thursday) 10-1, the Red Sox picked right back up where they left off on Friday evening with superb batting and impeccable defense.

Bringing it all back home to Salem on Wednesday evening for a double-header, Salem had the opportunity to give the hometown fans something to enjoy in their last regular-season home stand of the 2013 campaign.

Generating yet another early rally proved to be the key to beating Carolina again Tuesday in game four; winning the series three games to one.

After splitting the double-header, a game apiece, on a dreary Sunday, Salem came into Monday under “must-win” circumstances, like most of August, with only fourteen days left in the Carolina League season.