K-Tribe comeback stuns Avalanche

Published in Sports on July 12, 2007 1:49 PM

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SALEM, Va. -- Nathan Panther and Josh Rodriguez delivered timely back-to-back hits in the eighth inning, and helped Kinston claim a come-from-behind 7-4 victory over Salem.

Panther's pinch-hit, RBI double scored Matt Whitney and forged a 4-4 deadlock. Rodriguez (3-for-4) smashed a two-RBI triple to left field, which brought home John Drennen and Panther. The K-Tribe led 6-4.

Jose Constanza capped the four-run uprising with an RBI single.

Kinston relied heavily on its bullpen after starter Steve Wright took a line-drive shot on the right shoulder in the opening inning. Jim Deters surrendered two earned runs in three innings, while Matt Meyer helped the K-Tribe escape a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. Meyer provided two innings of no-hit, four-strikeout relief.

Chris Niesel seized his first win with two scoreless innings behind Meyer. In the ninth, Scott Roehl retired the Avalanche side on strikeouts and recorded his Carolina League-leading 14th save.

Samuel Gervacio (1-3) blew the save opportunity for Salem.

The teams continue their four-game series tonight.