November 9, 2001

Castillo Pitches Salem to Victory

SALEM, NH - Frank Castillo gave his Salem Cowtippers teammates seven strong innings
today, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk.  Combined with Damian Jack-
son's shocking hot streak, that was enough to give the Cowtippers a crucial win
in this best-of-seven OL Division Series against the Gillette Swamp Rats.

Jackson's two-run blast in the second inning put Salem ahead early.  For Jackson,
it was only his fourth home run this year, and it couldn't have come at a better
time.

Castillo gave one of those runs back in the third when Johnny Damon smacked a two-
out RBI triple.  Castillo then walked Rafael Furcal, who stole his way to second.
But Castillo beared down and got the dangerous Darrin Fletcher to pop out to short
to end the threat with two runners stranded in scoring position.

In the fourth, Jackson struck again, hitting a single with one out.  He advanced to
second on a sac bunt by Castillo, then scored on a single by Jason Kendall.  Kendall
then scored on a base hit by Jeff Kent, giving Salem a 4-1 lead. 

A solo shot by Fletcher made it a 4-2 game in the sixth.  Gillette then mounted a
rally in the eighth after Castillo left the game.  Adam Bernero, relieving for
Castillo, walked two batters with one out, putting runners on first and second.
Mike Myers then got Fletcher to fly out to left, and Derek Lowe did the same 
against pinch hitter Andres Galarraga.  Keith Foulke then closed out the ninth,
striking out two of the four batters he faced.

"Frankie gave us a helluva effort today," said Salem pitching coach Rick Reuschel.
"He spotted the ball well, moved in and out, mixed up his velocities, and basically
just kept them guessing the whole game."

"Our pitching won this game for us," said Salem manager Mike Glander.  "We had 
trouble coming up with hits when we needed them today.  Fortunately, D-Jack picked
up the slack for our big men and came through with that big home run."

Salem now heads to Gillette for Game Three.