With an 8 - 2 road victory over Winston-Salem Monday, High A affiliate Salem posted their 13th consecutive victory, and thus matched the third best win streak in Carolina League history.
The win over the Warthogs also clinched the Carolina League Southern Division second-half championship for the Avalanche.
After finishing in last place during the first half with a 32 - 38 record, the Avs have gone 43 - 20 in the second half, while they has picked up eight games on second-place Kinston during their 13-game streak.
Salem has definitely been keyed by their pitching; they've held opponents to a .308 OBP in August and have managed a 1.19 staff WHIP. An individual of note is staff ace (and member of the 40-man) Jimmy Barthmaier, who has won his last six decisions and has got a 19-inning scoreless streak going.
Salem becomes the fourth Astros affiliate to guarantee themselves a playoff berth this year, after Round Rock did so this past weekend. The Carolina League playoffs will start at Salem September 6, as the Avs will host first half Southern Div champions Kinston.
Salem can take over sole position of third place on the Carolina League's win streak charts with a victory tonight in the opener of their four-game home set with Wilmington. A sweep of the series will give them 17 straight, which would be the longest streak in league history. Something to follow, just in case Willy is frustrated tonight.
More details on Salem's victory can be read both at Roanoake.com and at Minor League Baseball.com
Next to clinch a playoff spot could be Tri-City, who have a four game lead over Oneonta in the New York Penn League Stedler Division with ten to go, including a game tonight head to head.
But it's tomorrow's game at Troy that I want to call your attention to, as Tri-City and Brooklyn (a Mets affiliate) have decided to pick up on the '80's nostalgia, and play a game in retro uniforms inspired by those worn by their parent teams in the 1986 NLCS:
Tri-City's website says they're going to auction off a uniform after the game.