MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – With a crucial four-game series beginning at BB&T Coastal Field, it was the struggling Salem Red Sox who gained the upper hand early and never looked back, strangling the Pelicans’ offense en route to a doubleheader sweep.

Having lost 13 of 14 entering the night, Salem took game one 3-2 behind a pair of home runs and let out some offensive frustration in an 10-1 game two victory before 4,708 at BB&T Coastal Field.

After having scored just six runs over a five-game losing streak entering the series, the Red Sox got an early lead in the second inning of game one with a leadoff Mike Jones double followed by a two-run Chih-Hsien Chiang homer. Tim Federowicz led off the fourth with a solo home run for Salem. Pelicans starter Erik Cordier (6-5) was charged with all three runs over six innings. Following starter Seth Garrison, Red Sox reliever Armando Zerpa (1-2) picked up the victory with three innings of shutout relief. Cody Johnson crushed his Carolina League-leading 27th home run leading off the bottom of the second, but the Pelicans’ best chance came against Garrison in the bottom of the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs. Benji Johnson worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home Michael Fisher and cut the Salem lead to 3-2, but that was all the Pelicans would plate with Randy Gress striking out to end the threat.

In game two, Salem wasted no time getting on top. Che-Hsuan Lin led off the game with a double and scored two batters later on a Federowicz RBI single. In the third, Lin led off with a single and scored three batters later when Jones reached on a fielder’s choice. David Mailman and Jered Stanley drove home runs in the inning as well. The Red Sox put the nail in Myrtle Beach’s coffin by sending nine men to the plate in a four-run fifth, the biggest blow of the inning coming on a two-out, bases-clearing double by Luis Segovia, driving home three and opening an 8-1 gap. Pelicans’ southpaw Edgar Osuna (3-5), in his first start in a Pelicans uniform since May 29, was charged with seven earned runs while allowing eight total over four and two-thirds. The Red Sox added two more off Michael Broadway in the sixth. Josh Papelbon (4-1) picked up the victory for Salem with three and a third innings of scoreless relief.

The four-game series continues Wednesday night at 7:05 at BB&T Coastal Field. Salem will send right-hander Kyle Weiland (3-9, 3.78) to oppose Myrtle Beach’s Brandon Beachy (2-2, 2.72). Wednesday night is Locks of Love night at BB&T Coastal Field. The charitable organization will be on hand accepting hair donations to be made into wigs for children with cancer or monetary donations for the cause. Tickets for all Pelicans home games are available at the BB&T Coastal Field box office, by calling (843)918-6000 or by visiting the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.