NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes

September 4, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


WINSTON-SALEM DASH (28-38, 56-80) at CAROLINA MUDCATS (20-46, 49-87)

Game 1: RHP Robinson Leyer vs. RHP Enderson Franco

Game 2: RHP Jordan Stephens vs. LHP Ryan Lawlor

4 p.m. (Doubleheader) - Five County Stadium (Zebulon, N.C.)

Game #137 & #138 (Road Game #67 & #68)

MUDCATS CRUISE PAST DASH IN OPENER

The Carolina Mudcats posted three multi-run innings in a 9-4 victory over Winston-Salem in Saturday's series opener inside Five County Stadium. Dash starter Kelvis Valerio allowed five runs in five innings before Taylore Cherry permitted four runs in the eighth, which followed back-to-back scoreless frames for the righty. Winston-Salem did muster a pair in the ninth, the club's only multi-run inning, but could not fully take advantage of 12 hits in the losing effort.

STRUGGLES WITH MEN ON BASE

Over their last three games dating back to Wednesday, the Dash have stranded 37 runners, their highest three-game total of the season. They matched their season-high in this category in their final two games at Salem (13) on Wednesday and Thursday before leaving 11 in the loss to the Mudcats on Saturday. In these three games, Winston-Salem has gone 12-for-49 (.245) with runners in scoring position.

QUICK TURNAROUND

Saturday began a sprint to the finish line for the Dash and Mudcats, two teams that will not suit up in the Carolina League postseason. Thanks to Friday's postponement, which brought about Sunday's doubleheader, this four-game series will almost certainly start and finish in less than 48 hours. Monday's regular season finale will begin at noon. Sunday marks the Dash's seventh doubleheader of the season. Even though they are just 4-8 in games within a twin bill, the Dash did sweep Carolina in a pair of seven-inning games at BB&T Ballpark on August 11.

AROUND THE SYSTEM

While the Dash will not be returning to the CL postseason, a White Sox affiliate has already punched its ticket. Short-season Great Falls, led by former Dash manager Tommy Thompson, has won 13 straight to earn a spot in the Pioneer League playoffs. Triple-A Charlotte must win its final two games against Gwinnett to advance to the International League playoffs.

STRIKEOUT KING

Right-hander Jordan Stephens will make his final start of 2016 on Saturday in Zebulon. In his last two starts, Stephens has fanned 21 batters over 10.0 innings, during which he has given up just two runs. In each of those outings, he has recorded a new career-high for strikeouts (10 on August 24 at Frederick; 11 on August 29 at Salem). Overall this season, Stephens has struck out 147, which is a single-season Dash-era record (2009-present). The previous record belonged to J.B. Wendelken, who whiffed 129 in 2014. Stephens also paces the Carolina League in strikeouts, while his 3.57 ERA is second-best among qualifiers.

WATCHING THE BATTING TITLE CHASE

Dash Year-End All-Stars Mason Robbins and Nick Basto are first and second, respectively, in batting average in the Carolina League. Should this remain the case, the Dash would have the top two hitters in the CL in batting average for the second time in five seasons (2012; Carlos Sanchez and Dan Black). Here are the three remaining contenders (Saturday's results):

1. Robbins - .316 (1-for-5)

2. Basto - .307 (2-for-5)

3. Frederick's Aderlin Rodriguez - .305 (2-for-5)

TOUGH SEASON

Winston-Salem has clinched its worst season in the Dash era (2009-present). The previous low-water mark came in 2014, when the club posted a 61-78 (.439) record. However, that season, the Dash finished last in the Carolina League in overall record. This year, Winston-Salem will finish ahead of both Wilmington and Carolina no matter what the result of the final three games.

DASH DOTS

In addition to leading the CL in average, Robbins also stands atop the circuit in hits with 157, nine more than second-place Rodriguez...Cleuluis Rondon is riding a season-long six-game hitting streak, during which he is 10-for-23...He went 1-for-4 in Saturday's opener at Carolina.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...

Carolina League Stories from September 4, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central