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Winston-Salem Dash

WINSTON-SALEM DASH: Stephens Strikes out Career-High 10 in Loss To

August 24, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


FREDERICK, Md. - Despite a career-high 10 strikeouts from Dash starter Jordan Stephens, a two-run home run by Aderlin Rodriguez helped Frederick eek out a 2-0 win over Winston-Salem on Wednesday night at NYMEO Field.

Because Myrtle Beach won 2-1 against the Carolina Mudcats in 10 innings at Five County Stadium on Wednesday, Winston-Salem has been eliminated from postseason play. This marks just the fourth season in the Dash era (2009-present) in which the team has missed the playoffs.

Stephens (6-10), making his team-leading 25th start of the season, baffled the Keys through five innings. Nine of his last eleven outs were recorded via strikeouts, including a span in which Stephens registered seven straight outs by punchouts. The 23-year-old currently leads the Carolina League in this category with 136, which is 14 more than the next closest competitor in Myrtle Beach's Trevor Clifton. Prior to Wednesday's start, Stephens career-high in a single game was nine strikeouts, which he had accomplished twice this season.

Unfortunately, the former Rice Owl's lone blemish in the first proved to be the difference. With a runner on first and two outs, Rodriguez blasted a two-run home run to left to put the Keys (28-30, 64-64) up 2-0. Rodriguez ranks second in the league with 22 homers. Stephens ultimately allowed two hits and two runs, while walking two batters.

That ended up being more than enough for Frederick starter David Richardson (4-6). The righty went seven innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. The 25-year-old also had a no-hitter through 5.1 frames, but Cleuluis Rondon broke up the bid with a single to center in the sixth inning. Regardless, Richardson faced just one more than the minimum in his outing.

Garrett Cortright relieved Richardson and, after a scoreless eighth, ran into trouble in the ninth. With one out, Rondon and Landon Lassiter hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second. Cortright worked out of it though, inducing a game-ending double play from Gerson Montilla to pick up his sixth save of the season.

Despite the loss, the Dash (25-33, 53-75) bullpen shined. Southpaw Aaron Bummer, making his second appearance at the High-A level, threw two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Right-hander Yelmison Peralta followed with a 1-2-3 frame in the eighth.

The Dash round out their three-game road series against the Keys on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Winston-Salem sends left-hander Tanner Banks (6-3, 4.09 ERA) to the hill against Frederick righty Franderlin Romero (6-4, 5.70 ERA). The Pregame Dash begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can tune in on 600 AM-WSJS, wsjs.com and the TuneIn Radio App.

#YourHomeTeam returns home for its final homestand of the season when the Dash square off with the Carolina Mudcats from August 26-28. The three-day stretch includes our last Fireworks Friday, presented by PTI Airport, and Lowes Foods Family Sunday. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from August 24, 2016


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