Blue Rocks' Pitching Befuddles Winston-Salem
Published on May 3, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WILMINGTON, Del. (May 3, 2015) - Three Wilmington pitchers combined to permit just one run on four hits in the Blue Rocks' 4-1 victory over Winston-Salem in a Sunday matinee from Frawley Stadium.
The Dash (11-12) pushed across an unearned run in the fifth, but that proved to be their lone run against the strong Blue Rocks' trio of Alec Mills (1-1), Benino Pruneda and Estarlin Cordero. Mills spun five strong innings, with his lone hiccup a result of three Blue Rocks errors in the fifth. Keenyn Walker singled with one out. Walker stole second base before advancing to third base and then home plate on two separate errors.
Walker's fifth-inning single was Winston-Salem's last hit of the contest. Both Pruneda and Cordero recorded two hitless frames to earn a hold and save, respectively.
Wilmington (12-11) pitching logged 13 strikeouts, the highest number from Winston-Salem in a single game this season. After averaging just 5.9 strikeouts in their first 19 games, the Dash have endured 47 punchouts in the last four contests, which averages to almost 12 per game.
James Dykstra (3-1) did not enjoy as much success on the bump. The Blue Rocks tagged Dykstra for two runs in the first inning on consecutive RBI doubles from Frank Schwindel and Zane Evans.
An error helped the Blue Rocks replicate that offensive showing in the third. Evans, who finished with four hits, blasted another RBI double, and Dominique Taylor completed the Blue Crew's scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Dykstra did settle down to breeze through the fourth and fifth frames, but the damage was done. The former sixth-round pick entered Sunday with the best WHIP (0.52) and 10th-best ERA (0.78) in the Minor Leagues, but he surrendered four runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings. Still, Dykstra boasts a 0.68 WHIP and 1.29 ERA.
Winston's bullpen shined in the losing effort. Jose Brito retired all six men he faced, and Andre Wheeler stranded a runner in scoring position during a scoreless eighth.
Both Walker and Adam Engel added to their league-leading stolen base totals. Each swiped a bag to give them 13 apiece. They are both in the top 10 in the Minors in that category.
Thus, the Dash eye a four-game split in Monday's series finale from Delaware. It will be a battle of southpaws as Jace Fry (1-3, 2.49 ERA) toes the rubber for Winston-Salem against Eric Skoglund (1-1, 2.25 ERA). Pregame coverage begins on wsdash.com/broadcast at 6:20 p.m. for a first pitch at 6:35 p.m.
The Dash return home next Friday, May 8, for a five-game, four-day series with division rival Myrtle Beach. The fun begins Friday at 7 p.m. with postgame fireworks before a doubleheader on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. For tickets to the Dash's next homestand, visit wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2015
- Nationals Overcome by Red Sox 10-6 in Sunday Showdown - Potomac Nationals
- Red Sox Rack up 13 Hits, Rout Nationals 10-6 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Mudcats Stay Hot with 13-3 Home Win - Carolina Mudcats
- McKinney, Skulina Star in Pelicans' Third Straight Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Mudcats Use Late Runs to Beat Keys 13-3 - Frederick Keys
- Early Offense and Good Pitching Is Successful Formula in 4-1 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Drop Pitchers Duel - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Blue Rocks' Pitching Befuddles Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hillcats Game Notes May 3, 2015, 2 p.m. vs. Myrtle Beach - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (May 3 at Wilmington) - Winston-Salem Dash
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