Ciolli's Inside-The-Park Grand Slam Leads Dash
Published on August 2, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (AUGUST 2, 2011) - Propelled by Nick Ciolli's third inning inside-the-park grand slam, the Dash scored six straight runs in Tuesday night's ballgame at BB&T Ballpark and beat Wilmington 6-4 for the Dash's seventh straight victory. Coupled with Kinston's loss, Winston extended its lead for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division to three games.
Ciolli stepped in with the bases loaded and two outs in the third. After falling in a two-strike hole, he drew the count full and hit a towering drive off the top of the tall wall in right-center field. The base runners scored easily, and Ciolli stepped on home ahead of a relay throw from right field. The inside-the-park home run was the first in BB&T Ballpark history, and the third grand slam hit in the second-year stadium. Before Tuesday, Drew Garcia hit one on May 8, 2010 and Wilmington's John Whittleman had a grand slam earlier this season on April 24.
Wilmington (14-23, 50-56) got on the board first in Tuesday's series opener. Against Dash starter Cameron Bayne, Ryan Stovall doubled to lead off the second inning. Yem Prades then hit his third home run of the season, and second off Bayne, to put the Blue Rocks up 2-0.
The Dash (21-15, 53-53) loaded the bases in the first inning but couldn't score and put a runner in scoring position in the second and came up empty. In the third, Tyler Saladino singled to start the frame, and moved to second when Jared Mitchell walked. Rocks starter Tyler Sample then set down the next two batters before issuing a free pass to Juan Silverio. Ciolli stepped in, cleared the bases, and scored on the inside-the-park grand slam.
Winston added insurance in the fourth and fifth. Daniel Wagner reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. He then stole second and moved to third on an error by second baseman Whit Merrifield. Mitchell later drove Wagner home with a single to put the Dash up 5-2.
In the fifth, Silverio reached on an infield single with one out and moved to second when Ciolli walked. Mike Blanke followed with a double to left field, scoring Silverio and extended the lead to four.
The Blue Rocks chipped away part of the deficit in the sixth. Stovall singled to start the inning, and advanced to third when Prades followed suit with a base-knock. Tim Ferguson then drove in Stovall with a sacrifice fly to center field. After Jose Bonilla doubled to put runners at second and third, Gerard Hall drove in Prades with a groundout to put the score at 6-4.
Despite putting the tying run at first base in the top of the ninth, reliever Taylor Thompson struck out Nick Van Stratten to end the ballgame and secure his 13th save, and Winston's seventh straight victory. Bayne (10-4) picked up the win after allowing four runs (all earned) on nine hits in seven innings. Sample (6-9) was hit with the loss; he allowed six earned runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings.
Notes:
The win continued Winston-Salem's season-high winning streak of seven games, and moved the overall record to .500 (53-53) for the first time since April 20... Dash base runners stole a season-high three bases in the ballgame... Before Tuesday, Winston-Salem was the only team in the Carolina League without a grand slam... Wilmington now leads the league in grand slams allowed with three.
Winston-Salem and Wilmington continue the three-game series on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark. The first-place Dash send out RHP Jake Petricka (2-4, 4.66) against LHP Justin Marks (5-8, 4.73).
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from August 2, 2011
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- DiFazio Blasts Pelicans by Indians - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Errors, Late Homer Too Much for 'Cats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Cioli's Inside-The-Park Grand Slam Beats Blue Rocks - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Ciolli's Inside-The-Park Grand Slam Leads Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hernandez' Brilliance Buries Nationals 3-0 - Salem RidgeYaks
- P-Nats Get Two-Hit in Salem - Potomac Nationals
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Melville Wins Pitcher of the Week Honors - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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