Cooper Whiffs Career-High 12 in Complete Game Loss
May 27, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Winston-Salem starter Matt Cooper struck out a career-high 12 over eight innings, but the Potomac Nationals scratched across a pair of runs en route to a 2-0 victory in Friday's series opener at Pfitzner Stadium.
Cooper (2-4) needed only 89 pitches in the longest complete game by a Dash pitcher since Tony Bucciferro's nine-inning gem at Frederick on July 20, 2014. Cooper finished six of his career-high eight innings with a strikeout, and he ripped off six whiffs in a row from the sixth to the eighth.
The former University of Hawaii star fell one strikeout shy of the single-game record in the Dash era (2009-present). J.B. Wendelken punched out 13 Frederick Keys on July 30, 2014, at BB&T Ballpark. Now with the Athletics organization, Wendelken earned his first career promotion to the Major Leagues earlier this month.
With his 12-strikeout gem, Cooper has now amassed a Minor League-leading 75 on the year. Cooper has logged 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings during his first season as a professional starter.
However, Potomac (25-20) did tag Cooper for a run in both the second and fourth. In his first game back from the disabled list, Drew Ward tattooed a solo shot with one down in the second for his eighth long ball of the year. Osvaldo Abreu and Jose Marmolejos delivered back-to-back singles in the fourth, and a Dale Carey double play chased home Abreu to make it 2-0.
The Dash (17-32) scattered five hits and only pushed one man to third base. Potomac starter Greg Ross (2-2) blanked Winston-Salem over seven innings, during which he struck out four. Winston did muster two decent scoring chances against Ross. Mason Robbins lined out with men at the edges in the third, while Brett Austin struck out with runners at first and second one frame later.
Out of the bullpen, Robert Benincasa blazed through a perfect eighth for a hold before Ryan Brinley submitted a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save.
As a result, Winston-Salem has dropped four in a row and now stands below .500 on the road at 12-13. The Dash suffered their sixth shutout loss of the campaign.
The Dash will attempt to even this four-game series on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. from Pfitzner Stadium. Winston-Salem will send Thad Lowry (3-3, 4.22 ERA) to the bump against fellow right-hander Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.77 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday, June 1, for a seven-game homestand against the Carolina Mudcats (Atlanta Braves) and Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals). The fun includes a postgame fireworks show, presented by AT&T, on Friday, June 3, and an All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night on Tuesday, June 7. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com for tickets.
Carolina League Stories from May 27, 2016
- Edgerton and Povse Lead the Way in 3-1 Carolina Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Ross' Gem Highlights Potomac's 2-0 Victory - Potomac Nationals
- Keys Leave 10 on Base in 3-1 Loss - Frederick Keys
- Cooper Whiffs Career-High 12 in Complete Game Loss - Winston-Salem Dash
- 'Cats Claim Series Opener against Salem, 6-1 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Stinnett's Seven Innings Not Enough in 3-1 Loss to Blue Rocks - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Three Errors Sink Salem at Lynchburg - Salem Red Sox
- Pitching Carries Rocks to 3-1 Series Opening Victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- May 27 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- C Cael Brockmeyer assigned to Double-A Tennessee - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (May 27 at Potomac) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Potomac Nationals 2016 Game Notes vs. Winston-Salem Dash - Potomac Nationals
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