Crazy Eights: Dash Recovers to Top Kinston
Published on July 26, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (JULY 26, 2010) - The Dash overcame a blown save in the top of the eighth inning with five runs in the bottom half to run away from Kinston 7-2 on Monday night at BB&T Ballpark. Luis Sierra hit two home runs and drove in four to power the Winston-Salem offense and take the first game of the series.
Starters Dylan Axelrod and Austin Adams stymied both offenses over the first half of the game, as each pitcher held the other lineup in check. The Dash (16-14, 59-41) struck first in the bottom of the fifth against Adams. Sierra stroked an opposite field two-run home run to left to give Winston a 1-0 lead.
The score held, as Axelrod pierced through the K-Tribe (12-17, 48-51) order. He was assisted by a big double play to end the seventh inning after two men reached base with one out.
Newly promoted reliever Brandon Kloess came in to pitch the eighth, an inning that has beguiled the Dash bullpen in each of the last four games. Winston-Salem gave up ten runs in the eighth inning on Sunday and two runs in the eighth on both Friday and Saturday.
The troubling trend continued, as the first two men reached on an error and a walk before Kloess retired the next two batters. Jeremie Tice, who had been 0 for 3 with three strikeouts, then stroked a base hit to left, scoring two men to tie the game.
Rather than appear deflated by yet another tough eighth inning, the Winston offense looked inspired by the opportunity to pick up its beleaguered bullpen. With Marty Popham pitching his third inning of relief, Jon Gilmore led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third base on a groundout. Ozzie Lewis was then intentionally walked to set up a potential inning-ending double play.
Jose Martinez proceeded to pop up the first pitch he saw into the right field bullpen. Rather than let the ball drop foul, Abner Abreu ran hard to make the catch. Unfortunately, his hustle hurt the K-Tribe, as Gilmore tagged from third and scored to give Winston-Salem the lead. Lewis moved to second when Abreu threw home.
The floodgates broke open for the Dash offense following Abreu's mistake. Logan Johnson singled to on a hard-hit ball to the second baseman. Lewis, running hard, scored from second base to make it 4-2 Winston. Kenny Williams, Jr., who was activated off the disabled list earlier in the day, doubled home Johnson. Sierra followed with a titanic blast that cleared the 25-foot wall in right-center field. His second two-run homer of the ballgame put the Dash on top 7-2.
Tyson Corley pitched a perfect ninth inning, preserving the first Carolina League win for Kloess (1-0), who also was charged with a blown save. Popham (1-4) gave up all five eighth-inning runs for the loss.
The win improved Winston-Salem to 8-0 against Kinston at BB&T Ballpark. The Dash has won four home games against the Indians in its last team at bat.
It was Sierra's first career two-home run game. The Colombian went 3 for 4 with a season-high-tying four runs batted in. Williams went 2 for 4 in his first game off the D.L. to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
The series continues on Tuesday night, when RHP Nate Jones (7-3, 4.62) opposes LHP T.J. McFarland (9-2, 2.59). McFarland is tied for the Carolina League lead in wins and ranks second in ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the audio broadcast begins at 6:45 on www.wsdash.com .
Fans may purchase tickets for every Dash game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visiting www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from July 26, 2010
- Hillcats Homers Overwhelm Keys - Frederick Keys
- Dening Leads Salem Past Myrtle Beach 5-4 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Potomac Blows Away Blue Crew in Series Opener - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Beat Rolls on for Red Sox Against Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Crazy Eights: Dash Recovers to Top Kinston - Winston-Salem Dash
- Cats Bash Way to Win Over Keys - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Rosenbaum Pitches Nats into First Place - Potomac Nationals
- Winston-Salem Scores Late, Beats Kinston 7-2 - Kinston Indians
- Paukovits Named CL Pitcher of the Week - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Williams Activated off Disabled List - Winston-Salem Dash
- IF Josh Johnson and RHP Brad Peacock Promoted - Potomac Nationals
- Back-To-Back: Tyler Moore Named Carolina League Player of the Week - Potomac Nationals
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.
