Curtis Walk-Off Blast in 11th Puts Dash Back in First Place
September 3, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Winston-Salem, NC - John Curtis hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning to give Winston-Salem a 7-5 victory over Salem in the series finale on Thursday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park. It was the first long ball of the year for Curtis and it ignited a bench-clearing celebration at home plate as the Dash took over sole possession of first place in the Southern Division.
It also helped Winston-Salem bounce back after wasting a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Down 5-3 entering the final frame, Anthony Rizzo led off with a double against newly inserted closer Santo Luis. One out later, Tim Federowicz launched a two-run home run that knotted the game at five. For Luis, it was his league-high 9th blown save of the season. It was also his 11th home run allowed, with 10 surrendered at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
The game winnings rally in the 11th began against reliever Chad Povich when Tyler Kuhn doubled with one out. Curtis followed with a blast off the base of the scoreboard in right field. Povich (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season while Nate Jones (2-1) worked a scoreless top of tenth to collect the win.
The Dash jumped out to an early lead with a pair of runs off Seth Garrison in the first inning. Dale Mollenhauer led off with a walk and Greg Paiml executed a bunt single. Both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball and Salvador Sanchez plated Mollenhauer with an infield single. Brent Morel, who was recently honored as a Carolina League Postseason All-Star, followed with an RBI single down the right field line to put Winston-Salem in front 2-0.
Justin Greene led off the second inning with a double that was misplayed by left fielder David Mailman which allowed Greene to go to third. Tyler Kuhn contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly to deep center that extended the Dash lead to three.
Salem put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the third as John Hee delivered an RBI ground out and Ryan Dent scored on a wild pitch from Dylan Axelrod. Winston-Salem would push their lead back to three in the bottom of frame as Sanchez pounded a run-scoring double and Morel added an RBI ground out. Zach Borowiak smacked a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to bring the Red Sox within 5-3. The score remained that way until the ninth.
Both starting pitcher did not factor in the decision as Garrison was lifted following the fourth inning after he surrendered five runs on seven hits with three walks. Axelrod was solid in his six innings of work as he held the Red Sox to three runs (two earned) on five hits.
The Dash travels to Myrtle Beach for the final series of the regular season when they take on the Pelicans in a four-game set over the holiday weekend at BB&T Coastal Field. The opener is Friday night and Winston-Salem will hand the ball to LHP Justin Edwards (6-2, 3.91), while Myrtle Beach is expected to start RHP Jacob Thompson (5-4, 3.78). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The first-half Southern Division champion Winston-Salem Dash will host games one and two of the first round of the playoffs at Wake Forest Baseball Park on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Advanced tickets are only $5 and can be purchased by calling 336-714-2287 or visiting www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from September 3, 2009
- Federowicz Blast Ties It, But Salem Falls In 11 - Salem Red Sox
- Curtis Walk-Off Blast in 11th Puts Dash Back in First Place - Winston-Salem Dash
- Offensive Outburst Lifts Cats Past P-Nats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Crooked Numbers Doom Nats in Loss to Cats - Potomac Nationals
- Kinston Falls Short, But Stays Tied for Final Playoff Spot - Kinston Indians
- Frederick Closes Out Home Schedule on Winning Note - Frederick Keys
- Top-10 Prospect Sent to Rangers in Two-For-One Deal - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Dash Pair Garner Caroline League Postseason Accolades - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Notes for Thursday at Frederick - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats Host Benefit for Hannah Johnson - Lynchburg Hillcats
- P-Nats Picked for Postseason All-Star Squad - Potomac Nationals
- Widlansky Named Player of the Month - Frederick Keys
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