Dash Survive Marathon, Defeat Pelicans 6-5 in Extras
Published on July 18, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Myrtle Beach, SC - It took nearly four and a half hours, but Winston-Salem survived to defeat Myrtle Beach 6-5 in 11 innings in the series opener on Saturday night at BB&T Coastal Field. Dash center fielder Salvador Sanchez delivered an RBI sacrifice fly that scored Brett Morel in the top of the 11th inning in what proved to be the game-winning run.
The Pelicans threatened in the bottom of the 11th, but Santo Luis (4-4) worked out of the jam to preserve the victory. Luis surrendered a leadoff walk followed by a single which eventually led to runners on second and third with one out. The Dash closer induced a ground ball back to the mound for the second out and got Robert Marcial to fly out to end the game. The victory lifted Winston-Salem to 4-4 in extra-innings contests and 20-11 in one-run games.
It didn't' start pretty for the Dash as starting pitcher Gregory Infante struggled with his control in the first inning and it led to a Pelicans run. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases for Gerry Rodriguez, who bounced a single through the left side of the infield to give Myrtle Beach a 1-0 lead.
Infante retired the first two batters of the second inning, before his lack of control became a factor again. He walked Cole Miles and Donell Linares before hitting Cody Johnson with a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Back-to-back walks to Ernesto Mejia and Gerry Rodriguez forced two runs across and put the Pelicans in front 3-0.
Infante (0-1), who walked seven batters in his last start, only lasted 1.2 innings and allowed three runs on one hit with six walks. He also hit two batters, but did not factor in the decision.
The Dash rally began in the top of the fifth inning when second baseman Dale Mollenhauer, who finished with a season-high four hits, led off with a single and shortstop Greg Paiml was hit by a pitch. After a ground ball out moved the runners to second and third, Morel lined a two-run single to bring the Dash within a run. Next, designated hitter Seth Loman was hit by a pitch and Sanchez hit a pop fly on the infield that was dropped by Linares at third base which allowed Morel to score from second to knot the score at three.
Winston-Salem snared their first lead of the game in the sixth inning with Pelicans starting pitcher Cole Rohrbough on the mound. Right fielder Kyle Shelton drew a one-out walk and Mollenahuer followed with a single. A ground out by Paiml advanced both runners into scoring position and first baseman Jimmy Gallagher delivered a two-run double to give the Dash a 5-3 lead.
The Pelicans rallied back with a run in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Cody Johnson and they evened the score at five in the seventh inning on a suicide squeeze bunt laid down by Robert Marcial.
The game-winning rally began when Morel doubled to deep left field of Craig Kimbrel to lead off the 11th. A wild pitch advanced him to third. After Kent Gerst struck out, Sanchez lifted a shallow fly ball that was caught on the run by Pelicans right fielder Chris Shehan. Morel tagged from third and broke for the plate and was beaten by the throw, but managed to slip under the tag of Myrtle Beach catcher Benji Johnson for the go-ahead score. Kimbrel (0-1) was pinned for his first loss of the season.
The Dash and Pelicans will meet up in game two of this three-game series on Sunday night at BB&T Coastal Field. Winston-Salem will send RHP Jacob Rasner (3-0, 2.89) to the mound in the opener, while Myrtle Beach will counter with former two-time major league all-star RHP Tim Hudson (0-0, ---), who is making his first rehab start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Dash has introduced a new three-game champion plan. This is the only way to get the best seats for the playoffs before they go on sale to the general public. The three-game champion plan includes our three remaining fireworks games on July 24th, August 7th and September 3rd. Each plan comes with a FREE souvenir Dash hat. Purchase your three-game plan by July 17th and receive a FREE playoff ticket to the first playoff game in Dash history on September 9th. Single-game tickets can be purchased online at www.wsdash.com or by calling the Dash office at (336) 714-2287.
Carolina League Stories from July 18, 2009
- Dash Survive Marathon, Defeat Pelicans 6-5 in Extras - Winston-Salem Dash
- Myrtle Beach unable to capitalize on late-inning ralies - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Wilmington Arms Lead the Way as Blue Crew Takes Two From Keys - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Potomac Pitching Puts "K" in K-Tribe - Potomac Nationals
- Garrison limits Cats to one run in six innings en route to sixth win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Frederick Fades Back To .500 Suffering Doubleheader Sweep - Frederick Keys
- Potomac Wins Pitchers' Duel 2-1 - Kinston Indians
- Garrison Delivers Another Strong Performance as Sox Beat Cats 4-2 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Hillcats Game Notes for July 18 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Blue Rocks Game Notes for July 18 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats Game Notes for July 18 - Potomac Nationals
- Indians Game Notes for July 18 - Kinston Indians
- Dash Brief Game Notes for July 18 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Red Sox Game Notes for July 18 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Negron's Two-Run Double Highlights Four-Run 15th as Sox Outlast Cats - Salem RidgeYaks
- Salem Outlasts Lynchburg In 15-Inning Marathon - Lynchburg Hillcats
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