Greene's Walk-Off Homer Wins It for Winston
Published on June 12, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (JUNE 12, 2010) - Justin Greene hit a walk-off solo home run off Barry Bowden in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Dash a 2-1 win over the Blue Rocks on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark. Winston-Salem blew a 1-0 lead in the top of the ninth, but Greene's blast send the Dash to its second straight one-run win against Wilmington.
Winston (40-23) remains three games ahead of Salem in the Southern Division, as the Red Sox beat Frederick 8-1 on Saturday night. The Dash dropped its magic number to five games for a first half title and spot in the playoffs.
After Wilmington (29-34) could not take advantage of a bases loaded opportunity in the first inning, Winston-Salem loaded the bases with nobody against Tim Melville. Seth Loman brought home Brandon Short with an RBI single to right. Eduardo Escobar tried to score from second on the play, but was thrown out by Nick Francis for the first out of the inning. After Melville re-loaded the bases with a walk, he retired Kenny Williams, Jr. and Luis Sierra without another run scoring.
The game stayed 1-0 for the next seven innings, as both offenses failed to take advantage of numerous scoring situations. The Blue Rocks left 11 men on base, and Winston-Salem stranded nine.
The Dash had a chance to extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Logan Johnson appeared to hit a two-run homer off the bridge in right field. Home plate umpire Doug Vines, however, called it a foul ball, saying it bounced off the bridge just to right of the foul pole. Joe McEwing argued to no avail, and was ejected after disputing the call for several minutes.
After throwing a scoreless eighth inning, Kyle Bellamy came back to pitch the ninth. Adam Frost reached on an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Patrick Norris then hit a grounder to first that Seth Loman couldn't handle for an error, allowing men to reach first and third with no outs. Adrian Ortiz followed with a beautiful drag bunt single down the first base line. Frost easily scored from third base, tying the game at one. Bellamy was charged with the blown save, but retired the last two batters to get to the bottom of the ninth tied.
After Bowden (2-4) struck out Drew Garcia to start the inning, Greene connected on a 2-2 pitch to right-center field that landed in the home run porch. It was his eighth home run of the season and his second walk-off homer in the last week. He ended last Saturday night's game against Kinston with a walk-off blast. Winston-Salem has five walk-off wins this season, three of them coming on home runs.
Bellamy (4-0) earned the win and Bowden was charged with the loss.
Nate Jones allowed just three hits over five scoreless innings, but finished with a no-decision. Tim Melville was spared the loss after allowing one run on six hits and three walks in five innings.
The Dash looks to take the series victory on Sunday afternoon in a battle of southpaws. LHP Charlie Leesman (7-2, 4.75) opposes LHP Chris Dwyer (3-3, 3.22) in a 2 p.m. start. The audio webcast begins at 1:45 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 June 12, 2010
- Kersten Hits Walk-Off Homer as Kinston beats Myrtle Beach 5-4 in 13 innings - Kinston Indians
- Red Sox Bludgeon Keys 8-1 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Frederick Wins CL North First-Half Crown With Rocks Loss - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Wilmington's 2-1 Loss in Winston-Salem Gives Frederick the North - Frederick Keys
- Greene's Walk-Off Homer Wins It for Winston - Winston-Salem Dash
- Keys Fall in Mistake Filled Game - Frederick Keys
- P-Nats Shut Out in Second Straight - Potomac Nationals
- Volquez, Cats Notch Second Straight Shutout - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe June 12 Notes - Kinston Indians
- Late Rallies Surge Salem Past Frederick 8-5 - Salem RidgeYaks
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