Homer Happy Dash Split Twin Bill
Published on May 18, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (MAY 18, 2011) - Ian Gac hit two of four Dash home runs including a walk-off shot in extra innings to give Winston-Salem a 6-3 victory over the Pelicans in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader at BB&T Ballpark. Myrtle Beach secured a split in game two after taking a six-run lead and stifling a late Dash rally to win 6-4.
The early part of game one was a pitcher's duel between Andre Rienzo and Robbie Erlin, as Rienzo didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning and Erlin struck out nine in six innings.
Jose Martinez dented the scoreboard first in the fourth inning with a solo home run against Erlin.
The 1-0 lead lasted until the sixth inning when Rienzo walked the lead-off hitter Mike Olt. He advanced to second on Zach Zaneski's groundout, and then came around the score the tying run on a single by Jared Prince. Rienzo left the game after that inning, and would not factor into the decision despite allowing only two hits in six innings.
In the seventh, Myrtle Beach (24-15) plated the go-ahead. Leury Garcia singled, and then advanced to second when reliever Taylor Thompson committed an error on a pick-off throw. Garcia scored after third baseman Jake Oester notched the second error of the inning on a throw to first base. That scored the go-ahead run and put the Pelicans ahead 2-1.
The lead didn't last long. In the potential last at-bats for Winston-Salem, Gac hit his 12th home run of the season to pull the Dash (18-21) even.
Myrtle Beach took the lead again in extra innings. Mitch Hilligoss walked to lead off the eighth and later scored on a lightly-hit single by Santiago Chirino.
Nick Ciolli homered to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning and tie the game at three. The home run was the first against Myrtle Beach reliever Johan Yan. Jared Mitchell pinch hit and drew a walk before Daniel Wagner sacrificed Mitchell to second. After issuing an intentional walk to Tyler Saladino, Yan got Martinez to foul out to first base. Gac stepped in a belted his second home run in as many innings, a three-run walk-off to win the game for Winston-Salem.
Thompson (3-1) got the win in relief after giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. Yan (1-2) picked up the loss. The four home runs for Winston-Salem were the most hit by the team in a single game so far this season.
In game two, Myrtle jumped out to an early lead when Jared Hoying doubled and scored on a single by Garcia.
The two hitters combined for the second Pelicans run in the third inning. Hoying walked with one out and advanced to third on Dash starter Santos Rodriguez's throwing error on an attempted pick-off. Garcia grounded out to second base, driving in Hoying and putting Myrtle Beach up 2-0.
Andres James started the fifth inning with a walk, and then stole second base. He then scored on Hoying's single.
The Pelicans opened up the lead in the sixth inning against reliever Addison Reed. Hilligoss and Prince hit successive singles with one out, and scored on a home run from Jared Bolden to double the lead to 6-0.
Winston-Salem made it a ballgame in the bottom of the seventh. Pelicans reliever Kasey Kiker walked Luis Sierra and Ciolli with one out in the inning before inducing a ground out to move runners to second and third. Wagner then hit an infield single to score Sierra before Saladino walked to load the bases. That chased Kiker from the game and brought in Zach Osborne. Martinez cleared the bases with a single, bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of Kyle Colligan, but Colligan popped out to center field to end the game.
The Dash managed only four hits against Pelicans starter Kennil Gomez (1-1), who got the win In a spot start, he tossed five innings and didn't allow a run. Rodriguez (2-1) was saddled with the loss after his spot start lasted two innings, and he gave up one run (earned). Osborne entered the game with the tying run on deck in the seventh and earned his first save of the season.
Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach conclude their four-game series Thursday night at 7 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark. LHP Hector Santiago (2-2, 3.75) is scheduled to throw for the Dash against RHP Barret Loux (2-3, 4.29). Fans can catch all the action starting at 6:45 p.m. 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 May 18, 2011
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