Jones' Catch, Offense's Explosion Pace 13-9 Win
Published on July 7, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Behind a 19-hit performance from the Dash offense and a highlight-reel catch by Hunter Jones, Winston-Salem salvaged a series-splitting 13-9 win over the Pelicans on Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark.
Each Dash starter recorded at least one hit, and Winston-Salem (7-7, 35-49) scored in six of its eight offensive frames. The Dash also scored in each of their last five offensive innings and put up a combined 10 runs in that span.
The Dash's top five batters (Jones, Gerson Montilla, Mason Robbins, Nick Basto, and Marcus Davis) went a combined 14-for-22 with 11 runs scored and six RBIs. Robbins was 3-for-4 with a double and a sacrifice fly, upping his average to .306. Basto also went 3-for-4 night and tied a career-high with four runs, pushing his High-A average to .322.
However, the play of the night came when the Dash were lined up defensively. With a second and third, two-out situation in the fifth inning and the Dash clinging to a 5-4 lead, Yasiel Balaguert stroked a deep fly ball to left-center. Jones made a full-extension, head-first grab on the warning track to preserve the one-run edge. The Dash center fielder jogged back to the dugout with the crowd giving him a standing ovation.
With the win, the Dash split the four-game set against Myrtle Beach (7-9, 43-42). Winston-Salem is now 3-0-2 in series at home since the start of June.
Myrtle Beach did enjoy a pair of early leads. The Pelicans struck first on a one-out, two-run shot by Gleyber Torres off Dash starter Tanner Banks (4-0) in the opening inning.
Winston-Salem quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame. With runners on first and third and nobody out against Myrtle Beach starter Trevor Clifton (4-6), Robbins stroked a sacrifice fly to make it a 2-1 contest.
Later in the frame, with the bases loaded and two outs and Toby Thomas at the plate, Clifton issued a wild pitch that tied the game at two. Later in the at-bat, a passed ball by Pelicans catcher Erick Castillo gave Winston-Salem a 3-2 edge.
Four pitches into the second inning, Myrtle Beach tied the game at 3-3 with a solo blast from Yasiel Balaguert.
The Pelicans took their final lead in the third. With runners at the corners and one out, Ian Rice delivered an RBI single to put Myrtle Beach up 4-3. Banks settled down and picked up his fourth straight win, tossing 5.2 innings and allowing 10 hits and four earned runs.
The Dash would take the lead for good in the fourth. After back-to-back, one-out walks to Thomas and Brett Austin, Cleuluis Rondon blooped an RBI single to right off Clifton to knot the contest at four apiece. Jones followed with a sacrifice fly to give Winston-Salem a 5-4 edge.
The Dash added two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, one in the seventh and two in the eighth to cap the scoring.
Colin Kleven relieved Banks and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of middle relief. The right-hander has allowed just one earned run in his last 11.1 innings, spanning six outings.
The Pelicans made it interesting in the ninth, scoring five runs (four unearned) in the ninth against Dash right-hander Danny Dopico. With two outs and runners on second and third, Jacob Morris relieved Dopico and induced a game-ending groundout from Ian Rice to lock up his third save in four chances.
The Dash now hit the road for a four-game series at NYMEO Field against the Frederick Keys, with the first game on Friday. Winston-Salem sends Thad Lowry (6-5, 3.62 ERA) to the bump against fellow righty David Richardson (2-2, 3.42 ERA). The Pregame Dash begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can tune in on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
After a league-wide off-day on Tuesday, Winston-Salem returns to BB&T Ballpark for a seven-game homestand from July 13-19. The Dash expect to hit two-millionth fan mark in BB&T Ballpark history on Wednesday, June 13. The homestand includes a Christmas in July celebration, National Ice Cream Day, Princess Night and Kids Run the Bases. There will also be a fireworks show on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16, presented by Black Flag and Shugart Homes, respectively. For tickets, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from July 7, 2016
- Jones' Catch, Offense's Explosion Pace 13-9 Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- Clark Earns First Win in Sweep Clinching 5-2 Carolina Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Dash Onslaught Too Much for Myrtle Beach in 13-9 Loss - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- 'Cats Claim Series Finale, 4-3 - Hill City Howlers
- Red Sox Swallowed by Mudcats, 5-2 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Hillcats Come Back to Win 4-3, Split Series - Frederick Keys
- Brault Makes Big League Debut on Tuesday - Frederick Keys
- Offense Erupts as Mudcats Sweep Twin Bill 5-1 and 11-5 - Carolina Mudcats
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.
