Late Dash Rally Falls Short
August 17, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (AUGUST 17, 2011) - Winston-Salem scored two runs in the eighth inning to shrink a three-run Lynchburg lead to one on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark, but the Dash couldn't rally in the ninth and the Hillcats took the series finale 4-3. The win for the Hillcats marked their first series victory of the season in Winston-Salem, and cut the Dash's lead in the Southern Division to a half-game because Kinston won earlier on Wednesday.
Unlike the first three games of the home stand, offense was hard to come by. Winston-Salem got on the board first against Hillcats starter Dimasther Delgado. In the second inning, Mike Blanke belted a solo home run, his second in as many games and fourth of the season.
After that, the scales tipped the way of the Hillcats (22-30, 52-70). Lynchburg tied the game in the fourth when Joe Leonard reached on a fielding error by Tyler Saladino. The next batter, Shawn McGill reached on an infield single, but Saladino's throwing error moved Leonard to third. The tying run scored when Geraldo Rodriguez grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
In the next inning, Andrelton Simmons tripled with one out against Dash starter Matt Wickswat. Marcus Lemon followed by laying down a perfectly placed bunt with Simmons stealing on the play. The suicide squeeze gave the Hillcats a 2-1 advantage in the fifth.
Simmons provided more offense for Lynchburg by hitting his first home run of the season with two outs in the seventh. The Carolina League's active leader in batting average had gone 449 at-bats without a home run this season.
Winston-Salem (29-23, 61-61) loaded the bases with two outs, putting the tying run at second base in the bottom of the inning against Cats reliever Robert Roth. Daniel Wagner grounded out to Simmons with two outs to end the threat.
In the top of the eighth, Lynchburg added more insurance because of a Dash fielding blunder. Joey Terdoslavich walked with one out and moved to second with two outs on a fielding error by Wagner. Rodriguez followed with a run-scoring single to put the Hillcats up 4-1.
The Dash pulled closer in the bottom of the eighth inning. Saladino singled for his third hit of the night to lead off, and moved to second when Jared Mitchell walked. After Roth got Andy Wilkins to fly out to right field, Ryan Buchter entered the game in relief. Ian Gac greeted Buchter with a single that scored Saladino, and Nick Ciolli singled with two outs to score Mitchell. That pulled the Dash to within one heading into the ninth.
With two outs in the ninth, Saladino notched his fourth hit of the night to put the tying run at first base. But Buchter struck out Mitchell looking to end the ballgame, giving Lynchburg the series victory.
Though he only allowed two earned runs in the ballgame, Wickswat (5-4) was hit with the loss. He gave up four total runs on eight hits and struck out five. Delgado (9-6) picked up the win in six innings where he gave up one earned run and four hits while striking out six. Buchter picked up his 13th save of the season.
Winston-Salem heads on the road for eight games against Potomac and Salem starting at Pfitzner Stadium at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday. RHP Cameron Bayne (11-5, 3.30) is scheduled to start for the Dash. Fans can catch all the action starting at 6:45 p.m. at www.wsdash.com . Winston-Salem returns to BB&T Ballpark on Friday, August 26 when Myrtle Beach will come to town for four games in three days.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com .
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Carolina League Stories from August 17, 2011
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- Late Dash Rally Falls Short - Winston-Salem Dash
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- Sarianides Now: Kinston Reliever Gets First Win - Potomac Nationals
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
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- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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