CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Pelicans Solve Shirek, Drop Dash in Opener

Published on May 26, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC - Jason Heyward and Donell Linares sparked the Myrtle Beach bats and lifted the Pelicans over Winston-Salem 6-5 on Tuesday morning at BB&T Coastal Field. Heyward finished with three hits and three RBI, while Linares contributed three hits and two RBI as the Pelicans handed Dash starting pitcher Charlie Shirek his first loss of the season in the opener of this three-game series.

The Dash grabbed an early lead in the second inning when left fielder Christian Marrero smacked a solo home run off Pelicans starting pitcher Erik Cordier. Myrtle Beach responded with a pair of runs in the third inning sparked by RBI singles from Cole Miles and Heyward to take a 2-1 lead.

Winston-Salem (21-23) answered back with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Marrero singled with one out and designated hitter Lee Cruz followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Next, catcher Logan Johnson lined a two-run double down the left field line to give the Dash a 3-2 lead. Marrero added an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning to extend Winston-Salem's advantage to 4-2.

The Pelicans put together a four-run fifth inning to regain a lead they would not relinquish. Heyward, buried a bases-loaded, two-run double into the right field corner to knot the score at four. After Shirek handed out consecutive walks to Freddie Freeman and Cody Johnson to load the bases again, Linares registered a two-run single to give the Pelicans a 6-4 lead.

Marrero, who matched his season-high with his third four-hit performance, added another RBI single in the seventh inning to bring the Dash within a run, but that would be as close as they would get. Pelicans reliever Lee Hyde retired five batters in a row and closer Cory Gearrin worked a perfect ninth inning to collect the save. Gearring is 9-for-9 in save opportunities and has closed out all three Pelicans wins over Winston-Salem this season.

Shirek (7-1), who leads the Carolina League in wins, worked five innings and surrendered a season-high six runs on nine hits to suffer his first loss of the season. Cordier (1-2) registered his first win of the season after holding the Dash to four runs on seven hits in five innings.

The second of this three-game series is set for Wednesday morning at BB&T Coastal Field. The Dash will hand the ball to RHP Levi Maxwell (0-7, 5.91), while the Pelicans are expected to start LHP Richard Sullivan (1-1, 5.25). The first pitch scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

The next home game for Winston-Salem is Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m. against the Kinston Indians. It is also the opener of a ten-game home stand for the Dash at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Single-game tickets are also available for games at Wake Forest Baseball Park through June 17 and can be purchased online at www.wsdash.com or by calling the Dash office at (336) 714-2287.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 26, 2009


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