Rocks Quash Late Dash Rally, Win Opener
April 21, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (APRIL 21, 2011) - Winston-Salem's late-inning rally fell just short and the Dash dropped the first game of a four-game series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 7-6. The loss was Winston's fourth straight and drops the team a game below .500.
Winston (6-7) jumped on the board in a big way in the first inning. With one out, Jose Martinez doubled and then scored on a triple off the bat of Jared Mitchell. The next batter, Ian Gac, hit a sacrifice fly to plate the second Dash run of the inning. Andy Wilkins followed that with a solo home run to make it 3-0.
It didn't take long for Wilmington (9-4) to respond against Dash starter Hector Santiago. After retiring the first two batters in the second inning, Santiago walked Jose Bonilla and surrendered a single to Joey Lewis. Carlo Testa smacked a double to drive in Bonilla and Deivy Batista doubled home two more runs to even up the score.
The Blue Rocks repeated their success in the third. Alex McClure walked to start the frame then stole second base. Rey Navarro then singled to drive in McClure and later scored on a two-run home run by Tim Ferguson. The Rocks doubled up the Dash and had a 6-3 lead after two.
Wilmington put one more run on the board in the fourth after a leadoff home run by Testa.
The scoreboard went silent into the seventh when Winston-Salem began to mount a comeback. Martinez led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on Gac's third single of the night. Wilkins then stepped in and drove in Martinez for his second RBI of the night.
In the eighth, the Dash got on the board with two outs. Daniel Wagner coaxed a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch by reliever Brendan Lafferty. Martinez then hit an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by the third baseman Batista that also scored Wagner. Mitchell followed with a single to score Martinez and pull the Dash to within one.
Winston-Salem threatened again in the ninth, putting the tying run aboard after Jason Bour walked. Kyle Colligan pinch ran for Bour. Austin Yount then looped a ball down the left field line that appeared to hit the foul line, but was called foul by the umpiring crew. Yount again took to the batter's box and swung through the next two pitches from Kevin Chapman, striking out. With Kyle Davis batting, Colligan tried to steal second and was thrown out to end the game.
Justin Marks (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after giving up three runs in five innings while striking out six. Santiago (0-1) took the loss after allowing seven earned runs in four innings. Chapman earned his fourth save of the season.
The Dash and Blue Rocks continue their series on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark at 7 p.m. RHP Cameron Bayne (2-0, 0.00 ERA) throws for the Dash opposite RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-0, 3.86). Fans can catch all the action on www.wsdash.com starting at 6:45.
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 April 21, 2011
- Hillcats Snap 10-Game Slide In Frederick - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Win Streak Snapped At Six In Kinston - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Frederick Out Hit 16-to-5 in Lynchburg Rout - Frederick Keys
- Rocks Quash Late Dash Rally, Win Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Slumping Sluggers Break Out In Wild Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Vitek Pounds Three More Hits, But Sox Fall 5-2 - Salem Red Sox
- Complete Effort Sends P-Nats to 5-2 Win in Salem - Potomac Nationals
- Kinston Wins Third Straight, Beating Myrtle Beach 6-2 - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Shelton, Corley Moved to Birmingham - Winston-Salem Dash
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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