Rocks Sweep Dash with Late Comeback
Published on May 1, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WILMINGTON, DE - Wilmington scored three runs in the eighth inning to come back and beat the Dash 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Frawley Stadium. Winston-Salem starter Andre Rienzo allowed just one hit over seven innings, but it was not enough to prevent the Blue Rocks from sweeping the series and sending the Dash to their fifth straight defeat.
Leading 2-1 entering the eighth inning, the Dash saw Wilmington (15-7) score three times against their best reliever. Taylor Thompson entered the game with a 0.82 ERA, but gave up a single and walk, bringing Whit Merrifield to the plate with two on and one out. Merrifield singled to right, but the ball got under the glove of Jose Martinez, allowing both runners to score. The error gave the Blue Rocks their first lead of the day and they later added an insurance run on Nick Francis' RBI single.
Wilmington left the bases loaded in the inning, but did not end up needing any additional runs, as Kelvin Herrera (2-1) got Andy Wilkins to ground into a fielder's choice while representing the tying run to end the game.
The Dash (8-15) scored their runs early against Wilmington starter Elisaul Pimentel. With one out in the second inning, Jake Oester singled and moved to third on Austin Yount's double. Kyle Colligan brought Oester home on a sacrifice fly and Yount scored when Luis Sierra doubled to center to make it 2-0 Winston-Salem.
Rienzo was terrific throughout the ballgame, setting down the first nine men he faced and bringing a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Rienzo hit Alex McClure, and then gave up his first hit of the day, a double to Carlo Testa, to put to men in scoring position. With Ryan Eigsti batting, Rienzo uncorked a wild pitch that skipped off the catcher Sierra and allowed McClure to score from third to cut the Dash's lead to one run.
Rienzo returned to his early form to finish his outing, pitching two more scoreless innings before departing after more than 100 pitches. He allowed just one hit and one run over seven innings, striking out a season-high nine batters and walking two.
Winston-Salem's bats were quiet from the second inning on, as the combination of Pimentel and Herrera retired 21 straight batters until Ian Gac singled with two outs in the ninth to extend his team-best hitting streak to 13 games.
Herrera got the win with two innings of scoreless relief, while Thompson (1-1) was tagged with the loss and the blown save after allowing three earned runs in the eighth.
The Dash continue their road trip on Monday night to start a series with the Frederick Keys. LHP Hector Santiago (0-2, 5.68) gets the nod for Winston-Salem against RHP Ryan O'Shea (2-1, 1.99). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the audio broadcast begins at 6:45 on www.wsdash.com.
The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark on Thursday night to start a six-game home stand against the Lynchburg Hillcats and Potomac Nationals.
Fans may purchase tickets for every game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or by visiting www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from May 1, 2011
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- Pelicans Pitching Prevails in Finale - Frederick Keys
- Pelicans Lock Down Keys to Take Series - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Kinston Edges out Hillcats in Pitchers Duel - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Wilmington Uses Late Rally to Sweep Dash - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Kinston Takes Series from Lynchburg with a 3-1 Win - Kinston Indians
- Rocks Sweep Dash with Late Comeback - Winston-Salem Dash
- Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem RidgeYaks
- Kinston Indians Game Notes - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
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