Salem Flirts with Perfection in Win over Dash
Published on April 18, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Salem starting pitcher Brian Johnson tossed six perfect innings before exiting, and the Dash didn't register their first baserunner until the seventh in an 8-2 loss at BB&T Ballpark on Friday night.
Johnson (2-1) struck out five while retiring all 18 batters he faced. With a rising pitch count, the 23-year-old lefty gave way to Dayan Diaz in the bottom of the seventh inning. Dash shortstop Tim Anderson spoiled the perfect game bid with one out in the frame, lining a clean single to left field.
Winston-Salem has not been on the wrong end of a no-hitter since July 3, 2003, when Frederick's John Maine held the Warthogs without a hit in a seven-inning game. The last time Winston-Salem was no-hit in a nine-inning game was April 14, 1995, against Wilmington when Jose Rosado and Pat Flury combined for the gem.
The Dash spoiled Salem's shutout bid in the eighth inning. Right fielder Jason Coats led off with a single. He later scored on a double by third baseman Nick Basto, making it an 8-1 contest.
In the ninth inning, left fielder Courtney Hawkins provided some excitement for the fans who sat through a steady rain during the evening, blasting a solo home run to left field. It was Hawkins' fourth of the season and his Carolina League-leading 16th RBI.
Offensively, Salem struck early and often, taking advantage of a wild outing by starter Braulio Ortiz (0-1). The Winston-Salem righty walked Matty Johnson and Jonathan Roof to open the game, both of whom scored on a Carson Blair double that short-hopped the left field wall to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
The Red Sox provided some cushion in the third inning. Roof led off with a single, and Blair walked. A walk by right fielder Kevin Heller loaded the bases for second baseman Reed Gragnani, who punched a single to right field, scoring two. Third baseman Mario Martinez followed with an infield single, scoring Heller to make it 5-0 in Salem's favor.
The Sox continued its offensive surge in the fourth against Dash reliever Zach Isler, taking advantage of a couple of Winston-Salem errors in the process. Johnson and Roof started the inning with singles. Anderson was saddled with two errors on a Blair grounder, bringing Johnson home. Later in the frame, Gragnani drove in his third run of the game with another single to right field. With the bases loaded, Ryan Dent walked, extending the Salem advantage to 8-0.
The Dash have now lost five in a row, and will look to snap the skid against Salem on Saturday night. Right-hander Mike Recchia (1-1, 6.48 ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Winston-Salem, while the Red Sox will send righty Justin Haley (0-0, 4.50 ERA) to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., and kids can run the bases after the game. For tickets, visit wsdash.com or call (336) 714-2287.
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