Shirek Shines as Dash Roll Past Keys in Series Opener
Published on April 27, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem (10-9) starting pitcher Charlie Shirek tossed seven shutout innings to lead the Dash to a 9-2 victory over Frederick (8-11) in the series opener on Monday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Dash first baseman Jimmy Gallagher finished 2-for-3 with a grand slam to extend his hitting streak to 18 games. It is the longest streak in professional baseball this season.
Shirek (3-0) was the story as the North Dakota native limited the Keys to four hits, while striking out a season-high eight batters in leading the Dash to their fourth straight win and six of their last seven. It was also his longest outing of the year.
Winston-Salem grabbed an early lead in the first inning off Keys starting pitcher Zach Britton. Center fielder Jordan Danks led off with a single and scored when shortstop Greg Paiml followed with a double. Gallagher smacked a single to put runners on the corners with one out. Next, third baseman Brent Morel added an RBI ground out to score Paiml and put the Dash in front 2-0.
Both teams failed to plate another run until the bottom of the seventh inning when Winston-Salem loaded the bases with one out against Keys reliever Cliff Flagello. Salvador Sanchez lined an RBI single and Morel tacked on a run-scoring sacrifice fly to give the Dash a 4-0 lead.
With Shirek out of the game in the eighth inning, the Keys were able to score two runs off Dash reliever Santo Luis to trim their deficit in half. But Winston-Salem pulled away with a power display in the bottom of the eighth. Gallagher blasted a grand slam and Sanchez followed with a solo shot to give the Dash a 9-2 advantage. It was the second consecutive game Winston-Salem hit back-to-back home runs as Morel and Christian Marrero accomplished the feat on Sunday afternoon against Wilmington.
Britton (0-1) suffered the loss for Frederick after allowing two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings of work. The southpaw did strike out a season-high eight batters.
The Dash will continue their seven day home stand when they welcome in the Frederick Keys for a three-game series beginning on Monday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Dash will turn to RHP Levi Maxwell (0-3, ), while the Keys are expected to start LHP Zach Britton (0-0, 1.93). The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Single-game tickets are 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.
Carolina League Stories from April 27, 2009
- Braves catcher placed on disabled list last Saturday - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Early-inning offense doesn't hold up for Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hillcats earn their ninth come from behind win this season - Hill City Howlers
- Shirek Shines as Dash Roll Past Keys in Series Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Opener goes to Dash - Frederick Keys
- Don't Forget to Sign Up for Baseball 101 For Women - Salem RidgeYaks
- BB&T Coastal Field to be Donation Collection Site - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lonnie Chisenhall and Eric Berger Win Weekly Carolina League Awards for K-Tribe! - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
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