Shirek Shines as Dash Take Finale Over K-Tribe
May 31, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem (24-25) starting pitcher Charlie Shirek notched another win in guiding the Dash to a 4-3 win over Kinston in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Shirek worked 7.1 innings and limited the Indians to two runs on three hits to earn his league-best eighth win of the season. He departed the game with a 4-0 lead after walking two batters with one out in the top of the eighth inning.
The game got shaky late for the Dash bullpen, who witnessed their four-run lead trimmed to one in the eighth inning. In the ninth, Johnny Drennen led off with a double and moved to third base with one out on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Castillo. Dash closer Henry Mabee got Ryan Blair to line into a game-ending double play as Drennen was caught off third base. Mabee recorded the final four outs to collect his fourth save of the season.
The Dash put a run on the board in the first inning against Kinston starter Eric Berger with three consecutive singles, including a run-scoring hit from right fielder Jimmy Gallagher to give Winston-Salem a 1-0 lead. The score would remain 1-0 until the sixth inning.
Once Berger was lifted from the game after five innings, the Dash immediately took advantage of the Indians bullpen. Newly inserted reliever Heath Taylor surrendered a leadoff single to third baseman Brent Morel in the bottom of the sixth inning. First baseman Christian Marrero followed with a two-run home run over the right field wall. Later in the inning, Winston-Salem loaded the bases and a passed ball allowed center fielder Salvador Sanchez to score from third base and put the Dash in front 4-0.
Kinston took advantage of lack of control by Dash hurlers to trim their deficit with three runs in the top of the eighth inning. Shirek walked two batters with one out and was finally forced to exit the game. Hector Santiago took over and walked Tim Fedroff to load the bases. Cord Phelps followed with a two-run single which brought the departure of Santiago. Mabee entered the game and immediately uncorked a wild pitch that scored Fedroff to bring the Indians with a run at 4-3.
Berger (3-3) was solid in his five innings as the southpaw limited the Dash to one run on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts, but suffered the tough-luck loss.
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