Wilkins Slams Dash to Series Win
Published on August 28, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (AUGUST 28, 2011) - Andy Wilkins' fifth-inning grand slam, the third of the season for Winston-Salem, propelled the Dash to a convincing 8-2 victory over Myrtle Beach in Sunday evening's series finale at BB&T Ballpark. Cameron Bayne picked up his 12th win of the season to take the Carolina League lead, and a sell-out crowd of 5,872 fans watched the Dash take a 1.5 game lead in the Southern Division.
The Pelicans (29-34, 69-63) started the scoring in the regular season finale between the two teams. Santiago Chirino singled with one out against Bayne, and scored on Jared Prince's double.
Winston-Salem (35-29, 67-67) responded almost immediately. Juan Silverio smacked his fourth home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning to knot the game at one.
In the second the Dash used some sloppy play in the field to take the lead. Jared Mitchell walked with one out and moved to second base when Luis Sierra grounded out. Daniel Wagner followed with a single to center field that advanced Mitchell to third, but Wagner took second on a throw home from center fielder Jared Hoying. Catcher Vinny DiFazio's throw to try to nab Wagner was booted by Andres James, and Mitchell came home to score on the error. Tyler Saladino then hit a double into the left field corner, scoring Wagner and giving the Dash a 3-1 lead.
Myrtle scored once in the third inning when Travis Adair doubled and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Prince.
The Dash offense exploded in the fifth inning when the first four batters reached and circled the bases. Wagner bunted aboard to start the frame, and Saladino did the same to put runners at first and second. Silverio then singled to load the bases. Wilkins stepped in and belted Wilfred Boscan's 2-2 pitch over the right field fence for the third Dash grand slam of the season. The 21st home run of the season for the first baseman opened up the game, and gave the Dash a 7-2 advantage. Ian Gac tripled right after Wilkins' homer, but was stranded at third.
The sixth inning capped the scoring for Winston-Salem. Silverio reached on a dropped third strike and stole second base with two outs. Wilkins drove him in, to total his fifth RBI of the game and tying a season-high.
With the win, the Dash even up the regular-season series at ten wins apiece in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,872 fans. The crowd was a record attendance for a Sunday game.
Bayne (12-7) threw a solid seven innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven. He picked up his Carolina League leading 12th win of the season. Boscan (4-12) was hit with the loss. He gave up seven runs on nine hits in five innings.
Winston-Salem has rare back-to-back days off on Monday and Tuesday before opening up the final home series of the regular season against Salem. Wednesday night's season opener at BB&T Ballpark is at 7 p.m.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from August 28, 2011
- Hillcats Unable to Weather Storm - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Kinston Wins Make-Up in Lynchburg 9-2 - Kinston Indians
- Unlikely Hero Clinches Victorious Road Finale - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Dash Blast Boscan, Pelicans out of Winston - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Wilkins Slams Dash to Series Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- Rocks Squeak Past Sox 5-4 in Home Finale - Salem RidgeYaks
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Keys Salvage Split - Frederick Keys
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
