Winston Comeback Falls Short in Wild Opener
Published on May 26, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
KINSTON, NC (MAY 26, 2011) - The Dash nearly came all the way back from a seven-run deficit, but Tyler Saladino struck out with the tying run at second base to end Thursday's game and send Kinston to a nail-biting 9-8 win at Grainger Stadium. The Indians led 8-1 after the first inning, but Winston-Salem scored seven times over the final four frames and had a chance to extend the game before Preston Guilmet nailed down a shaky save.
The Dash (20-27) scored a run in the first off Brett Brach with an Ian Gac RBI double, but the K-Tribe blitzed Joe Serafin in the bottom of the inning. After retiring the first man he faced, Serafin (0-4) allowed the next eight batters to reach base and all of them came home to score. The Winston starter was lifted after 0.2 innings after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on five hits and four walks.
Both teams scored in the sixth inning to keep the margin at seven runs, but Winston-Salem kept chipping away as the game continued. Jose Martinez produced an RBI single in the seventh to make it 9-3 and the Dash scored three more times in the eighth. Saladino hit an RBI triple and then scored on Jared Mitchell's second home run in as many nights, a two-run shot to cut the deficit to three.
Kinston (23-23) brought in its closer Guilmet in the ninth. He had not allowed a run all season (15 appearances and 16.2 innings) entering the game, but gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Andy Wilkins and Nick Ciolli to get the Dash to within one run.
Luis Sierra and Austin Yount followed with a double and walk, respectively, to put the tying run at second base and the go-ahead run at first with one out. Guilmet proceeded to settle down, striking out Daniel Wagner on three pitches before facing Saladino. The Dash leadoff batter worked the count to 2-2 before home plate umpire Matt Jones called what appeared to be a high and wide fastball strike three to end the game. Saladino argued to no avail, and the Indians took a wild first game of the series.
Brach (4-3) earned the win with five innings of one-run ball while Serafin was charged with the loss. Despite his worst outing of the season, Guilmet picked up his tenth save in as many chances.
Notes: The game was the longest nine-inning contest of the season for Winston-Salem, clocking in a three hours, 29 minutes... The eight-run first inning was the biggest by a Dash opponent all season and the 12 walks were the most allowed by Winston pitching in 2011... The first inning alone featured 18 batters with 12 reaching base, 73 total pitches, and took 35 minutes... The Dash hit three more home runs to extend their league-leading total to 44 on the season...
Winston-Salem looks to even the series at a game apiece on Friday night. RHP Terry Doyle (0-5, 3.86) opposes LHP T.J. House (2-4, 5.03) in a 6:30 p.m. start. The audio broadcast of the game begins at 6:15 on www.wsdash.com .
The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark on Monday for a special 4 p.m. Memorial Day game against the 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 26, 2011
- Beach Thievery: Myrtle Shocks Salem 5-4 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Winston Comeback Falls Short in Wild Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Kinston Wins Fifth Straight with 9-8 Win Over Winston-Salem - Kinston Indians
- Pelicans Take Wild Rubber Game from Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- K-Tribe Notes - Kinston Indians
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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