Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 20 vs. Myrtle Beach)
April 20, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Fresh off a walk-off victory on Tuesday night, the Dash strive for their second consecutive series win against the rival Myrtle Beach Pelicans. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
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WINSTON-SALEM DASH (4-9) vs. MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (6-7)
RHP Jordan Stephens (0-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. RHP Zach Hedges (0-2, 3.00 ERA)
7 p.m. - BB&T Ballpark (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Game #14 (Home Game #7)
THOMAS, DASH SNAP FIVE-GAME SKID
Behind Toby Thomas' walk-off single in the ninth, Winston-Salem stunned Myrtle Beach 6-5 to end its five-game losing streak. The Pelicans enjoyed a 5-2 lead heading into the eighth, when the Dash knotted the contest thanks to a Gerson Montilla RBI single, Nick Basto RBI double and Marcus Davis sacrifice fly. Chris O'Dowd led off the ninth inning with a single. Four batters later, Thomas laced a base hit beyond the left fielder to clinch the Dash's first win since Wednesday. This late surge rewarded Andre Wheeler with a win. He and Connor Walsh combined to allow one earned run in 3.2 frames.
NO SIX PACK
Thomas' heroics ended Winston-Salem's worst home start since BB&T Ballpark opened in 2010 (0-5). The Dash also avoided the longest single-season home losing streak since entering this downtown facility. Winston-Salem has endured five home skids of five games, but the club has never logged a six-game funk. Since 2010, the Dash's 245-181 (.575) record at home is the best in the Carolina League.
LAST AT-BAT MAGIC
Three of Winston-Salem's four victories this season have come in its last at-bat. The Dash plated eight in the 13th inning at Lynchburg on Opening Night (April 7) before plating a pair in the ninth at Myrtle Beach on April 13 to break a 2-2 tie. Thomas did deliver the Dash's first walk-off hit since July 4, 2015, when Omar Narvaez sunk Frederick with a single in the 11th inning.
OFFENSIVE SURGES
Thomas is one of multiple Dash hitters who have shined as of late. He is riding a five-game hit streak, during which the Alabama native is 8-for-21 (.381) with two RBIs and four runs. The only Winston-Salem hitter with a longer active streak is Marcus Davis, who has hit safely in seven in a row (9-for-29 [.310], seven RBIs, two runs). Also, Nick Basto stands third in average (.367) and fourth in hits (18) on the circuit.
ANOTHER NARROW DECISION
Winston-Salem has played 13 games thus far this season, and 11 of them have been decided by one or two runs. The Dash are just 3-8 in those games, but all three of those victories have come against the Pelicans. Dating back to the start of the 2015 season, Winston and Myrtle have split 34 meetings (including postseason). Each of the last nine clashes have been either one- or two-run affairs. These two clubs still have three more series in the first half, with the next one set for May 2-4 in the Triad.
MORE STRONG PITCHING
Even though the Dash are just 4-9, they have received strong pitching from most members of their staff. The Dash's 3.65 earned run average is fourth-best in the CL. Only once has a Dash starter surrendered more than two earned runs, and the rotation boasts a 3.08 ERA. Out of the bullpen, Connor Walsh had not given up a hit in his first 8.1 innings in High-A before Yasiel Balaguert went deep in the eighth on Tuesday.
WEEKEND REVENGE?
Following Wednesday's rubber match against Myrtle Beach, the Dash hit the road for a four-game set against the first-place Salem Red Sox. Salem dealt the Dash just their fifth home sweep in BB&T Ballpark's seven seasons this past weekend. The four games were decided by a combined six runs. The Red Sox finished a perfect road trip with a sweep-clinching win at Carolina on Wednesday afternoon. Salem, who has not won a first-half crown since 1988, will enjoy at least a three-game lead in the division standings when the series begins Thursday.
DASH DOTS
The Dash claimed a rubber match win against the Birds last Wednesday at TicketReturn.Com Field with a 4-2 win...Starter Jordan Stephens has worked exactly four innings in his first two High-A outings...The Dash have committed three errors in their last two games after just one over their previous eight.
Carolina League Stories from April 20, 2016
- Bote Homer Powers Pelicans to Series Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Stephens Shines in Narrow Loss to Myrtle Beach - Winston-Salem Dash
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 20 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Blue Rocks Bully Keys in Series Finale - Frederick Keys
- Offense Goes Silent as Potomac Swept in 7-0 Loss - Potomac Nationals
- Red Sox Finish Three Game Sweep of Mudcats - Carolina Mudcats
- Blue Rocks' Largest Offensive Explosion Leads to Comfortable 13-4 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Merryweather Starts Another Hillcats Shutout, 7-0 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Salem Wins Seventh Straight, Completes Sweep, 5-1 - Salem Red Sox
- McLaughlin Transferred to Danville; O'Neal Added - Carolina Mudcats
- April 20 Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- P-Nats Bitten by Hillcats in Extras 8-6 - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Prevail in 12 Innings, 8-6 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Red Sox Outlast Mudcats with 6-5, Twelve Inning Victory - Carolina Mudcats
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