Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 6 at Frederick, Doubleheader)
April 6, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM DASH (1-0) at Frederick Keys (0-1)
LHP John Parke (first start of 2019)/RHP Jake Elliott (first start of 2019) vs. LHP DL Hall (first start of 2019)/LHP Cameron Bishop (first start of 2019)
1 p.m. (doubleheader) - Nymeo Field (Frederick, Md.)
Games #2 & #3 (Away Games #2 & #3)
ROBERT GOES OFF IN 2019 OPENER
Thanks to a two-homer night from superstar prospect Luis Robert, the Dash defeated the Frederick Keys 9-4 in their season opener on Thursday night at Nymeo Field. Down 3-0 in the third, Robert tied the contest with a three-run shot to left-center against Brenan Hanifee. The blast marked Robert's first Minor League home run in the United States. In the fourth, Robert connected on a two-run homer to left field to make it a 7-3 contest. Robert finished with a career-high five RBIs on the night. Yeyson Yrizarri went 2-for-4 with a homer and a double, while Zach Lewis and Jose Nin combined for 8.2 innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen.
MORE ON "LA PANTERA"
After dealing with a nagging thumb injury last year, along with assimilating into living full-time in the United States, Robert has looked comfortable to start 2019. Prior to Thursday, Robert hit .313 with an OPS above .800 during his time in big league Spring Training. Signed to a $26 million signing bonus in May of 2017, Robert played 32 games for the Dash last season. Before the opener, Robert had last homered in the regular season on August 25, 2017, as a member of the DSL White Sox.
TOP-FLIGHT TALENT
Robert and infielder Nick Madrigal, who are both ranked as top-50 prospects per MLB Pipeline, highlight the Dash's 2019 Opening Day roster. The fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Madrigal hit .306 and posted a .355 on-base percentage with the Dash last season. A College World Series champion with Oregon State, Madrigal struck out just five times in 155 Minor League at-bats in 2018.
LEWIS DOMINATES IN HIGH-A DEBUT
Relieving Lincoln Henzman in the first inning on Thursday, Lewis thrived in a long-man role. The former Wichita State star tossed 6.2 innings and yielded just one unearned run while tying a career-high with eight strikeouts. Lewis spent all of last year with Low-A Kannapolis, posting a 2.60 ERA.
MORE NOTES FROM OPENING DAY
With Thursday's victory, Winston-Salem improves to 4-7 in season openers since becoming the Dash in 2009. Before Robert, the last Dash player to hit two homers in a game was catcher Yermin Mercedes, who ironically suited up for Frederick in 2017. Mercedes hit two home runs, including a walk-off blast in game one of a doubleheader against Wilmington on August 19. Last night was Nin's first outing at the High-A level as a member of the White Sox organization. He pitched one game for High-A Clearwater during his time in the Phillies organization.
PARKE IT LIKE IT'S HOT
Left-hander John Parke, who was third among White Sox farmhands in innings pitched (153.0) last year, gets the ball in game one on Saturday. A 21st-round pick out of the University of South Carolina, Parke put together an impressive first season in the professional ranks. Between Low-A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem, Parke was 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 starts. This past offseason, Parke had the opportunity to work out alongside big leaguers Max Scherzer and Sam Dyson in Jupiter, Florida. More information on Parke is available on page 3.
YOUNGEST IN FULL-SEASON MILB
Only 28 years old, Justin Jirschele is the 48th manager in Winston-Salem's franchise history, and he is the first former Dash player to become the team's skipper. Jirschele is also the youngest manager in full-season Minor League Baseball this year. He previously served as the manager of the Low-A Kannapolis Intimidators, helping the team reach the playoffs in 2017 and 2018. Before joining the coaching ranks, Jirschele, the son of Kansas City Royals third base coach Mike Jirschele, played in the White Sox system from 2012-2015.
DASH DOTS
In his Triple-A debut on Friday against Durham, former first-round pick and Dash alumnus Zack Collins hit two home runs as part of a 12-11 victory for the Charlotte Knights...Jake Elliott will make his first High-A start in game two.
Carolina League Stories from April 6, 2019
- Dunlap's Walk-Off Home Run Highlights Potomac's Doubleheader Sweep - Potomac Nationals
- Mudcats Collect Just Two Hits While Squeaking out a 2-1 Road Win in Kinston - Carolina Mudcats
- Pitching Shines, Payne Delivers in Birds First Win of the Season - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Wood Ducks Hold Mudcats To Two Hits, But Drop Second Straight - Down East Wood Ducks
- Rocks Get First Win in Doubleheader Split - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Shut out Despite 11 Hits in Loss to Birds - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Dash Down Keys in Extras to Secure Doubleheader Sweep - Winston-Salem Dash
- Parke, Robert Lead Dash to Victory in Twin Bill Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Cruz Gives Dash Doubleheader Sweep - Frederick Keys
- April 6 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- April 6 Game Information - Down East Wood Ducks
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: April 6 vs. Lynchburg - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 6 at Frederick, Doubleheader) - Winston-Salem Dash
- RHP Will Kincanon transferred from extended spring training to Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
- Potomac Nationals Game Notes vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers - Potomac Nationals
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