CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 7 at Frederick)

Published on April 7, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


WINSTON-SALEM DASH (3-0) at Frederick Keys (0-3)

RHP Blake Battenfield (first start of 2019) vs. RHP Matthias Dietz (first start of 2019)

1 p.m. - Nymeo Field (Frederick, Md.)

Game #4 (Away Game #4)

PARKE, ROBERT LEAD DASH IN GAME 1

John Parke tossed five strong innings, and Luis Robert stroked the go-ahead hit in Winston-Salem's 4-1 victory over the Frederick Keys in Saturday's doubleheader opener at Nymeo Field. Parke allowed just five hits while walking one and striking out three in his first start of 2019. Robert, who smacked two homers in the Dash's Opening Day win on Thursday, broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth with an RBI single to center. Winston-Salem added another run in the fourth before Craig Dedelow capped the scoring with his first High-A homer, a solo shot in the fifth.

DASH BEAT KEYS IN EXTRAS IN GAME 2

Thanks to a go-ahead, three-run homer from Johan Cruz, Winston-Salem pulled out an 8-5 victory in eight innings over the Frederick Keys in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Nymeo Field to secure a twin bill sweep and a series victory. With two on and nobody out in the top of the eighth, Cruz blasted the game-deciding shot over the wall in left-center against Scott Burke. Overall, the Dash registered 14 hits in Saturday's finale, with Robert, Zach Remillard and Dedelow each stroking three hits.

DASHING TO THE HISTORY BOOKS

With their two wins on Saturday, the Dash are 3-0 to start the season for the first time in the Dash era (2009-present). Meanwhile, the series win marks the first time Winston-Salem has won a season-opening set since the Dash took two out of three against Kinston in 2011.

LIGHTS OUT BULLPEN

Through three games, the Dash bullpen has posted a 0.57 ERA through 15.2 innings pitched. Here's a rundown of the noteworthy performers:

RHP Zach Lewis: 6.2IP, 6H, 0ER; win on 4/4

RHP Jose Nin: 2.0IP, 3H, 0R, 2K on 4/4

RHP Codi Heuer: 2.0IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 2K; first pro save in game one on 4/6

RHP Alec Hansen: 1-2-3 4th inning in Gm2 on 4/6

LHP Kevin Escorcia: Two scoreless innings in Gm2 on 4/6

THERE IS NO STOPPING THIS MAN

Robert, who is ranked the 39th-best prospect in the White Sox system per MLB Pipeline, is off to a torrid start to 2019. Through three games, Robert is 7-for-13 with two homers, seven RBIs and a batting line of .538/.571/1.077. He has also posted three consecutive multi-hit games for the first time since playing Minor League Baseball in the United States. Robert was inked to a $26 million signing bonus by the White Sox in May of 2017. It was the second-largest bonus given to an amateur, behind only Yoan Moncada's initial deal with the Boston Red Sox ($31 million). During big league Spring Training, Robert posted an .813 slugging percentage in eight games.

THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN GOOD, TOO

Alongside Robert, there have been several notable performers on the offensive end. Remillard (6-for-13, one double) and Yeyson Yrizarri (4-for-13, one homer) have also recorded a hit in each of their first three games. Meanwhile, Dedelow (4-for-10, one homer) reached base in six of his nine plate appearances on Saturday, while Jordan George has scored a run in each of his first three games as a White Sox farmhand.

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

Right-hander Blake Battenfield will make his first start of 2019 in Sunday's series finale...The right-hander made nine starts for the Dash last year before missing the rest of the season with shoulder inflammation in his throwing arm.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from April 7, 2019


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.

OurSports Central