Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 18 vs. Myrtle Beach)
August 18, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
The Dash open up a critical six-game homestand with the first of three against Myrtle Beach, who trails the Dash by 1.5 games for the top spot in the Southern Division standings. First pitch for Tuesday's contest is set for 7 p.m.
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WINSTON-SALEM DASH (31-18, 61-58) vs. MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (30-20, 71-48)
RHP Yency Almonte (2-1, 2.29 ERA) vs. RHP Jonathan Martinez (8-2, 2.83 ERA)
7 p.m. - BB&T Ballpark (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Game #120 (Home Game #61)
SUNDAY FINALE CANCELED DUE TO RAIN
Heavy rain in the Roanoke Valley prompted a cancellation of Sunday's finale between the Dash and the Salem Red Sox. The Dash led 2-0 in the third inning, but because the game was not official and Sunday marked the final meeting of the season, it will not be made up. Thus, all stats from the contest do not count. As a result, the Dash finished the season with a 12-11 mark against the Red Sox. This record includes six straight victories against Salem to finish the year.
BYE-DENREICH
The White Sox announced Monday that Carolina League All-Star and Pitcher of the Year candidate Matt Heidenreich was promoted to Double-A Birmingham. Heidenreich currently stands as the CL leader in wins (12) and at-bats against (508), while he shares first place in winning percentage (.800) and innings (130.2). The Coronado, Calif., native also stands third in ERA (2.76), third in strikeouts (103) and fifth in WHIP (1.16). The Dash boasted a 16-5 record when Heidenreich took to the hill, and he logged a quality start in 15 of his 21 outings with the Dash.
TOP TWO PITCHING STAFFS
Heidenreich led the way for a Dash pitching staff that boasts a 3.27 earned run average. Only Myrtle Beach, the Dash's opponent over the next three days, has a better mark (3.00). The club's bullpen has been especially effective. Dash relievers own a 2.71 mark and have successfully converted 16 straight save chances (last blown save: June 30) and 25 of their last 26.
FULL ROSTER CHANGES
In addition to Heidenreich's promotion, the White Sox announced three other Dash-related moves. Righty Spencer Adams, the fourth-best White Sox prospect per MLB.com, has joined the Dash for a second time. He was 9-5 with a 3.24 ERA with the Intimidators. Brett Austin, who was Carlos Rodon's primary catcher at NC State, has also jumped up from Kannapolis, where he hit .201. To make room for Austin, fellow catcher Sean O'Connell was sent to Kannapolis.
OFFENSIVELY TILTED
Even though the Dash are seventh on the eight-team circuit in batting average (.242), many of their players are at or near the top of the CL in several relevant offensive categories. Adam Engel paces the league in games (117), runs (80) and stolen bases (54), while he is second in hits (117). Engel is also fourth in all of Minor League Baseball in steals, while teammate Eddy Alvarez is fifth with 50. Jake Peter is third in hits (116) and fourth in runs (68). Trey Michalczewski (2nd, 64) and Keon Barnum (4th, 63) are in the top five in RBIs. Barnum is tied for first in MiLB in RBIs since July 1 (40).
WORST TO FIRST
Winston-Salem was in last place in the Southern Division for the final 50 days of the season's first half. However, the Dash have enjoyed at least a share of first place for the first 54 days of half two. In their previous five halves (2013 first half to 2015 first half), the Dash were in first for a combined 33 days. The squad's current first-place streak is the longest since Winston-Salem became the Dash in 2009. Here are the top four such streaks in the Dash era:
1. 52 days from June 25, 2015-present
2. 42 days from July 28-September 7, 2009
3. 41 days from May 10-June 20, 2010
4. 35 days from July 31-September 3, 2012
A LOOK AT THE PELICANS
The Dash are hoping to clinch a spot alongside Myrtle Beach in next month's Southern Division Championship Series. Winston-Salem is 11-10 against the Pelicans, though the Dash are 6-1 in Myrtle Beach and 5-9 against the Birds at BB&T Ballpark. Winston and Myrtle boast the two best records in the CL since the All-Star break. This marks the first meeting since July 9, which is the largest gap between games this season.
DASH DOTS
Winston is a CL-best 17-7 against divisional foes in half two...The Dash were 17-22 in the division before the break...Winston earned its fifth sweep of 2015 over the weekend (all in the second half).
Carolina League Stories from August 18, 2015
- Potomac Sweeps Twin Bill over Wilmington 5-0 and 4-2 - Potomac Nationals
- Peterson Homers as Mudcats Edge Red Sox 3-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Hillcats Score in Each of Last Five Innings to Take Opener - Frederick Keys
- Wilmington Begins Six-Game Home Stand with Two Losses against Nationals - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Haase, Frazier Power 'Cats Past Keys, 8-2 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Mudcats Slip Past Red Sox, 3-2 - Salem Red Sox
- Rain Postpones Series Opener at Winston-Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Tuesday's Game Postponed; Twin Bill Set for Wednesday - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pitcher Tyler Sulina Returns from Disabled List - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hillcats Game Notes August 18, 2015, 6:30 vs. Frederick - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:00 p.m. ET at Winston-Salem Dash - August 18, 2015 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Mike Meyers Joins Salem Red Sox - Salem Red Sox
- August 18 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 18 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Zagunis Placed on 7-Day DL; Rogers Returns from Double-A - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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