CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (July 19 at Carolina)

Published on July 19, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


Winston-Salem continues its six-game road trip with the second game of a three-game set against Carolina on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m..

_________

WINSTON-SALEM DASH (17-9, 58-38) at Carolina Mudcats (14-11, 48-47)

RHP Luis Martinez (6-4, 4.23 ERA) vs. RHP Alec Bettinger (1-1, 2.74)

7 p.m. - Five County Stadium (Zebulon, N.C.)

Game #97 (Away Game #49)

LATE HOMER SINKS DASH IN OPENER

Despite a quality start from left-hander John Parke, the Dash fell 5-3 to Carolina on Wednesday night in the series opener. With the game tied at three in the bottom of the eighth inning, Cooper Hummel drove a 1-2 pitch off Drew Hasler over the right-field fence to give the Mudcats the lead. Parke tossed six innings, allowing three runs in the first two innings but nothing more. The southpaw struck out six and held the Muddies to a 1-for-7 mark with runners in scoring position. Laz Rivera went 2-for-3 in the game with a double in the fifth inning that knotted the contest at three before Hummel's shot in the eighth.

NEW FACES IN THE CROWD

The Dash have added four new players in the last week - two pitchers and two position players. One familiar face is left-hander Ian Clarkin, who pitched for Winston-Salem in 2017. The other arm, Devan Watts, joined the White Sox organization on Tuesday when the White Sox purchased his contract with the Atlantic League's York Revolution. Watts is a former 17th-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2016. Meanwhile, JJ Muno and Nolan Brown join the Dash outfield from Low-A Kannapolis. Muno, a 27th-round pick by the White Sox in 2017 has played just 14 games this year, including five with Double-A Birmingham. Brown, who signed as a non-drafted free agent with Chicago in 2017 after three seasons at TCU, hit .285 in 56 games with Low-A Kannapolis.

DOUBLE DOWN

With 58 wins this season, Winston-Salem has already surpassed its win total from both 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, Dash are atop the Carolina League in several offensive categories, including runs (497), doubles (194), triples (30), hits (872), RBIs (468) and slugging percentage (.420). The Dash are tied for second in the circuit in home runs (76) and second in on-base percentage (.342). On the mound, the Dash are fourth in ERA (3.70) and third in strikeouts (786).

THOSE SCOUTS ARE RIGHT, HE'S MONEY

After an eventful, yet tough season in 2017, Dash outfielder Blake Rutherford has shined in 2018. The 21-year-old is posting an impressive .296/.340/.453 batting line with six homers, 18 doubles, six triples and a team-best 63 RBIs in 78 games played. Rutherford was traded over to the White Sox from the Yankees in July of 2017 after being selected as a first-round pick by New York in 2016. The California native hit just .213 in 30 games played with the Low-A Kannapolis Intimidators after the trade. However, Rutherford has been consistent with the Dash, especially as of late, as Rutherford is batting .333 in the second half.

GAVIN IS LEAVING A MESSAGE

Sheets has been in a grove in the second half of the season. Through 26 games after the All-Star Break, Sheets is batting .362 (38-for-105) with 10 doubles, two homers and 16 RBIs. A former second-round pick by the White Sox out of Wake Forest University, Sheets' 38 hits since June 21 are tied for fourth-most in all of Minor League Baseball. Prior to joining the White Sox organization, Sheets was a three-year star at Wake, registering 21 homers and 84 RBIs in his final season in 2017.

LUIS IS ALL GROWNS UP

Luis Martinez toes the rubber for Winston-Salem trying to turn things around after a tough outing against Buies Creek. The right-hander allowed five runs in six innings against the Astros but did not factor in the decision. Martinez has not taken a loss in his last seven starts, dating back to a May 30th outing against Myrtle Beach. More information is available on page 3.

DASH DOTS

Martinez's last start marked his 100th career appearance...A star on Winston-Salem's first-half Southern Division championship team, Micker Adolfo underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Tuesday in Chicago, which will make him miss the rest of the season.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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



Carolina League Stories from July 19, 2018


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