CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes

May 27, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


Evened Up: The Red Sox edged the Dash 3-1 last night to tie the three-game series at a game apiece. Peter Hissey's RBI triple off Dan Remenowsky in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a 1-1 tie and Salem snapped its three-game losing streak against Winston-Salem. Through five games between the two teams, the Dash owns the edge in wins (3 to 2) and the teams have each scored 28 runs against the other in the season series. Both teams are hitting .186 (11 for 59) in the current series.

First Half Playoff Race: With the Dash and the Red Sox gunning for the same playoff spot in the Southern Division, this series takes on immense importance, especially for second-place Salem. Tonight's game marks the final time the two teams meet before the second half of the season, meaning that this is the last chance for each team to directly affect the other in the standings. Salem narrowed its deficit in the division to five games with its win last night. Winston's magic number remains at 20. Any combination of 20 Dash wins or Red Sox losses over the final 25 games in the first half will give Winston-Salem the first half crown and a playoff spot.

On the Road, Again: The Dash is currently on its longest road trip of the season, a nine-gamer that brings Winston to Salem, Kinston, and Potomac for three three-game series. This is final leg of a long stretch of road games that the team began in late April. Following this trip, the Dash will have played 23 of its last 33 away from BB&T Ballpark. Playing on the road hasn't seemed to bother Joe McEwing's squad much this year, as its 16-8 road record is the best in the Carolina League this season. It's also better than every other team's home record in 2010.

Griff gets Wiffs: Nevin Griffith has returned to his early-season form over his last two outings. Last night, Griffith allowed just one run on three hits over six innings, striking out six and walking none. In his last three starts, the Brandon, FL native has an ERA of 1.00 (2 ER, 18 IP). Griffith posted an ERA of 0.90 in his first three starts, then a 5.93 ERA in his next three prior to this recent hot stretch. Despite pitching well lately, he is winless in his last five starts.

Ozzie's World: Ozzie Lewis provided nearly all the offense last night for Winston-Salem. He went 3 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI. He picked up all but one of the Dash's hits and raised his season batting average to .331, good enough for third in the Carolina League. His RBI double in the seventh was his first RBI in six games.

Best Record Watch: Despite last night's loss, the Dash still owns the best record in major or minor league baseball. The team's .696 winning percentage is the best this side of the AAA-equivalent (but unaffiliated) Mexican League. Pericos de Puebla has the best record in professional baseball with a 37-14 mark (.725).

Staff Streaking: Griffith's start continued an excellent stretch for the Dash's pitching staff. The starters have pitched into the sixth inning in each of the last 11 ballgames and the team has posted a collective 2.15 ERA (22 ER, 92 IP) in the last eight contests. The team ERA stands at 3.57, third in the Carolina League this season.

Swinging a Good Stick: The Dash's season batting average stands at .304, the second best mark in the majors or minors. Only the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes have a better average (.313). Winston's average is still the best in the Carolina League by 31 points (Lynchburg is the closest with a .272 average). Winston has five players in the top ten in the league in batting average: Brandon Short (2nd, .363), Ozzie Lewis (3rd, .331), Jon Gilmore (4th, .328), Justin Greene (7th, .325), and Drew Garcia (9th, .323). The team's 289 runs are the most of any team, majors or minors.

Iron Man 2: Only three players in the Carolina League have played every game and two of them are on the Dash. Justin Greene and Brandon Short have been Winston-Salem's iron men, playing in all 46 games this season. Wilmington's Eric Hosmer has also played every game in 2010.

Today's Opposing Starter: RHP Stolmy Pimentel (4-2, 4.28) makes his tenth start of the season and his first against the Dash. Despite playing his home games in a pitcher's haven, Pimentel has been vastly better on the road this season than at Lewis-Gale Field. In four home starts, he is 1-2 with an 8.00 ERA. He is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA on the road in five starts. A 20-year-old from San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic, Pimentel entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the 11th-best prospect in the Boston minor league system. The Red Sox signed him as a 16-year-old for just $25,000 and he has been impressive since turning professional. In his first season pitching for a full-season team, Pimentel went 10-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 2009 for the Greenville Drive. He uses a 90-92 mph four-seam fastball to pound the upper parts of the strike zone and also features a very good changeup and a curveball that needs work.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics



Carolina League Stories from May 27, 2010


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