ZEBULON, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2016) – Brett Austin clubbed a homer and tied a career-high with four RBIs, but a wild pitch was the difference in Winston-Salem’s 6-5, 12-inning loss to Carolina on Monday night at Five County Stadium.
A former star at North Carolina State University, Austin gave the Dash their first lead with a three-run homer in the fourth and added an RBI single in Winston-Salem’s two-run fifth in his return to the Raleigh area. Austin now has eight home runs and 38 RBIs on the season.
However, Carolina (14-24, 43-65) bounced back from a 5-2 deficit to claim the series opener. After plating a pair in the fifth, Carolina did not muster another legitimate rally until the ninth.
Kelvis Valerio (3-4) blazed through a perfect eighth with two punchouts, but he permitted a leadoff single by Tanner Murphy in the ninth. Pinch runner Erison Mendez reached second on a J.B. Moss sacrifice bunt and scored on a Ryan Gebhardt single up the middle that grazed shortstop Ryan Leonards’ glove before trickling into the outfield grass.
Both teams remained off the scoreboard until the 12th, when Luis Valenzuela leveled a leadoff double to right-center. Following another sacrifice and an intentional walk, Valerio fanned Isaias Tejeda for the second out. However, Keith Curcio was able to avoid an errant pitch from hitting him on the leg, and the ball scooted past Austin for the game-winning wild pitch.
Thus, Winston-Salem (17-21, 45-63) falls to 2-6 in extra-inning affairs, while the club is riding an eight-game road losing streak, which ties the longest such skid of the Dash era (2009-present). This marks the third time in Dash history that Winston has lost eight consecutive games away from BB&T Ballpark.
Carolina seized an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Leonards throwing error before Austin’s homer and single sparked the Dash’s big two-inning push in the fourth and the fifth. However, the Mudcats responded with one in their half of the fourth and two unearned runs in the fifth.
Dash starter Jordan Stephens gave up four runs, only two of which were earned, over five innings before Jacob Morris spun two hitless frames. Valerio suffered both a blown save and a loss, though he did put together the longest relief appearance by a Winston-Salem hurler in 2016.
All five Dash runs came against starter Andrew Thurman, who lasted 4.2 innings. The bullpen trio of Raymar Navarro, Carlos Portuondo and Taylor Lewis (4-1) combined to spin 7.1 scoreless frames, with Lewis retiring the final seven he faced to earn the win and lower his High-A ERA to 0.53.
This Southern Division series continues Tuesday at 7 p.m. from Five County Stadium. Winston-Salem sends Zach Thompson (2-1, 6.55 ERA) to the bump against fellow right-hander Matt Withrow (5-5, 4.67 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App. The game is also available on MiLB.tv (Mudcats feed/broadcasters).
Following this quick road trip, the Dash return to BB&T Ballpark on Thursday for a seven-game homestand. The fun begins with a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, featuring $1 beers and Pokémon Lure Modules, and continues with a Fireworks Fridayand a Food Truck Saturday. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
