BACK-TO-BACK BLASTS NOT ENOUGH AGAINST HAPP, PELICANS

Myrtle Beach 6, Winston-Salem 4

W: Tommy Thorpe (1-1)
L: Matt Cooper (0-1)
S: David Berg (2)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 18, 2016) – Ian Happ’s monster night overcame back-to-back home runs from Winston-Salem in the Pelicans’ 6-4 win over the Dash on Monday night at BB&T Ballpark.
Happ, a first-round selection by the Cubs in 2015, ended the night 4-for-5 with two home runs and 4 RBIs. His second home run of the game, a three-shot in the seventh inning, gave the Pelicans a commanding 6-1 lead.
After scratching home a run in seventh to make it 6-2, the Dash (3-9) showcased some power in the eighth against Myrtle Beach reliever Daury Torrez.
Leading off the inning, Marcus Davis smashed a home run to right, his first of the season and the first dinger of the season at BB&T Ballpark for a Dash player. Brett Austin followed with a solo shot to right-center to make it 6-4. It marked the first time the Dash hit back-to-back home runs in a regular season game since July 7, 2013, when the Rangel Ravelo and Courtney Hawkins hit back-to-back bombs against Myrtle Beach.
However, David Berg replaced Torrez and retired all six he faced to clinch the victory for Myrtle Beach (6-6). As a result, Winston-Salem has dropped five in a row to begin its home slate, which matches the longest home losing streak for the club since BB&T Ballpark opened in 2010.
For the fourth time in five home games at BB&T Ballpark, the visiting team scored first. With runners on first and second, Jason Vosler plated Gleyber Torres off starter Matt Cooper (0-1) to put Myrtle Beach ahead 1-0.
Scoring in odd-numbered innings would be a theme for most of the night for the Pelicans. In the third, Happ hit his first home run of the game to right-center field to make it 2-0.
Happ continued to establish his presence at the plate. With a runner on third and two outs, Happ stroked an RBI single to center to make it 3-0. Cooper, making his second start against the Pelicans this season, allowed seven hits and three runs through five innings.
Myrtle Beach starter Tommy Thorpe (1-1) cruised into the sixth before he ran into some trouble. With runners on first and third and one out, Marcus Davis ripped a double down the right-field line to make it 3-1, chasing Thorpe out of the game. With runners on second and third and one out and the game in balance, Torrez would retire Austin and Louie Lechich to end the threat.
Marcus Davis extended his hitting streak to six games with his 2-for-4 performance. Kelvis Valerio and Danny Dopico provided some solid relief, each throwing a shutout frame.
The Dash’s opening homestand continues Tuesday at 7 p.m. with the second of a three-game set against the Pelicans. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Thad Lowry (0-1, 4.00 ERA) to the mound against right Jonathan Martinez (1-0, 2.25 ERA). Fans can catch the game online at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv or the TuneIn Radio App. The Pregame Dash starts at 6:45.
Tickets are still available for the Dash’s series with the Pelicans, and fans can purchase them by calling (336) 714-2287 or visiting wsdash.com