WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 17, 2016) – Behind Tanner Banks’ seven shutout innings and Mason Robbins’ two hits and two RBIs, Winston-Salem collected its fifth straight home win, 6-1 over first-place Salem in front of 5,457 fans on Fridaynight at BB&T Ballpark.
Banks (1-0) pitched seven innings in his second start for the Dash, and he gave up just three hits. This was Banks’ first start at BB&T Ballpark after joining Winston-Salem on June 8.
The first Dash hit came in the bottom of the third off the bat of Zach Fish, who went 2-for-3. Cleuluis Rondon, who also had a strong day at the plate at 2-for-4, followed with a double down the left field line. Robbins’ double drove in the first two Dash runs off Salem starter Jalen Beeks (4-4), who lasted 4.2 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs.
A pair of errors from Salem (41-26) shortstop Mauricio Dubon in the fourth allowed the Dash to make it a 3-0 game. Chris O’Dowd reached first on the error, moving to second on a Fish single. Hunter Jones made it to first on an infield single, and a low throw from Dubon allowed O’Dowd to score on the play.
Robbins jumpstarted a three-run seventh with a triple over the head of Salem center fielder Danny Mars. Salem reliever German Taveras surrendered a free pass to Nick Basto, followed by a base hit from Marcus Davis, to give the Dash a 4-0 lead.
Toby Thomas’ single loaded the bases, and an O’Dowd walk made it 5-0, forcing reliever Jamie Callahan to take the place of Taveras on the mound. Callahan pushed across the final Dash run after hitting Fish upon entry.
Reliever Jacob Morris surrendered the one Salem run in the eighth on a Dubon sacrifice fly that scored Mars from third. Morris stranded the bases loaded in the ninth as the Dash completed their second straight win over the Red Sox.
Winston-Salem plays game three against Salem at BB&T Ballpark on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The Dash hand the ball to righty Kelvis Valerio (1-2, 3.95 ERA), while left-hander Trey Ball (3-3, 2.60 ERA) starts for Salem.
The Dash’s weekend homestand features a fireworks show on Saturday, presented by Caterpillar. Kids Run the Bases will take place on Saturday and Sunday after the game, and it is presented by Fleet Feet. Sunday also includes a Father’s Day Play Catch on the Field. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com for tickets.
