Myrtle Beach 3, Winston-Salem 2 (F/11)
W: David Berg (2-0)
L: Colin Kleven (1-2)
S: James Farris (4)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 2, 2016) – The Dash’s home struggles continued in the first of a seven-game homestand Monday night thanks to Myrtle Beach’s 3-2, 11-inning victory at BB&T Ballpark.
Down 2-1 in the seventh, Dash first baseman Nick Basto smashed a solo shot off Myrtle Beach southpaw Tommy Thorpe to tie the game at two. Basto is now the first player in the minors with 40 hits and has four home runs in his last six contests.
After both teams went scoreless in the next three frames, the Pelicans (12-11) broke the tie in the 11th. With runners on second and third with one out against Colin Kleven (1-2), Daniel Lockhart hit a ground ball to second base. Dash second baseman Toby Thomas threw home on the play, but Jason Vosler slid in safely giving Myrtle Beach a 3-2 edge on the fielder’s choice.
The Dash put a runner on second with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Pelicans closer James Farris locked down his fourth save of the year by striking out Mason Robbins. As a result, Winston-Salem is now 2-9 to open the season at BB&T Ballpark.
After a 12-minute delay to prepare the field after an afternoon shower, the Pelicans struck quickly in the first. With two outs and a runner on first, Yasiel Balaguert rocked a two-run shot to left off Dash starter Blair Walters. Walters would settle down after that, though. He delivered his second quality start of the season by going six innings and allowing only four hits and two runs.
The Dash (10-15) would string together a run in the second without the use of a hit. Basto began the inning with a walk, and Marcus Davis followed by reaching on an error by Balaguert. After Robbins moved the runners up to second and third with a groundout, Brett Austin drove in Basto on an RBI groundout to second to make it 2-1.
That’s all the Dash would muster off Pelicans starter Jake Stinnett. The righty went five innings, yielding only two hits, one walk and the aforementioned unearned run. David Berg (2-0) picked up the win for Myrtle Beach, going two and a third innings, allowing three hits and zero runs.
Winston-Salem reliever Jacob Morris tossed three shutout frames. The righty has now thrown nine and two-thirds scoreless frames to start the season.
The Dash continue their week-long homestand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Myrtle Beach. Winston-Salem sends ace Spencer Adams (3-0, 3.46 ERA) to the bump against fellow right-hander Jonathan Martinez (1-1, 3.75 ERA). Fans can tune into the broadcast on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv or the TuneIn Radio App, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.
The current homestand at BB&T Ballpark includes a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, Fireworks Friday (presented by Piedmont Sheet Metal), Princess Night and much more. For your tickets, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
