Wilmington 6, Winston-Salem 3
W: Derek Gordon (2-0)
L: Thad Lowry (6-5)
S: None
WILMINGTON, Del. (July 2, 2016) – Nick Basto delivered a two-run single and a solo home run, but Wilmington stymied the rest of the Dash’s offense and claimed the lead for good with a four-run seventh in a 6-3 victory on Saturday night from Frawley Stadium.
One night after setting a Dash-era record with 18 runs, Winston-Salem (4-5, 32-47) plated a pair in the first on that aforementioned run-scoring single from Basto. Hunter Jones, who led off the frame with a double, and Mason Robbins, who followed with a single, scored on the Basto knock.
Alfredo Escalera pulled the Blue Rocks (4-6, 31-48) even with an RBI groundout in both the first and third before Basto’s solo shot propelled the Dash back in front 3-2 in the sixth. Basto is tied for the team lead with nine homers even though Saturday was only his 49th game with Winston-Salem.
In the bottom of the sixth, Wilmington loaded the bases with nobody out against Dash starter Thad Lowry (6-5), but Lowry maintained the one-run edge by striking out Wander Franco and inducing a double play against Chad Johnson.
However, the Blue Rocks would not waste another chance in the seventh. Back-to-back doubles from Austin Bailey and Robert Pehl deadlocked the contest and chased Lowry in favor of Manny Martinez. A Raul Mondesi groundout scored Pehl and gave Wilmington its first lead. Two batters later, Samir Duenez added some insurance with a two-run triple down the right field line against Martinez.
Lowry gave up four runs, all of which were earned, in six-plus innings for his first loss since May 28 at Potomac. The right-hander, who is second in the Carolina League in innings pitched (92.0), had given up exactly one earned run in each of his previous five outings.
Winston-Salem could not muster a legitimate rally against Derek Gordon (2-0), who faced just two more than the minimum over three scoreless innings of relief. Blue Rocks starter Foster Griffin twirled a quality start of six innings and three runs before Gordon perplexed the Dash down the stretch.
In the losing effort, Toby Thomas continued his ridiculous tear with a 3-for-4 effort. Thomas is 8-for-13 (.615) in the series and 17-for-30 (.567) since the All-Star break.
The last of Winston-Salem’s 15 games against Wilmington in 2016 takes place on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. from Frawley Stadium. The Dash send Kelvis Valerio (1-3, 3.72 ERA) to the mound for his third High-A start against fellow right-hander Zach Lovvorn (0-9, 3.74 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 5:50 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Monday for a Fourth of July extravaganza. The Dash and the City of Winston-Salem are teaming up for an afternoon and evening of fun that begins at 4 p.m. and continues through the extended Independence Day Fireworks show after the Dash’s 7 p.m. game. For tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
