Winston-Salem 8, Carolina 0
W: Matt Cooper (3-4)
L: Max Povse (3-3)
S: None
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 2, 2016) – Behind a masterful performance from starter Matt Cooper and a 13-hit effort from the Winston-Salem offense, the Dash cruised past the Carolina Mudcats in an 8-0 win on Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark.
Cooper (3-4), who leads the Minor Leagues with 86 strikeouts, punched out 11 batters and allowed just two hits in eight frames. The 24-year-old has now thrown eight innings and struck out double-digit batters in each of his last two starts.
Winston-Salem (20-34) went to work early and often against Mudcats (21-30) right-hander Max Povse (3-3). After a leadoff single from Hunter Jones, Mason Robbins bounced an infield single to the right side. A throwing error by Mudcats second baseman Ryan Gebhardt on the play allowed Jones to hustle around and score the game’s first run. Gerson Montilla followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Dash up 2-0.
In the second inning, with a runner on second and two outs, Cleuluis Rondon stroked an RBI single to center to make it a 3-0 game. The Dash shortstop went 3-for-4 on the night, posting his first three-hit performance of the season.
The Dash added another run in the third on an RBI single by Keon Barnum to put Winston-Salem up four. The Dash first baseman has now hit safely in 19 of his 24 starts.
Winston capped its scoring against Povse in the fourth on a Jones RBI single in the fourth inning. Povse finished the contest throwing five frames and allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned).
Winston-Salem added one run in the seven and two more in the eighth off Carolina reliever Zach Bird to match its most lopsided victory of the season.
Marcus Davis extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a 1-for-4 performance. Euclides Leyer worked a scoreless ninth to cap off the win.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Friday at 7 p.m. for the rubber match of a three-game set against Carolina. The Dash will send right-hander Thad Lowry (3-4, 4.75 ERA) to the bump against Mudcats righty Ryan Clark (0-5, 6.38 ERA). The Pregame Dash begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can tune in on wsdash.com/broadcast or the TuneIn Radio App.
Friday’s contest will feature a postgame fireworks show, presented by AT&T. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com for tickets.
