Winston-Salem 4, Down East 0
W: Tanner Banks (6-3)
L: Emerson Martinez (0-6)
S: None
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 13, 2017) – Tanner Banks hurled his second career nine-inning complete game shutout, and Zack Collins launched his team-leading 10th home run of the season to propel the Dash to a 4-0 victory over the Wood Ducks on Tuesday evening at BB&T Ballpark.
In the win, the Carolina League All-Star scattered five hits and two walks with six strikeouts sprinkled over a career-high 106 pitches (70 for strikes). Banks (6-3) has now thrown three complete games at the High-A level, and four overall in his career.
Following a one-hour, 22-minute rain delay, Winston-Salem (22-43) kick-started its offense in the opening frame. In his first game back with the Dash since 2014, Courtney Hawkins laced a one-out single to left off Down East (22-42) starter Emerson Martinez (0-6) before moving to third on a ground-rule double by Collins.
Two batters later, Louis Silverio smoked a grounder to third that rattled off the glove of Luis La O, allowing Hawkins to score and give Winston-Salem a 1-0 advantage.
Collins doubled the Dash lead in the third, blistering a solo shot to the top of the Nature’s Select Knoll to make it 2-0 Winston.
The Dash plated two more in their half of the fifth. Hawkins blooped a run-scoring single to center field, his 149th career RBI with Winston-Salem, that brought home Brady Conlan, who reached on a two-base error to begin the frame.
After Collins collected his Carolina League-leading 49th free pass to load the bases, Telvin Nash lofted a fly ball to left that was deep enough to bring in Danny Mendick from third base and push the Dash out to a 4-0 lead.
Ricardo Rodriguez spun two scoreless innings in relief of Martinez, striking out four Winston-Salem batters. The Venezuelan native has now set down 33 straight batters over his last eight appearances, with 16 of them going down via the strikeout.
The Dash wrap up their first half home slate on Wednesday at 7 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark with the finale of their three-game set against the Wood Ducks. Right-hander Zach Thompson (1-6, 5.71 ERA) will take the hill for Winston-Salem against Down East southpaw Wes Benjamin (3-6, 5.94 ERA). Pregame coverage commences at 6:45 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Pups in the Park Night returns on Wednesday evening as the Dash and Wood Ducks conclude their series from BB&T Ballpark. Call (336) 714-6891 to purchase your $5 pooch pass in advance of Wednesday’s tilt, and don’t miss the pregame Puppy Parade on the field. All proceeds will go to an animal-related nonprofit. For tickets and more information, contact the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
