Winston-Salem 1, Wilmington 0 (F/11)
W: Kelvis Valerio (1-1)
L: Jake Kalish (0-1)
S: None
WILMINGTON, Del. (April 23, 2017) – Five Dash pitchers combined to blank Wilmington over 11 innings as the Dash edged the Blue Rocks 1-0 in the back half of a doubleheader at Frawley Stadium on Sunday.
After 17 innings of scoreless baseball dating back to their shutout loss in Sunday’s opener, the Dash (6-12) broke through in the 11th of the nightcap. Aaron Schnurbusch led off with a triple to the wall in left-center field. Landon Lassiter, whom the White Sox re-signed one week ago today, immediately brought Schnurbusch home by lacing an RBI double that landed just inside the left field line for the only run of the contest.
Kelvis Valerio (1-0) gave up a leadoff single to Wander Franco in the home half of the frame but zipped a lightning pickoff throw mere seconds later to erase the Wilmington designated hitter. He retired the next two Blue Rocks (7-10) to close out the win, during which he spun 2.2 scoreless innings.
Ryan Riga, Ian Hamilton, Aaron Bummer and Valerio were brilliant in relief of Dash starter Brannon Easterling, combining to spin 6.1 scoreless innings while fanning six. Easterling contributed 4.2 innings on the hill, striking out four to total 23 strikeouts in his first 19.2 High-A innings.
Runners were at a premium in the first half of the twin bill, as Winston-Salem managed just five men on the bags. Blue Rocks southpaw Foster Griffin stymied the Dash through six frames and Wilmington cruised to an 8-0 win.
In game two, however, nine of the first 15 Dash batters reached base, but Winston-Salem could not push across a run. Luis Basabe was among those on the base paths, as the White Sox eighth-best prospect per MLB Pipeline extended his hitting streak to eight games with a frozen rope single to lead off the third.
Scott Blewett scattered six hits over six scoreless innings for Wilmington, striking out five while walking three. Jake Kalish (0-1) took the loss for Wilmington after giving up his first run of the season.
After an off day on Monday, the Dash return home to BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday. Winston-Salem will do battle with the Buies Creek Astros in a three-game series from Tuesday to Thursday. Right-hander Max Beatty (0-1, 3.63 ERA) goes to work against Astros lefty Alex Winkelman (0-0, 0.00 ERA) in the opener. All the action is available at wsdash.com/broadcast, starting with the Pregame Dash at 6:45 p.m. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
#YourHomeTeam’s next homestand is packed with promotions, starting with our Two for $22 Tuesday deal where fans can receive two infield box seats and two Pepsi soft drinks for just $22. This package must be purchased in advance. BB&T Ballpark hosts its first Education Day of the season on Wednesday at 11 a.m. before another Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday concludes the homestand, with $1 beers available through the seventh inning. For tickets and more details, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
