SALEM, Va. (May 23, 2016) – The Dash cranked out 15 hits and salvaged a series split with the Salem Red Sox thanks to a 5-3 win at LewisGale Field on Monday night.
Every starter in the Dash lineup had at least one hit, and six hitters had at least two knocks. Winston-Salem improved to 5-3 in road games against the Red Sox (30-14), the best team in the Carolina League.
The Dash’s defense was also spectacular on Monday night. Leading by one in the seventh, Salem’s Franklin Guzman ripped a ball into the right-center field gap, and second baseman Toby Thomas gunned down the Salem batter at third on a strong relay throw to end the inning. One inning later, with the score still 4-3, Mason Robbins recorded his sixth outfield assist of the year on a throw to second to retire Mike Meyers and complete the frame.
The Dash (17-28) struck first in the second inning off Salem starter Matt Kent (2-3). Marcus Davis led off the frame with a triple, and Robbins drove him in on sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Winston-Salem added to its lead in the following frame. After an Adam Engel one-out double, Hunter Jones smacked an RBI single to left to put Winston-Salem up two. Gerson Montilla followed with an RBI double down the left field line to make it a 3-0 game. He now has 17 RBIs in his last 11 games and a team-high 35 overall.
Marcus Davis capped the inning with a two-out RBI double to put the Dash up 4-0.
Salem would counter with a big third of its own off Dash starter Thad Lowry (3-3). With the bases loaded and one out, Mauricio Dubon grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 4-1. The next batter, Mike Meyers, stroked a two-run single to left to cut the Dash lead to 4-3.
That would be the only scoring inning for the Red Sox. Lowry tossed six innings and allowed three earned runs en route to his third High-A win. Andre Wheeler picked up his second save of the season by spinning three scoreless innings, with some of the aforementioned defense helping him along the way.
Winston-Salem added an insurance run in the ninth inning. With a runners on first and third and one out, Robbins lined an RBI single into left to make it 5-3.
With the win, the Dash finished their seven-game road trip to Myrtle Beach and Salem, the top two teams in the Southern Division, with a 3-4 record.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday for the first of three against the Frederick Keys. Winston-Salem sends Jordan Stephens (0-5, 5.06 ERA) to the bump against Frederick right-hander Matthew Grimes (5-2, 1.61 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m., with the Pregame Dash beginning at 6:45 p.m. Fans can tune into Tuesday’s broadcast on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
Tuesday’s game also happens to be the Dash’s next All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night. Fans in attendance will enjoy all the hot dogs and burgers they can handle through the seventh inning, and normal ticket prices apply! For your seats, call the Dash at(336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
