Wilmington 4, Winston-Salem 3
W: Josh Mitchell (1-0)
L: Lincoln Henzman (0-1)
S: Julio Pinto (4)
Full box score attached.
WILMINGTON, Del. (July 1, 2018) – Gavin Sheets extended his hittig streak to 15 games and the Dash had the tying at second base in the ninth inning, but fell 4-3 to Wilmington on Sunday at Frawley Stadium.
Wilmington (6-4, 37-43) scored first, plating a run in the bottom of the third against Tanner Banks. Oliver Nunez laid a bunt down on the third base side, but Yeyson Yrizarri overthrew first base, allowing Nunez to take second. He later scored on an RBI double from D.J. Burt.
But, Winston-Salem (7-4, 48-33) responded in the very next inning. After Micker Adolfo drew a one-out walk, the Dash executed a hit-and-run with a single from Sheets, putting runners on the corners with one out. Adolfo came in to score on a fielder’s choice grounder from Yrizarri to tie the game at one.
Sheets finished the game 2-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 15 games while also tallying his sixth consecutive multi-hit contest.
Banks kept the Blue Rocks off balance for the rest of his start. He allowed one run on five hits, striking out five and walking only one in his seven innings to record his 10th straight quality start. The southpaw has now also completed seven innings in four straight outings.
The Dash pulled ahead in the eighth against Josh Mitchell (1-0). Luis Gonzalez led off the frame with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI groundout from Blake Rutherford.
But, the Blue Rocks battled back in the bottom of the eight inning against Lincoln Henzman (0-1). Following back-to-back walks to Angelo Castellano and Blake Perkins, D.J. Burt stroked a single into right field to bring home the tying run. Then, Perkins scored on a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Cancel to give Wilmington a 3-2 lead. The Blue Rocks added one more run when Travis Jones hit a chopper that bounced over Yrizarri’s head at third base, allowing Burt to scored from second.
Winston-Salem began a comeback in the top of the ninth, but ultimately fell short. Sheets and Yrizarri started the inning with back-to-back singles against Julio Pinto, but Pinto recovered to get two quick outs with a 6-4-3 double play. Down to their final strike, the Dash rallied. First, Nate Nolan ripped an RBI single through the left side of the infield to bring in Sheets and shave the Blue Rocks lead to 4-3. But, after Mitch Roman walked, Gonzalez flew out to left-center to end the game.
Winston-Salem continues its series with Wilmington on Sunday, when Dash left-hander John Parke (0-1, 4.50 ERA) toes the rubber against Blue Rocks right-hander Ofreidy Gomez (2-6, 4.29 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
Following their nine-game road trip, the Dash will return for a five-game homestand starting on July 4th. The festivities for the Fourth of July will feature a pregame party beginning at 4:30 p.m., which includes an open Foothill Brewpen, $5 Kids Zone entry and the band Stereo Dolls performing on the patio. Winston-Salem’s contest against the Down East Wood Ducks that day will begin at 6 p.m., and fireworks will follow after the game. For tickets and more information, give us a call at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
