BUIES CREEK, N.C. (June 18, 2017) – Winston-Salem jumped out to a 4-0 lead after four innings, but the Buies Creek Astros rallied to force extra innings, where they walked off with an unearned run in the 10th to claim a 5-4 win on Sunday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium.
Buies Creek (37-33) overcame the Dash’s early surge by chipping away with one in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the eighth. In the 10th, Alex DeGoti coaxed a five-pitch, leadoff walk against Jake Johansen (0-1). After a sacrifice bunt, Jake Rogers hit a sharp grounder back to Johansen, who knocked it down with his legs. However, his throw to first base bounced past Louis Silverio, allowing DeGoti to score the game-winning run.
The All-Star Silverio started the game’s scoring with a leadoff homer in the second, his first long ball in exactly a month. Silverio sparked a three-run fourth with an RBI double to score Zack Collins, who worked his Carolina League-leading 52nd walk immediately beforehand. Silverio later scored on an Aaron Schnurbusch fielder’s choice, and Landon Lassiter capped the frame with an RBI double to right-center.
The first two runs from the Astros came around on RBI groundouts by Rodrigo Ayarza and Rogers. In the eighth, Rogers and Randy Cesar delivered run-scoring singles, with the latter of those two being an infield knock with two down in the frame.
Winston-Salem starter Luis Martinez left with a chance to collect his first High-A victory after limiting Buies Creek to one run on three hits over five innings. Out of the bullpen, Yelmison Peralta worked two-plus innings and gave up the Astros’ second, third and fourth runs. Johansen allowed two inherited runners in the eighth to score before a flawless ninth and the deciding 10th.
Due to Sunday’s loss, Winston-Salem recorded its worst single-half performance of the Dash era (2009-present). The Dash never escaped last place in the Southern Division’s standings during the 74-day half. In 2015, the Dash posted the Carolina League’s worst first-half record before flipping the script and qualifying for the playoffs via a second-half division crown at 45-23.
Following a three-day All-Star Break, the Dash will return to action on Thursday for the first series of the season’s second half. Winston-Salem entertains Buies Creek for a four-game series that will be packed with promotions, including a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday and a “Dash of the Past” Night in the opener. For tickets to this homestand, which also features a FireworksFriday and a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Saturday, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
Four players–left-hander Tanner Banks, Collins, infielder Danny Mendick and Silverio–will represent Winston-Salem inTuesday’s All-Star Game at Haley Toyota Field, in Salem, Va., the home of the Salem Red Sox. Follow along with all of the action on salemsox.com and Salem’s social media channels.
