DASH OUTHIT RED SOX TO SALVAGE ROAD TRIP FINALE
Winston-Salem 11, Salem 7
W: Kelvis Valerio (2-2)
L: Roenis Elias (0-1)
S: None
SALEM, Va. (May 7, 2017) – Winston-Salem’s offense exploded for nine runs over the first three innings and set a season-high with 15 hits as the Dash hung on for an 11-7 victory in the series finale against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Haley Toyota Field.
In the win, Ronald Bueno extended his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest by a Dash batter in 2017, with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Bueno’s three-hit day was his first since August of 2015, when he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization. During this 11-game stretch, the 26-year-old is hitting .380 (16-for-42).
Roenis Elias’ (0-1) rehab stint did not start well for the Red Sox, as the left-hander walked Luis Basabe and Bueno on nine combined pitches. Landon Lassiter took advantage of the early opportunity, roping an RBI double to put Winston (11-20) ahead 1-0. Three batters later, Brady Conlan tripled to bring in Lassiter and Bueno for a 3-0 Dash lead.
Danny Mendick continued the offensive attack in the second, launching a laser shot down the left field line for his second home run of the year.
Winston-Salem would tack on five more in the third. Louis Silverio smacked an RBI single that scored Zack Collins, who registered his first career triple to lead off the frame. Toby Thomas then followed with an RBI double before Mendick and Lassiter smacked RBIs singles, the first of which brought home a second run on an error by Mike Meyers, to give the Dash a 9-0 edge.
However, the Red Sox (19-11) would not go down quietly. Michael Chavis took Dash starter Dane Dunning deep in the bottom of the third, blasting a three-run homer to left. Chavis’ long ball ended a stretch of 32.2 consecutive innings between Low-A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem for Dunning without an earned run allowed. The former Florida Gator, who made his second High-A start on Sunday, ultimately went 2.2 innings, allowing three runs and two walks while striking out six.
Jose Sermo added a two-run double against Dash reliever Kelvis Valerio (2-2), who entered the game in the third, making it 10-5 after five innings.
Valerio would settle down after that, tossing 4.1 innings of long relief to earn the victory. Ryan Riga surrendered two runs in the ninth, but closed out the contest with two frames out of the bullpen.
Despite the victory, Lassiter had to leave the game in the fourth after colliding with Basabe in the outfield as both of them went after a fly ball hit by Meyers. The High Point native was replaced in right field by Aaron Schnurbusch, and will be evaluated further when the team returns to Winston-Salem.
Following a league-wide off day on Monday, the Dash open up a quick three-game homestand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Tuesday evening at BB&T Ballpark. Right-hander Aron McRee (0-4, 5.14 ERA) takes the ball for Winston-Salem in the opener against Pelicans righty Adbert Alzolay (2-0, 3.00 ERA). All the action for that 7 p.m. tilt will be available online at wsdash.com/broadcast and via the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam’s three-game set with Myrtle Beach begins with a Two for $22 deal, where fans can purchase two infield box seats and two Pepsi products for $22 by calling the Dash in advance of Tuesday’s game. The home series concludes on National Eat What You Want Day, as well as a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday. For tickets to any of these contests, contact the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
