Buies Creek 4, Winston-Salem 3
W: Gabriel Valdez (5-3)
L: Blake Hickman (2-3)
S: Tommy DeJuneas (2)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 14, 2018) – Despite a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dash fell 4-3 to Buies Creek on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark.
With Winston-Salem (15-8, 56-37) trailing 4-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Yermin Mercedes reached on an error with one out. Ti’Quan Forbes followed with a single to left center to put runners on first and second. After Mercedes and Forbes advanced to second and third on a wild pitch from Tommy DeJuneas, Zach Remillard stroked a two-run single to center to bring the Dash within one. But, Luis Gonzalez flew out to end the ballgame, as the rally came up just short.
The Dash ceded control of the contest to the Astros (16-8, 53-40) following a tough first inning. After walking the first three batters of the game to load the bases, Blake Hickman (2-3) issued three more walks to force in three runs for Buies Creek.
Hickman was replaced by Drew Hasler, who proceeded to get out of the bases-loaded, nobody out jam by inducing a popout and a 6-4-3 double play.
Meanwhile, the Dash cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the first. After Laz Rivera singled, Blake Rutherford lined a triple into the right-field corner to put Winston-Salem on the board.
Hasler went on to retire nine straight batters and work four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and walking one. The rest of the Dash bullpen strung together six scoreless innings of work after Hickman exited. Connor Walsh replaced Hasler in the fifth and tossed two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and walking three.
However, Buies Creek extended its lead in the eighth when Jake Adams lined a solo home run off Mike Morrison to make it a 4-1 game. Gabriel Valdez (5-3) tossed three shutout innings in relief of Astros starter Jose Hernandez to earn the win.
The Dash continue their series with the Buies Creek Astros on Sunday at 2 p.m., when right-hander Blake Battenfield (1-1, 5.32 ERA) squares off with right-hander Carson LaRue (4-5, 4.76 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 p.m. and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App. Fans can also watch locally on My48 (WXLV).
Sunday’s game is a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, and kids can run the bases after the game, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. Additionally, the Dash will celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday by offering $3 ice cream cones. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
