WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 24, 2016) – After smacking 15 hits on Thursday, the Dash mustered just three knocks in a 3-1 loss to the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark.
In the losing effort, one of the White Sox 2016 first-round selections, right-handed flamethrower Zack Burdi, made his High-A debut. Burdi, who was selected 26th overall in this year’s draft, came into the game in the eighth inning and allowed three hits and one earned run in one inning of work. The University of Louisville star’s fastball surpassed 100 mph several times in his second Minor League appearance.
Dash starter Spencer Adams (7-5), who is rated the third-best prospect in the White Sox organization by Baseball America, threw seven innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs in a losing effort. The right-hander has now logged a Carolina League-leading 94.2 innings this season. The 20-year-old has also tossed seven or more innings in six out of his last eight starts.
With the loss, Winston-Salem (1-1, 29-43) falls to 5-4 against the Blue Rocks (1-1, 28-43) this season and 4-2 against Wilmington at BB&T Ballpark.
For the second straight game, the Dash plated the game’s first run in the second inning. With a runner on second and two outs, Brett Austin delivered an RBI double against Blue Rocks starter Corey Ray (3-2) to give Winston-Salem a 1-0 edge.
That ended up being Ray’s only blemish. The righty allowed just two hits and one earned run in six innings of work.
The Blue Rocks finally broke through in the fifth. Cody Jones stroked a two-out RBI double to tie the contest at one. Humberto Arteaga followed with a single to center, but Hunter Jones was able to gun down the runner Jones at home plate to keep it a 1-1 game.
However, Wilmington took their first lead of the series in the seventh. Austin Bailey led off the inning with a triple, and, two batters later, Chad Johnson skied a sacrifice fly to left that gave the Blue Rocks a 2-1 lead.
Wilmington added to its lead in the eighth on a two-out RBI double by Brandon Downes off Burdi. Bailey followed with a single to center, but once again Jones threw out a runner at home to end the inning. The Carolina League All-Star is now tied with Mason Robbins for the team-lead with nine outfield assists.
Left-hander Ryan Riga made his High-A debut on Friday and delivered a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Along with his defensive gems, Jones extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the eighth.
The Dash continue their four-game set against the Blue Rocks at BB&T Ballpark on Saturday at 4 p.m. Winston-Salem sends left-hander Tanner Banks (1-0, 3.46 ERA) to the rubber against Wilmington southpaw Matt Tenuta (3-5, 5.29 ERA). The Pregame Dash begins at 3:45 p.m., and fans can tune in online at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv or the TuneIn App.
The current homestand includes Saturday’s Energize the Ballpark Night, presented by Eanes Heating and Air, which features a postgame concert from former American Idol star Danny Gokey. Sunday’s series finale will be a Lowes Foods FamilySunday, where fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and sodas through the first inning. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visitwsdash.com for tickets.
