RAYADOS FALL 11-1 TO WOOD DUCKS IN SERIES FINALE
Down East 11, Winston-Salem 1
W: Sal Mendez (1-0)
L: Blake Hickman (0-2)
S: None
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 24, 2018) – Sporting their Rayados jerseys as part of Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversion”, the Winston-Salem Dash fell to the Down East Wood Ducks 11-1 in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at BB&T Ballpark.
Despite the loss, Winston-Salem (3-1, 44-30) still captured a series victory over Down East (1-3, 36-38) by winning the first three games of the four-game series.
Right-hander Blake Hickman (0-2) got the start for the Rayados and pitched a 1-2-3 first inning, but in the top of the second inning, Down East took a 2-0 lead. After Hickman issued a two-out walk, Josh Altmann drilled the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence for a two-run homer.
The Wood Ducks proceeded to add on in the top of the third. Franklin Rollin singled to lead off the inning, and Eric Jenkins lined a triple to right field to bring home another run. Leody Taveras followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0 contest. Hickman retired the next two batters on a popout and a groundout to third, but Chuck Leblanc singled with two outs to score Taveras.
In the top of the fourth, Down East plated two more runs to make it 7-0. Hickman issued a leadoff walk to Altmann, who advanced to third on Melvin Novoa’s single and scored on a sacrifice flyout from Franklin Rollin. Jenkins then reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Taveras’s second single of the game.
Winston-Salem scored its lone run against Down East left-hander Sal Mendez (1-0) in the bottom of the fifth. Yeyson Yrizarri led off with a single, then advanced to second on Zach Remillard’s single. Yrizarri later scored on a fielder’s choice grounder from Laz Rivera.
The Wood Ducks got the run right back in the top of the sixth, though, as Altmann hit his second homer of the day off of Drew Hasler, a solo shot to left field.
Down East plated another in the top of the seventh against Cameron Seitzer, as Anderson Tejeda drew a walk and advanced to second and third on two wild pitches, then scored on a double from Andretty Cordero.
Jenkins, Taveras, Tejeda and Cordero hit four straight singles against Lincoln Henzman in the top of the eighth to plate two more runs for Down East and make it an 11-1 contest.
Next, Winston-Salem will start a nine-game road trip beginning with a five-game series against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field. Right-hander Blake Battenfield will make his High-A debut on Monday night at 7 p.m. against Frederick starter Lucas Humpal (2-6, 4.79 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 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 Woodies that day will begin at 6:30 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.
