Salem 7, Winston-Salem 3
W: Jake Cosart (2-0)
L: Bernardo Flores (4-4)
S: Matthew Gorst (8)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 7, 2018) – Despite another quality start from left-hander Bernardo Flores, the Dash fell to Salem 7-3 in the series finale on Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark.
Thursday marked the ninth quality start of the season for Flores, who pitched seven innings and allowed three earned runs in the loss while striking out four.
Salem (28-28) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After Flores (4-4) got Santiago Espinal to fly out on the first pitch of the game, the next four Red Sox batters reached via three singles and a fielding error by Ti’Quan Forbes.
The Red Sox doubled their lead in the top of the second. After Trenton Kemp led off the inning with a single, he advanced to second on a passed ball. Chris Madera then moved Kemp over to third on a sacrifice bunt, and Carlos Tovar followed with a single to score Kemp and make it 2-0 Salem.
Meanwhile, Bryan Mata limited the Winston-Salem (33-27) offense to just two hits through the first four innings, but, the Dash offense answered in the bottom of the fifth.
Micker Adolfo led off the inning with a single up the middle, and, after two outs were recorded, Mitch Roman singled and Luis Basabe walked to load the bases. Forbes followed with a two-run single to left field to tie the game. Then, as Alex Call drew a walk, Basabe scored from third on a passed ball by Roldani Baldwin to give Winston-Salem a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh, though, Salem responded by retaking the lead against Flores. After Tovar reached on a throwing error by Forbes, Espinal homered to left field to make it a 4-3 contest.
Salem added an insurance run against reliever Kyle Kubat in the top of the eighth inning. After Dalbec doubled to lead off the inning, he then scored on a two-out double from Kemp.
The Red Sox proceeded to break the game open in the top of the ninth by plating two more runs against Kubat. Espinal, Netzer and Dalbec all reached on singles to load the bases, and Baldwin then lined a two-run single to cap the scoring.
After Mata left the game in the fifth, the Red Sox bullpen did not allow a hit over the course of the final four innings. Right-hander Jake Cosart (2-0) struck out the side in the sixth en route to earning the win, and Matthew Gorst tossed two scoreless frames to record his eighth save of the season.
Next, the #DashToThePostseason continues with a three-game road trip to Five County Stadium to take on the Caroilna Mudcats. Left-hander Tanner Banks (4-2, 2.86 ERA) will start for the Dash on Friday. The Dash will return to BB&T Ballpark next Monday for a seven-game homestand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
The promotional slate for Winston-Salem’s upcoming homestand includes a Free Food Tuesday, a Pups in the Park outing on Wednesday, a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, Hometown Heroes USA Night and postgame fireworks on Friday, a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night on Saturday and a Father’s Day Sunday. Meanwhile, kids can run the bases after each weekend contest, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. For tickets and more information, call the Dash (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
