WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 19, 2016) – A six-run fourth inning, which included a grand slam by Mason Robbins, propelled the Dash to a 13-7 series-splitting victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Tuesday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark.
After an RBI walk by Gerson Montilla gave Winston-Salem (12-13, 40-55) a 5-4 edge in the fourth, Robbins smacked his bases-clearing blast to right against Pedro Araujo to put the Dash up 9-4. Telvin Nash capped the frame with a sacrifice fly to make it 10-4.
The grand slam was the first by a Dash player since Trey Michalczewski accomplished the feat against Frederick at NYMEO Field on May 5, 2015. The last time it happened at home was when Joey DeMichele hit one in walk-off fashion on August 24, 2013.
The Dash cranked out 14 hits in Tuesday’s win, marking its fourth double-digit hit performance in five games. All but one starter registered a base hit, and every hitter reached base at least once. Winston-Salem has also put up double-digit run totals in three out of its last five games.
With the win, the Dash go to 4-0-3 in home series since the beginning of June after starting its home slate with six series losses in seven tries.
Winston-Salem went up first on consecutive two-out hits against Myrtle Beach starter Jeremy Null. With the bases loaded and two outs, Nash crushed a two-run double to center that gave Winston-Salem a 2-0 lead. Marcus Davis followed with a two-run single down the left field line to put the Dash up four.
Down 4-0 in the third, the Pelicans (13-13, 49-47) broke through against Dash starter Thad Lowry. Rashad Crawford and David Bote started the frame with back-to-back singles, and Yasiel Balaguert followed with RBI single to make it a 4-1 contest. After Myrtle Beach added its second run on an error by Montilla, Jeffrey Baez made it a one-run contest on a sacrifice fly.
An inning later, Balaguert tied the game at four with an RBI single in the fourth. Fortunately for the Dash, they put the game out of reach with their offensive explosion in the next half inning. Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem traded blows with one run each in the fifth and two runs in the eighth, with the Dash’s lead never falling below four runs in the late innings.
Jacob Morris (1-3) picked up the win in relief, tossing two innings and allowing one run. Meanwhile, James Pugliese (2-4) was handed the loss for Myrtle Beach, yielding two runs in the aforementioned fourth frame.
A couple of UNC products made contributions to the Dash on Tuesday. Outfielder Landon Lassiter, in his first High-A start, went 1-for-5 with a double and a career-high three runs scored. Taylore Cherry, who pitched three years for the Tar Heels, made his Winston-Salem debut on Tuesday and allowed two earned runs in two innings of work.
After a league-wide day off Wednesday, the Dash hit the road for a five-game, four-day set against the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium. On Thursday, Winston-Salem is scheduled to send right-hander Spencer Adams (8-7, 4.01 ERA) to the bump against Potomac lefty Matthew Crownover (0-4, 5.40 ERA). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m.
The Dash return home for a seven-game homestand from July 25-31 against the Frederick Keys and the Lynchburg Hillcats. The seven-day stretch includes an All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night on Tuesday, July 26, Military Appreciation Night onSaturday, July 30 and much more. For tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
