Salem 3, Winston-Salem 2
W: Travis Lakins (2-1)
L: Thad Lowry (0-2)
S: Taylor Grover (1)
SALEM, Va. (April 24, 2016) – Winston-Salem narrowly missed out on its first four-game road sweep since April of 2010 thanks to Salem’s 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at LewisGale Field.
The Dash (7-11) had scored 29 runs on 48 hits in three high-scoring victories to begin this series, but Salem’s pitching staff slowed down Winston-Salem’s red-hot bats to salvage the finale. Thus, Winston has only swept one four-game road set in the Dash era (2009-present).
Red Sox (11-7) starter Travis Lakins (2-1) overcame a rocky first to submit a dominant outing. For the fourth straight game, the Dash plated a run in the first. Hunter Jones, who has reached in nine of his last 11 plate appearances, led off with a walk. He advanced to third after back-to-back singles from Gerson Montilla and Nick Basto and scored on a fielding error. The Dash stranded both Montilla and Basto in scoring position.
A three-run bottom of the first propelled the Red Sox to their first lead of the series, one that they would never relinquish. Yoan Moncada led off with a single, reached second on a pickoff error and scored on a Deiner Lopez single to knot the score two pitches into the frame.
Andrew Benintendi later scored on a wild pitch, and Mike Meyers notched a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. This proved to be enough offense for Lakins, who did not allow a runner into scoring position after the first. He punched out a career-high nine over five and two-thirds innings en route to the victory.
The lone true chance for the Dash to surge back in front came in the eighth inning. Winston-Salem loaded the bases with one out against Taylor Grover. Chris O’Dowd pushed the Dash within one on an RBI fielder’s choice, but Michael Danner struck out after a lengthy duel to end the threat. Grover retired the side in order in the ninth to complete the save.
The Dash did pitch well in Sunday’s contest. Starter Thad Lowry (0-2) settled in after Salem’s three-run outburst to work five and two-thirds innings. He gave up just five hits and struck out two in his longest outing of 2016.
Out of the bullpen, Jacob Morris and Euclides Leyer combined to hold the Red Sox off the board in the final two and a third frames.
Following Monday’s league-wide off day, the Dash return to BB&T Ballpark for a three-game series with the Lynchburg Hillcats, who have won 10 of 11 and entered Sunday with the best record in Minor League Baseball. Jordan Stephens (0-0, 2.57 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Dash against fellow right-hander Julian Merryweather (3-0, 0.00 ERA), who has not surrendered a run in 17.2 innings this year. First pitch is set for 7 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Tuesday is the first All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night this season. Fans in attendance will enjoy free hot dogs and burgers through the seventh inning, and normal ticket prices apply. To purchase your tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
