WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 20, 2016) – Zack Collins launched a go-ahead homer in the sixth, but Salem responded with a two-run seventh to eek out a 3-2 victory and clinch a sweep in Saturday’s doubleheader at BB&T Ballpark.
With one out and nobody on, Collins crushed a solo blast beyond the seats in right field against Salem starter Trey Ball (7-5) to put the Dash up 2-1. The White Sox first selection in this year’s draft now has four home runs at the High-A level.
However, Salem (34-21, 77-47) rallied in the seventh against Dash reliever Yelmison Peralta (0-2). Jordan Betts blasted a leadoff solo homer to tie the contest at two. Later in the frame, with a runner on second and two outs, Rafael Devers tripled into the alley in right-center to give the Red Sox their first edge of the contest.
The Dash (24-31, 52-73) put a runner on second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Jamie Callahan locked down his sixth save with a strikeout of Gerson Montilla. The Red Sox improved to a Minor League-leading 31-11 in one-run games this year.
Despite the defeat, Winston-Salem starter Zach Thompson put up one of his finest outings in the Dash purple. The former fifth-round pick tossed five scoreless frames, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out five.
Winston-Salem took its first lead of the series in the fourth against Ball. Nick Basto led off the frame with a triple to right-center, and Collins followed with an RBI groundout to put the Dash up 1-0. Ball ended up going six innings, allowing six hits and two runs.
After Thompson departed, the Red Sox tied the contest in the sixth. With Devers on third and two outs, Alex Katz uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Devers to score, knotting the game at one.
With the loss, the Dash have dropped a season-high six games in a row, a streak that has immediately followed a five-game win streak.
The Dash round out their three-game set against the Salem Red Sox on Sunday at 2 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Kelvis Valerio (3-4, 4.01 ERA) to the bump against Red Sox righty Anyelo Leclerc (2-2, 5.35 ERA). Fans can catch the game either on My 48 (WMYV-TV) in Winston-Salem or online at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv or the TuneIn App.
Winston-Salem’s series finale against Salem is a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, during which fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and sodas through the first inning and pregame autographs on the concourse. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at(336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
