Salem 3, Winston-Salem 2 (F/10)

W: Adam Lau (2-0)
L: Kelvis Valerio (0-2)
S: None

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 16, 2016) – Each game of the Dash’s first home series of the season has played out similarly, with Salem claiming the win by a single run. On Saturday in front of 5,255 at BB&T Ballpark, the Red Sox did so in 10 innings with a 3-2 victory.
Salem (6-4) broke a 2-2 tie in the 10th inning on a Mauricio Dubon RBI single off Winston-Salem righty Kelvis Valerio (0-2). Red Sox righty Adam Lau (2-0) would shut the door with a 1-2-3 bottom half, capping off a scoreless three-inning performance and picking up his second win in as many outings.
The Dash (3-7) once again struggled with runners on, leaving nine on base and going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Winston-Salem has now left 22 runners on in the last two games and are a combined 3-for-24 with runners in scoring position in that time.
Salem started the scoring with a two-out rally in the third inning. After Mauricio Dubon walked, Andrew Benintendi plated the game’s first run on an RBI double. Nick Longhi later reached on a infield single, driving in Benintendi to make it 2-0. Winston Salem’s starter Blair Walters, making his first appearance at BB&T Ballpark with the Dash since 2012, gave up just those two runs in five innings. He issued a career high-tying five walks but kept the Dash in the game.
Winston-Salem was held in check through five innings thanks to a strong pitching performance from Salem starter Ben Taylor. The right-hander threw five scoreless frames and allowed only three hits.
The Dash broke through in the sixth thanks to a Salem miscue. With runners on first and second and two outs, Salem left fielder Franklin Guzman dropped a routine fly ball off the bat of Marcus Davis, allowing a run to score.
In the following frame, Gerson Montilla drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the contest at two. That would be the last scoring chance for the Dash though, with no runner getting past first base for the rest of the game.
Andre Wheeler and Manny Martinez provided some solid relief for Winston-Salem, combining to post four shutout innings and only two hits.
The Dash hope to avoid a sweep on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Spencer Adams (1-0, 1.80 ERA) to the hill. Adams is rated the third-best prospect in the White Sox system by various outlets. His counterpart will be Salem lefty Dedgar Jimenez (0-0, 4.50 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 Radio App.
The Opening Weekend fun continues at BB&T Ballpark on Sunday with Pups in the Park, Kids Run the Bases, presented by Fleet Feet, and Family Sunday, presented by Lowes Foods. Tickets are still available by calling (336) 714-2287 or visiting wsdash.com.