Down East 2, Winston-Salem 0
W: Emerson Martinez (1-7)
L: Dane Dunning (3-4)
S: Ricardo Rodriguez (12)
KINSTON, N.C. (June 28, 2017) – Despite a strong outing from prospect right-hander Dane Dunning, Winston-Salem’s four-game win streak came to an end thanks to a 2-0 victory for the Down East Wood Ducks on Wednesday night at Grainger Stadium.
Dunning (3-4) largely befuddled the Wood Ducks (3-3, 27-48) over seven innings, during which he struck out eight and did not walk a batter. The former Florida Gator has logged three consecutive quality starts dating back to June 17. During this span, Dunning has fanned 21 and given up just four runs (two earned) in 20 innings of work.
The lone blemish for Dunning came in the third inning. With runners at second and third and two down, Yanio Perez hit a bouncing ball to third baseman Brady Conlan, who made a nice play on a tough hop. However, his throw to first was wide of the mark, allowing both men to score.
These two runs ended an incredible streak by Winston-Salem’s starting rotation. Dash starters had not given up a run over 26.0 innings, which is tied for the longest such run in the Dash era (2009-present). The other 26.0-inning scoreless streak came from June 4-7, 2016. Still, a Dash starter has not permitted an earned run over the last 30.1 frames.
One night after earning a shutout victory, Winston-Salem (5-2, 29-48) was unable to dent the scoreboard against three Down East pitchers. Starter Emerson Martinez (1-7) collected his first High-A win in his 10th try by scattering four hits over six innings. The Dash stranded the bases loaded in both the second and third innings before failing to send more than four men to the plate in the final six frames.
Behind Martinez, Grant Zawadski spun a 1-2-3 seventh for his first hold of the year. All-Star Ricardo Rodriguez finished the game for his 12th save, but Telvin Nash did end Rodriguez’s string of 45 straight batters retired, which was one shy of the Major League record. Nash was the first person to reach against Rodriguez since May 14.
Winston-Salem has a second chance to clinch a series victory in its final regular season game at Grainger Stadium on Thursday. Bernardo Flores will make his Dash debut, while Down East will send fellow southpaw Brett Martin (1-2, 3.12 ERA) to the mound. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 600 AM-WSJS, 101.3 FM, wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App, with first pitch set for 7 p.m.
The Dash’s next home game is their annual Fourth of July Extravaganza, which is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against the Wood Ducks. The festivities begin with a free pregame party from 4-6:30 p.m. on First Street. Tickets for the game start as low as $9 in advance, but seats will sell out. To guarantee your seat for the only Fourth of July Fireworks Show in Winston-Salem, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
