Five-Run Second Inning Powers Dash

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (JULY 27, 2011) - Tyler Saladino tripled in the first and then homered in the five-run second, leading Winston-Salem to a 7-3 win, their third straight over Kinston on Wednesday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark. Andy Wilkins also hit his third home run in the last two games and the Dash moved to within 1.5 games of the Indians for first place in the Southern Division.

The Dash (17-15, 49-53) got started early against Indians starter Marty Popham. Saladino led off the bottom of the first win a triple, and then scored when Jared Mitchell hit a sacrifice fly to left field.

Kinston (18-13, 56-44) responded with a run in the second when Abner Abreu reached on a two-base throwing error by Saladino. Abreu later came around to score on a sac fly by Tyler Cannon.

In the bottom of the inning, the Dash offense exploded. Nick Ciolli doubled to start the frame, and came around to score on Kevin Dubler's single. Daniel Wagner followed with a single before Saladino blasted a home run into the bullpen bar to put the Dash up by three. Later in the inning, Wilkins followed suit, and homered to extend the lead to 5-1.

The five-run second was the sixth single inning during this home stand in which the Dash scored three or more runs. Winston is 5-0 in those games during the home stretch.

Though the first run for the Indians was unearned to Dash starter Jake Petricka, the K-Tribe plated an earned run in the fourth. Chase Burnette reached on a fielder's choice that retired Abreu. Cannon then doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. Doug Pickens followed with a ground out that scored Burnette.

Winston scored one more in the game when Mitchell walked in the sixth and advanced to third on a single by Wilkins. Center fielder Delvi Cid's throw to the infield after Wilkins' single got away from Casey Frawley, and Mitchell scored on the throwing error.

The K-Tribe answered back with a run in the seventh when Tyler Holt singled and scored on Jeremie Tice's single, but the Dash bullpen otherwise kept the visitors quiet and took game three of the series.

Petricka picked up his second straight win with the Dash after allowing two runs (one earned) over six innings. Popham was hit with the loss. He gave up six runs (all earned) on eight hits and struck out six in five innings.

Winston-Salem and Kinston conclude their four-game series on Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark at 7 p.m. The Dash look for their second series sweep of the season, and first of the four-game variety. LHP Joe Serafin (2-8, 5.97) is scheduled to start for the Dash against LHP T.J. House (6-8, 4.30).

The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.