Dash Hand Red Sox Heartbreaking 10-9 Defeat

Winston-Salem, NC (August 14, 2012) - Michael Earley's RBI single scored Cyle Hankerd from second with two outs in the ninth, capping remarkable rally that saw Winston overcome a six-run deficit to walk off 10-9 winners over Salem in the bottom of the ninth on Tuesday night at BB&T Ballpark. The Dash scored five times in the last of the ninth to complete the ridiculous comeback, answering Salem's three-spot in the top of the ninth that, shockingly, was not enough of an insurance policy after Salem led 6-5 through eight. In fact, Salem was up 6-0 through six, and the Dash had just one hit to that point as Matt Barnes tossed five dominant innings. But Winston scored three in the seventh, two in the eighth, and five more in the ninth, crushing Salem's bullpen and spirit, one in the same.

Michael Almanzar belted two home runs, Drew Hedman went deep too, and the Sox built a 6-0 lead against Dash starter Steve McCray and reliever J.R. Ballinger. With Barnes dealing, the Sox appeared to be in good shape in their quest to snap a five-game losing streak. When Barnes departed after the fifth, Michael Gleason emerged and tossed a perfect sixth. He also retired the Dash's leadoff man in the seventh, but things began to unravel from there.

Five straight men reached for Winston with one out in the seventh, chasing Gleason from the game with two runs in and the bases loaded. Pete Ruiz entered and another run scored on a passed ball, but two of the inherited runners were stranded and it was 6-3 after seven.

In the eighth, the first three batters reached against Ruiz and two of them scored, bringing the Dash within one at 6-5. Brandon Short stood at second base representing the tying run, but Ruiz struck out Hankerd and Kevan Smith to preserve the lead for the moment.

In the top of the ninth, the Red Sox seemingly put the game away by batting around and scoring three times. However, the Sox left the bases loaded, and it turned out the four-run cushion was too small.

Juan Silverio homered off Will Latimer to start the bottom of the ninth, cutting the game to 9-6. Daniel Wagner singled, Keenyn Walker walked, and after a pop-up, Short drilled a two-run double to bring the Dash within a run again at 9-8. Dan Black lined out to left for the second out, but Hankerd doubled off the fence in center to tie the game, and Early laced a single into right-center to ignite the celebration. Hankerd easily scored from second as Shannon Wilkerson's throw sailed wide of the plate, and the Dash led for the first time when the game was over.

Barnes was denied a win despite allowing just one hit over five innings, while Latimer suffered the loss, surrendering all five runs in the ninth. Jon Bachanov, who was Winston's fifth pitcher and tossed just one-third of an inning, earned the victory for the Dash.

The crushing loss was Salem's sixth straight setback, four of which have come by just one run. Salem will look to avoid a winless road trip on Wednesday night in the series finale against Winston. First pitch is set for 7:00, and Yeiper Castillo will take the mound against Scott Snodgress.