Nash, Stephens shine in half-opening victory

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 23, 2016) - Behind a 15-hit performance from the offense and another stellar performance by Dash starter Jordan Stephens, Winston-Salem began its second half run with a 9-2 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday night.

Every starter in the Dash lineup reached base safely, and Winston-Salem (1-0, 29-42) scored in six out of its eight offensive innings. In his first game with the Dash, infielder Telvin Nash clubbed a two-run homer and finished with three RBIs. Prior to signing with the White Sox, Nash had been playing with the independent York Revolution this season. Also, Marcus Davis tied a career-high in hits, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI.

For the second straight start, Stephens (3-7) blanked the Blue Rocks (0-1, 27-43). The right-hander tossed 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing just six hits and one walk while striking out six batters. The right-hander is now 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three starts against Wilmington. In their last seven games, the Dash rotation has posted a 0.39 ERA (two earned runs in 46.0 innings).

After a scoreless first inning, the Dash went to work against Blue Rocks starter Zach Lovvorn (0-8). Nick Basto led off the second with a single, and Davis followed with a double to put runners on second and third with nobody out. In his first at-bat with the Dash, Nash delivered an RBI groundout to put Winston-Salem up 1-0.

The Dash added another score in the fourth. With a runner on second and one out, Toby Thomas bounced an RBI double down the left field line to put Winston-Salem up two.

Winston-Salem chased Lovvorn from the game in the next inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Basto blooped an RBI single to make it 3-0. Luis Rico replaced Lovvorn and immediately yielded a Davis RBI single to put the Dash up 4-0. Nash followed with his aforementioned homer, pushing Winston-Salem's lead to six.

The Dash added their final tally off Rico in the sixth on an RBI double by Mason Robbins. Brennan Henry relieved Rico in the seventh but did not fair much better. Cleuluis Rondon smacked an RBI single to give the Dash an 8-0 edge.

After Wilmington broke through with two in the eighth against Danny Dopico, the Dash added their final tally on an RBI double by Nick Basto to make it 9-2.

Winston-Salem righty Colin Kleven tossed a scoreless ninth to seal the victory. All-Star Hunter Jones extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 1-for-3 performance. With the win, Winston improves to 4-1 against the Blue Rocks at BB&T Ballpark this season and 5-3 against Wilmington overall.

The Dash continue their four-game set against the Blue Rocks at BB&T Ballpark on Friday at 7 p.m. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Spencer Adams (7-4, 3.59 ERA) to the rubber against Wilmington righty Corey Ray (2-2, 3.81 ERA). The Pregame Dash begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can tune in online at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv, or the TuneIn App.

The current homestand includes Friday's visit from former Wake Forest star Chris Paul and Saturday's Energize the Ballpark Night, presented by Eanes Heating and Air, which features a postgame concert from former American Idol star Danny Gokey. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com for tickets.