Blue Rocks claim series opener behind late surge
WILMINGTON, Del. (June 30, 2016) - Winston-Salem jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Wilmington Blue Rocks mustered seven unanswered runs for a 7-4 victory in Thursday's series opener at Frawley Stadium.
Michael Suiter gave the Dash (3-4, 31-46) an early 1-0 advantage thanks to an RBI single in the second. One frame later, a pair of dependable hitters snapped funks as part of a three-run inning.
All-Star Hunter Jones ended an 0-for-12 slump with a leadoff double. Later in the inning, Nick Basto mustered a double of his own to plate Jones and deliver his first hit in 11 at-bats. Following a walk and an error, Chris O'Dowd made it 4-0 with a two-run single to left for his sixth and seventh RBIs in the Carolina League.
However, Wilmington (3-5, 30-47) delivered three multi-run innings against prospect right-handers Spencer Adams (7-6) and Zack Burdi. In the bottom of the third, Adams issued back-to-back walks, and both men came around to score.
The Blue Rocks added three in the fifth thanks to consecutive run-scoring doubles from Samir Duenez and Wander Franco, the latter of which plated a pair. Adams, the third-best prospect in the White Sox system per multiple outlets, gave up these five runs on eight hits in five frames, which is tied for his second-shortest outing of 2016. He still leads the Carolina League and is in the top 10 in the Minor Leagues with 99.2 innings of work.
Burdi whiffed two of the first three he encountered, but former big leaguer Raul Mondesi launched a two-out, two-run homer to center field to cap the scoring. Mondesi, who was on Kansas City's World Series roster last fall, is finishing up a 50-game suspension after violating the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
One of the White Sox first-round picks earlier this month, Burdi bounced back to retire the final four Blue Rocks he faced. The flamethrower tossed 32 pitches during his two-inning effort, his longest as a professional.
All four Winston-Salem runs came against starter Colin Rodgers. The Blue Rocks bullpen was magnificent, with Kyle Kubot (3-0) facing just three more than the minimum and blanked the Dash over four innings before Brennan Henry spun a flawless ninth for his second save.
Winston-Salem and Wilmington continue this four-game set on Friday at 7:05 p.m. from the First State. Southpaw Tanner Banks (2-0, 2.79 ERA) eyes his third win in four High-A starts, while the Blue Rocks counter with right-hander Josh Staumont (2-8, 4.87 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Monday for a Fourth of July extravaganza. The Dash and the City of Winston-Salem are teaming up for an afternoon and evening of fun that begins at 4 p.m. and continues through the extended Independence Day Fireworks show after the Dash's 7 p.m. game. For tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.