Five-run seventh propels Pelicans past Dash

Dash fall eight games behind Myrtle Beach in playoff chase

August 15, 2016

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Aug. 15, 2016) - Thanks to a seventh-inning rally, Myrtle Beach pushed its lead on Winston-Salem to eight games in the race for the Southern Division's final playoff spot with a 5-1 win in Monday's series opener at TicketReturn.Com Field.

The Dash (24-27, 52-69) enjoyed a 1-0 lead through six innings thanks to a Mason Robbins RBI single in the third and six dynamite innings from starter Thad Lowry (8-8). In those first six frames, Lowry scattered three hits and struck out four over just 64 pitches.

However, Bryant Flete and Ian Rice led off the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back singles, setting up a sacrifice situation for Jeffrey Baez. Lowry worked the count to 1-2 before Baez bunted on the left side near the mound. Backpedaling, Lowry unleashed an errant throw that allowed both Flete and Rice to score and Baez to reach third, giving Myrtle Beach (32-19, 68-53) a 2-1 edge.

Five batters later, David Bote added some insurance with a two-run flair double down the right field side against Yelmison Peralta. A third run scored on the play due to a throwing error.

In all, Winston-Salem committed four errors after making just two in its previous 11 games dating back to August 3. Two of Myrtle Beach's seventh-inning runs were unearned.

This seventh-inning surge made Myrtle Beach starter Jake Stinnett (9-4) a winner. He spun seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits before southpaw Tommy Thorpe worked around one runner in each of the final two innings, thus clinching the Pelicans' 19th win in their last 24 games dating back to July 22.

Robbins provided three of Winston-Salem's six hits for his team-leading 42nd multi-hit game. His overall average is up to .326, which would be the highest qualified average in the Carolina League since Eric Hosmer in 2010 (.354).

Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach reconvene on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. from the Grand Strand. The Dash send flamethrower Robinson Leyer (1-3, 4.44 ERA) to the bump against fellow right-hander Trevor Clifton (6-7, 2.96 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.

#YourHomeTeam has just six home games remaining. The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark this Friday, August 19, for the first of three with the Salem Red Sox. The series opener includes a postgame fireworks show, presented by Image 360. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.