Hillcats push Dash's season-long skid to seven

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 12, 2014) - Winston-Salem's losing streak grew to a season-high seven games as the Dash fell 9-3 against the Lynchburg Hillcats at BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday night.

Lynchburg (27-23, 61-59) used a five-run fifth inning to blow the game open. With the score tied 1-1, David Nick started the rally with a single against Dash pitcher James Dykstra (2-2). Later in the inning, Justin Bloxom singled home Nick and Kevin Ahrens delivered a two-run double, chasing Dykstra from the contest.

With Brad Goldberg on in relief, Emerson Landoni's sacrifice fly and Levi Hyams' RBI triple gave the Hillcats a 6-1 lead. All five runs in the inning were charged to Dykstra, who has allowed 14 runs in his last two starts after logging a 2.70 ERA in his first four High-A starts.

Lynchburg extended its lead to 9-2 in the seventh. Eric Garcia tallied an RBI single and Nick came through with a two-run double against the bullpen tandem of Goldberg and Jose Bautista.

The Hillcats pounded out 18 hits in the game while extending their winning streak to four games.

Winston-Salem (24-27, 54-66) got on the board in the bottom of the third inning. With the Dash trailing 1-0, Jake Peter singled against Lynchburg starter Blair Walters (4-0). After C.J. Beatty walked, Adam Engel flew out to deep center field, moving the runners to second and third. Cleuluis Rondon's RBI groundout tied the game at 1-1.

The Dash scored again in the fifth. Michael Marjama doubled and Peter singled, placing runners at the corners with no outs. Engel's base-hit to center field chased Marjama home, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

The home team received one more run in the seventh inning. With Navery Moore pitching for the Hillcats, Peter registered his third single of the game. Winston-Salem native C.J. Beatty had his first hit in a Dash uniform, placing runners at the corners. Engel's double play groundout brought home Peter to make it 9-3.

Despite the loss, Winston-Salem remains tied with Carolina for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division second half standings. The Dash have 19 games left to play in the regular season, while the Mudcats, who were rained out at Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, still have 20 on the docket.

The Dash will try to snap their skid on Wednesday night. Left-hander and former NC State star Carlos Rodon (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will take the mound for Winston-Salem, while the Hillcats counter with righty Wes Parsons (4-5, 4.52 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates at BB&T Ballpark will receive a special, limited-edition Carlos Rodon baseball card! You can buy your tickets at wsdash.com or by calling (336) 714-2287.

If you can't make it to the game, you can follow all the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, beginning with the Pregame Dash at 6:45.