Adolfo, Flores lead Dash to first win in 2018

ZEBULON, N.C. (April 6, 2018) - Behind a three-hit performance from Micker Adolfo and a quality start from Bernardo Flores, the Dash defeated the Carolina Mudcats 6-3 at Five County Stadium on Friday to seal their first victory of the 2018 campaign.
Winston-Salem's (1-1) win over the Mudcats (1-1) also marks the first victory of the managerial career of three-time MLB All-Star Omar Vizquel. Prior to joining the Dash, Vizquel, who played 24 seasons in the big leagues, spent the previous four years as a first base coach with the Detroit Tigers. 

Adolfo, who is rated by MLB Pipeline as the 11th-best prospect in the White Sox system, delivered the go-ahead hit in the deciding seventh inning. With Carolina leading 3-0 heading into the frame, Winston-Salem went to work on offense against reliever Daniel Brown (0-1). After loading the bases with nobody out thanks to a Zach Remillard walk, Joel Booker bunt single and throwing error from Mudcats third baseman Dallas Carroll on a sacrifice bunt from Luis Basabe, Blake Rutherford stroked an RBI fielder's choice to cut the deficit to two.
Following an RBI double from Gavin Sheets, Brown was relieved by right-hander Alec Kenilvort to face Adolfo. The 21-year-old greeted Kenilvort by smacking a two-run double over the head of left fielder Cooper Hummel to give Winston-Salem its first lead of the game. Yeyson Yrizarri capped off the frame with the Dash's first homer of the season, a two-run shot to left field. 
On the mound, Flores (1-0) threw six strong innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out four. His lone blemish was a three-run homer by Tucker Neuhaus in the third inning, but the southpaw proceeded to retire 11 of the next 14 batters he faced. Dating back to 2017, Flores is 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA in his last six outings at the High-A level. 
Dash relievers Mike Morrison and Matt Foster each threw a scoreless inning of middle relief, and José Ruiz locked down his first save with two strikeouts in the ninth. 
Winston-Salem's win on Friday snapped an 18-game losing streak against the Mudcats in Zebulon, N.C.
The Dash continue their four-game set against the Mudcats on Saturday with a 5 p.m. contest at Five County Stadium. Highly-touted righty Dylan Cease, who is rated the fifth-best prospect in Chicago's farm system, will make his High-A debut against Mudcats left-hander Nathan Kirby. Pregame coverage begins at 4:45 p.m., and fans can catch all the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Following its seven-game road trip, Winston-Salem will kick off the 2018 home slate at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, April 12, with the first of a four-game series against the Carolina Mudcats. The home opener will be a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, with select beers available for $1. For more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.