Banks guides Dash to 4-2 win over Wood Ducks

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 6, 2018) - Behind eight strong innings from Tanner Banks, the Dash topped Down East 4-2 on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. With the win, Winston-Salem (11-4, 52-33) clinches a series victory in the five-game set with the Wood Ducks (6-10, 41-45). 
Down East struck in the top of the first inning when Franklin Rollin lined a solo home run off of Banks (8-2) over the left-center field fence to give the Wood Ducks a 1-0 lead.

But, Winston-Salem promptly tied the game on a solo home run from Luis González, who led off the bottom of the first inning by crushing a 3-2 pitch from Emerson Martinez (4-8) over the right-field fence. 
From there, Banks found his groove. He scattered eight hits throughout the rest of his outing, recording his 10th quality start in the process. The left-hander struck out five and issued one walk while tying a season-high with eight innings pitched. 
The Dash gave Banks the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Laz Rivera reached first on a throwing error from shortstop Anderson Tejeda, he stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error from catcher Melvin Novoa. Then, following a walk from Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo hit a slow roller to the first base side of the mound that resulted in an infield single, bringing in Rivera to give the Dash a 2-1 lead. 
Next, Ti'Quan Forbes continued his hot hitting. Entering the night batting .472 (17-for-36) over his last 10 games and batting .333 (16-for-48) against the Wood Ducks this season, he lined a single into right-center field to bring home Rutherford and extend Winston-Salem's lead to 3-1.
The Dash tacked on a run in the seventh. With one out, Zach Remillard tripled down the left-field line to put himself in scoring position for Gonzalez. Then, Gonzalez popped out in foul territory down the right-field line, just deep enough for Remillard to score on a sacrifice fly. Remillard evaded Novoa's tag at the plate to give Winston-Salem a 4-1 advantage. 
The Wood Ducks were able to draw closer in the top of the eighth inning. After Eric Jenkins led off the frame with a single, Josh Altmann hit a high fly ball into centerfield that Gonzalez lost in the lights, resulting in an RBI double to shave the Dash lead to 4-2. However, Banks then induced a 3-6-3 double play, followed by a groundout to Mitch Roman at second base to end the Wood Ducks threat.
Connor Walsh closed out the win for the Dash, firing a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn his first save of the year with the Dash.
Winston-Salem continues its five-game series with Down East on Saturday when Dash left-hander John Parke (1-1, 3.27 ERA) toes the rubber against Wood Ducks left-hander Sal Mendez (1-0, 1.42 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Saturday's game is a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night at BB&T Ballpark, where fans can receive four tickets, along with four Dash hats and four chicken sandwich vouchers for just $32. This deal must be purchased in advance by calling (336) 714-2287. Following the game, kids can run the bases, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem.
Promotions for Sunday include a Rayados Day and a Lowes Foods Family Sunday. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.