Dash beat Mudcats 3-1 in rain-shortened opener

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 31, 2018) - The Dash earned a rain-shortened, 3-1 win over Carolina in the bottom of the fifth inning on Tuesday at BB&T Ballpark.
After Kyle Kubat (5-1) retired Carolina (19-18, 53-54)  in order in the top of the fifth, Winston-Salem (23-15, 64-44) jumped in front in the home half of the frame as the drizzle became a downpour. After Zach Remillard walked to lead off the frame, Yeyson Yrizarri bunted for a hit up the first base line, and Diaz's throw flew wide of first base, allowing Remillard to reach third and Yrizarri to reach second base.

Then, Luis González hit a line drive to left field off of Victor Diaz (5-7) that got past Rob Henry, bringing home both Remillard and Yrizarri to give the Dash a 3-1 lead. On the play, Henry threw out Gonzalez at third base.
Before another pitch was thrown, home plate umpire Mark Bass signaled for the tarp to be put on the field, halting play. After a 27-minute delay, the game was called on account of the heavy rain, resulting in a series-opening win for Winston-Salem.
Prior to the unexpected finish, Carolina took an initial lead in the top of the third inning. After Henry led off with a double against Kubat, Mario Feliciano doubled with one out to bring home Henry. Following a single from Demi Orimoloye, Kubat was able to get out of a runners-on-the-corners, one-out jam with an inning-ending double play. 
As rain began to fall, the Dash tied the game in the fourth. Yermin Mercedes singled up the middle with one out and then moved to third on an infield single from Gavin Sheets. On the play, Dallas Carroll threw wide of second base in an attempt to force out Mercedes, allowing Mercedes to reach third on the throwing error. 
The next batter, Mitch Roman, hit a grounder to second base. The Mudcats atttempted to turn an inning-ending double play, but Roman was able to beat out the relay throw to first, allowing Mercedes to score from third and tie the game, setting the stage for Gonzalez's go-ahead double in the fifth.
Tuesday's game marks the first five-inning official game for the Dash this season.
The Dash continue their series with Carolina on Wednesday, when right-hander Blake Battenfield (3-2, 4.91 ERA) toes the rubber against right-hander Conor Harber (4-5, 2.18 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Wednesday's game is a Pups in the Park outing, presented by North Davidson Animal Hospital and Camel City Goods, and the series finale is a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday. Thursday contest is also a Throwback Thursday, and the Dash will wear Winston-Salem Warthogs jerseys. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.