Dash blank Hillcats in Dunning's High-A debut

The 22-year-old hurled five shutout frames in a 1-0 victory

Zack Collins threw out three runners on the basepaths on Tuesday. (Jody Stewart/Winston-Salem Dash)

May 2, 2017

LYNCHBURG, Va. (May 2, 2017) - Winston-Salem starter Dane Danning tossed five shutouts innings in his High-A debut, and his battery mate Zack Collins nabbed three runners on the bases as the Dash edged the Hillcats 1-0 in Tuesday's middle match at Lynchburg City Stadium.Dunning (1-0), who was named the

LYNCHBURG, Va. (May 2, 2017) - Winston-Salem starter Dane Danning tossed five shutouts innings in his High-A debut, and his battery mate Zack Collins nabbed three runners on the bases as the Dash edged the Hillcats 1-0 in Tuesday's middle match at Lynchburg City Stadium.
Dunning (1-0), who was named the White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out five batters in his first outing with Winston-Salem (10-16). Acquired from the Washington Nationals as part of an offseason trade for outfielder Adam Eaton, the right-hander has not allowed an earned run in his last 30.1 combined innings between Low-A Kannapolis and the Dash. His last earned run occurred in the first inning on April 8 against Lakewood when Dunning was a member of the Intimidators.

Meanwhile, Collins turned in another phenomenal game defensively. The backstop threw out a would-be base stealer in the first and fourth innings to up his season total to 12, good for second among Carolina League catchers. The former first-round pick also picked off Conor Marabell at second base on a throw to Dash shortstop Johan Cruz in the second inning.
Following Dunning's outing, the Winston-Salem bullpen didn't miss a beat. Kelvis Valerio threw two impressive innings of middle relief, and Aaron Bummer locked down his second save in as many opportunities with two scoreless frames. The Hillcats (11-12) mustered just five hits against the Dash pitching staff on Tuesday.
After being held scoreless through the first 13 innings of the series, Winston-Salem pushed across the lone run of the contest in the fifth. Cruz and Danny Mendick led off the frame with back-to-back walks against Hillcats starter Triston McKenzie (2-2). The right-hander then recorded a strikeout before Luis Basabe grounded into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners with two down. With Ronald Bueno at the plate, McKenzie skipped a low throw to first that got by Yonathan Mendoza in an attempt to pickoff Basabe, allowing Cruz to score.
In the win, Louis Silverio extended his hitting streak to nine games with a ninth-inning single. The 23-year-old is now 15-for-36 (.417) during this span.
The Dash and Hillcats wrap up their three-game series Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at Lynchburg City Stadium. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Aron McRee (0-3, 4.80 ERA) to the hill against Lynchburg righty Brock Hartson (0-0, 4.24 ERA). The finale of this three-game set will be broadcast online at wsdash.com/broadcast and via the TuneIn Radio App.
Following this extended giveaway, the Dash return home from May 9-11 for a quick three-game stretch at BB&T Ballpark against one of their division rivals, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For tickets to this series or any game, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.