Five-run sixth propels Winston to win over Birds

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 11, 2018) - A five-run bottom of the sixth inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Blake Rutherford, lifted the Dash to a 10-7, series-opening win over Myrtle Beach on Monday at BB&T Ballpark.
With the game tied at four in the sixth, Mitch Roman walked with one out signaling the end of the night for Pelicans starter Bryan Hudson (4-5). The Dash pounced on reliever Ryan Kellogg, striking for six consecutive hits against the southpaw.

After three consecutive singles from Nate Nolan, Yeyson Yrizarri and Joel Booker gave Winston-Salem a 5-4 lead, Rutherford came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. He drove Kellogg's 1-2 pitch into deep right-center field to clear the bases, collecting three RBIs to up his team-leading mark to 40. Rutherford attempted an inside-the-park grand slam, but he was thrown out at the plate. 
Luis Basabe continued the barrage, following Rutherford's triple with a single. Then, Micker Adolfo blasted his team-leading 14th double of the year to plate Basabe and give the Dash a 9-4 lead. 
Thanks to the five-run sixth inning, Jimmy Lambert (4-6) emerged with the win. The right-hander fired off his fifth quality start of the season, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in six innings, striking out five and walking three. 
Myrtle Beach (33-30) jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. After Andruw Monasterio singled to begin the game, Jhonny Pereda doubled to give the Pelicans a 1-0 lead. 
But, Winston-Salem (37-27) responded in the bottom of the second inning. After Gavin Sheets drew a one-out walk from Hudson, Ti'Quan Forbes slashed a double down the right-field line to put runners on second and third. Then, Roman lofted a fly ball to centerfield that resulted in a sacrifice fly, tying the game at one. Nolan then came through with an RBI infield single to put the Dash ahead 2-1. Nolan finished the night 3-for-4 with two RBIs. 
The Dash added to their lead in the fourth, when the offense collected three straight singles to bring home a run. First, Forbes lined one up the middle. Next, Roman bounced one through the right side to put runners at the corners. Finally, Nolan notched his second RBI of the game when he sliced a single up the middle. 
Lambert returned to the mound in the fifth inning having not allowed a hit since the first frame, but he quickly found himself in trouble. After Austin Upshaw led off with a single and moved to second on a bunt single from Yeiler Peguero, the Pelicans loaded the bases when Zach Davis was hit by a pitch. Then, Monasterio hit a chopper back up the middle that brought home a pair of runs to tied the game at three. 
Winston-Salem bounced right back to retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on the corners and nobody out, Adolfo bounced into a 4-6-3 double play that brought home Rutherford from third base. 
The seesaw contest continued in the next inning. After Lambert struck out Wladimir Galindo and induced a groundout from Austin Upshaw, he faced Connor Myers with the bases empty and two outs. Myers shot Lambert's first pitch into the right-center field gap for a triple and came into score when Yrizarri's relay throw to third flew wide, resulting in an error and tying the score at four. 
Then, Winston-Salem exploded for its five-run sixth inning, breaking the game open. The Dash tacked on another run in the seventh when Roman collected his second RBI of the night that brought home Forbes after he led off the inning with a triple. 
Myrtle Beach made things interesting in the ninth, plating three runs against Blake Hickman. The Pelicans collected four consecutive hits, including a two-run double from Pereda to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle. However, Hickman induced a groundout from Galindo to secure the win.
With the win, the Dash extended their win streak to four games, while snapping the Pelicans' nine-game winning streak. The victory also extends Winston-Salem's lead in the Southern Division standings to 2.0 games over the Buies Creek Astros with six games left to play in the first half of the season. Offensively, the Dash pounded out 16 hits, tied for the second-most in a game this season. Of the 16 hits, seven were for extra bases, including three triples and four doubles. The 10-run output marks the fourth time this season the Dash have scored 10 or more runs. 
The first-half #DashToThePostseason continues tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., when the Dash host the Pelicans for the second game of their three-game series. Left-hander Bernardo Flores (4-4, 2.80 ERA) goes for the Dash against right-hander Alex Lange (4-2, 2.89 ERA) Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App. 
Tuesday's game against the Pelicans is a Free Food Tuesday, with free hot dogs and hamburgers available through the seventh inning. During the rest of the homestand, fans can enjoy a Pups in the Park outing on Wednesday, a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, Hometown Heroes USA Night and postgame fireworks on Friday, a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night on Saturday and a Father's Day Sunday. Meanwhile, kids can run the bases after each weekend contest, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. For tickets and more information, call the Dash (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.