Gilmore Clutch in Dash Comeback Win
The game was nearly a mirror image of the contest the night before, when Kinston (26-23) turned a 5-0 deficit into an 8-5 win. The Indians grabbed an early lead against Dash starter Charlie Leesman, who loaded the bases with one out in the first inning. Kyle Bellows then hit a chopper to the right side. Kyle Shelton threw to second for the force out, but Eduardo Escobar's throw skipped past Seth Loman, allowing two runs to score for the K-Tribe.
Kinston plated another in the second on an RBI groundout by Jordan Henry to go ahead 3-0.
Winston-Salem (33-16) methodically got back into the game, scoring single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Indians starter Marty Popham walked Escobar with the bases loaded in the fifth to force home the Dash's first run.
Joe McEwing's team got a gift run in the sixth against new pitcher Chris Jones. With the bases loaded and one out, Shelton hit grounder back to the pitcher. Instead of throwing home to get the lead runner, Jones inexplicably threw to second base. He got a force out there, but Ozzie Lewis scored from third to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Dash tied the game in the seventh inning when Gilmore brought home Escobar from third on a groundout to second base.
The game remained even at three until the top of the ninth inning. Justin Greene led off with a walk against Brian Grening (2-1). Greene stole second and was sacrificed to third base. Gilmore came through with a single to right past a drawn-in infield to score Greene and give Winston-Salem a 4-3 lead. Loman followed with a hard single to put men on the corners. Two batters later, Luis Sierra hit an RBI single to right, scoring Gilmore and giving the Dash an insurance run.
The Indians came completely unglued after Sierra's hit. Jason Kipnis muffed a sharp grounder off the bat of Logan Johnson, allowing Loman to score. Sierra then came home on a wild pitch for the Dash's fourth run of the inning. After trailing 3-0 in the second inning, Winston had taken a 7-3 lead.
Kyle Bellamy (1-0) entered the game in the eighth inning and pitched a scoreless ninth for his first win of the season.
Grening suffered the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk in 1.1 innings.
The win snapped the Dash's season-high three-game losing streak. The team stayed three games ahead of Salem for first place in the Southern Division.
The two teams wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon as RHP Terry Doyle (1-1, 3.00) goes for his second straight win against RHP Joe Gardner (2-0, 1.66). First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the webcast pre-game show will begin at 1:45 on www.wsdash.com.
The Dash returns to BB&T Ballpark on June 3 for a four-game series against the Kinston Indians.
Fans may purchase tickets for every Dash game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visiting www.wsdash.com.