Carolina League dashes to All-Star blowout

The Carolina League snapped a three-game losing streak in its 9-1 victory over the California League in the 2012 California-Carolina League All-Star Game, presented by BB&T. Some of the best players in minor league baseball played in front of 6,912 fans at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem.

After the California League took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Carolina League scored nine unanswered runs. Following a game-tying Jackie Bradley, Jr., RBI groundout in the third, the home squad seized the lead for good with a three-run fourth.

Carolina Mudcat Jeremie Tice kicked off the fourth-inning scoring with an RBI single. Tommy La Stella immediately followed with an RBI groundout before David Freitas doubled home Tice to cap off the go-ahead frame, which came against losing pitcher Bobby Doran.

The big blast of the game came in the fifth when Carolina League Top Star Award winner Travis Shaw crushed a two-run homer out of BB&T Ballpark down the right-field line.

With two away in the sixth, Frederick infielder Ty Kelly continued the scoring with a two-out RBI double. The Carolina League concluded their offensive show with a two-run seventh inning, with Lynchburg first baseman Chris Garcia's RBI double the featured hit.

Wilmington right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon earned the victory after posting the only perfect inning by a Carolina League hurler. Marimon whiffed two in the quick frame.

The California League's only run came after Billy Hamilton led off the Midsummer Classic with a bunt single. The Bakersfield infielder, who leads minor league baseball with 80 stolen bases, swiped second and third before scoring on a George Springer groundout.

Home Run Derby winner and Winston-Salem outfielder Brady Shoemaker joined Kelly as the only All-Stars to post multi-hit games. Eight different Carolina League players had at least one knock in the contest.

The 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star will be held in San Jose, Calif. The San Jose Giants will host the event.

Fresh off a first half Southern Division championship, the Dash kick off the second half Thursday against the Potomac Nationals. The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark Sunday for the start of a seven-game homestand.