Martinez's strong outing lifts Rayados over Wood Ducks

The right-hander ties a season-high with seven innings pitched on Sunday

Luis Martinez tied a season-high with seven innings to lead the Rayados to a win over Down East. (Steven Harrison/Chicago White Sox)

July 8, 2018

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 8, 2018) - Sporting their Rayados jerseys as part of Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" initiative, Winston-Salem defeated Down East 6-2 behind a strong start from Luis Martinez on Sunday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark. Winston-Salem (12-5, 53-34) finishes the five-game series with Down East (7-11, 42-46) having won

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 8, 2018) - Sporting their Rayados jerseys as part of Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" initiative, Winston-Salem defeated Down East 6-2 behind a strong start from Luis Martinez on Sunday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark.
Winston-Salem (12-5, 53-34) finishes the five-game series with Down East (7-11, 42-46) having won four of the five contests.

The Rayados got on the board in the bottom of the first against Wood Ducks right-hander Robby Rowland (1-2). With one out, Ti'Quan Forbes and Blake Rutherford collected back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly from Mitch Roman brought home Forbes to give Winston-Salem the early lead. Then, a two-out double from Gavin Sheets brought home Rutherford to make it a 2-0 contest.
However, Down East responded with two runs in the second inning against Martinez (6-4). After Alex Kowalczyk doubled to lead off the inning and Brendon Davis singled, Franklin Rollin lined a single to drive in a run and advance Davis to third. Then, Melvin Novoa lofted a sacrifice fly to bring in Davis and tie the game.
Winston-Salem responded by retaking the lead in the bottom of the third. After Forbes and Rutherford stroked back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, Roman smacked a ground-rule double over the right-field fence to bring home two runs. Then, Yermin Mercedes singled to drive in Roman, and later scored on an RBI double from Yeyson Yrizarri to put the Rayados in front 6-2.
Roman, batting in the cleanup for the just the second time in his career, tied a career-high with three RBIs in the game.
Martinez (6-4) matched a season-high with his seven innings of work, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out four. The right-hander retired eight of the last nine batters he faced.
After Martinez exited, the Rayados bullpen worked two scoreless innings to close out the victory. Drew Hasler struck out two in a perfect eighth inning, and Mike Morrison pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Winston-Salem hits the road to begin a four-game series against the Salem Red Sox on Monday with Dash right-hander Blake Hickman (1-2, 7.57 ERA) on the mound. Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark on Friday to begin a four-game series against the Buies Creek Astros. Promotions for the homestand include a Fireworks Friday, presented by Dewey's, and a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, and kids can run the bases after the Friday, Saturday and Sunday games powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. Also on Friday, there will be a boat display brought to you by Mann Marine. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.