Dash beat Blue Rocks 4-2 to win eighth straight game

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 15, 2018) -  The Dash pitching staff allowed just two hits after the first inning on Friday, and the offense plated a run in each of the middle three frames as Winston-Salem secured a 4-2 win over Wilmington in front of 6,089 fans at BB&T Ballpark. The victory runs the Winston-Salem winning streak to a season-high eight games, which is the longest streak for the franchise since the club ripped off 10 straight victories in August of 2013.
Wilmington (29-39) struck for two runs in the top of the first against Dash right-hander Luis Martinez. After Nick Heath led off with a double, D.J. Burt singled to give the Blue Rocks a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Xavier Fernandez doubled to bring around Burt.

Blue Rocks right-hander Gerson Garabito was sharp through his first three frames, allowing just one hit and striking out four. But, Winston-Salem (41-27) plated a run in the bottom of the fourth. Nate Nolan blistered a triple to deep left field and scored on a groundout from Zach Remillard. 
Martinez settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning. The right-hander retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced, allowing just one hit throughout the rest of his five innings of work. 
The Dash tied the ballgame in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Luis Basabe walked with one out, Joel Booker laid down a bunt single and drew an errant throw from Burt, allowing Basabe and Booker to advance to third and second, respectively. On the very next pitch, Mitch Roman stroked a single into left field to plate Basabe to knot the game at two. The Dash had a chance for more with the bases loaded and one out, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat. 
Winston-Salem took the lead in the sixth against Blue Rocks reliever Julio Pinto (0-2). After Micker Adolfo reached first base on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a balk, he scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double from Blake Rutherford. Then, after back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Roman punched a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Rutherford, giving the Dash a 4-2 lead. 
Working with the lead, the Dash bullpen went to work. Joe Mockbee (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings before handing the ball off to Drew Hasler, who needed just eight pitches to strike out two in a perfect eighth inning. Mike Morrison fired a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his third save of the year and lock down Winston-Salem's eighth consecutive victory. Collectively, the Dash bullpen retired nine straight batters to end the game.
The Dash's series against the Blue Rocks continues Saturday when the Dash send right-hander Jimmy Lambert (4-6, 4.55 ERA) to the mound against Blue Rocks right-hander Arnoldo Hernandez (6-4, 3.92 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App. Fans can also watch in the Chicago area on NBC Sports Chicago. 
The rest of the homestand includes 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.