Dash offense stifled in 10-3 loss to Red Sox

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 20, 2018) - Joel Booker notched three hits and reached base four times, but the Dash fell to the Salem Red Sox 10-3 on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. 
Winston-Salem's (9-7) offense, which entered the night leading the league in hits, average and home runs, was held hitless until the fifth frame, when Booker bounced a single back up the middle. His hit ended the night for Red Sox right-hander Bryan Mata, who struck out five and walked four in 4.1 innings of work. Booker finished the night 3-for-4 with a triple.

While the Dash struggled offensively, catcher Nate Nolan shined behind the plate. The Winston-Salem backstop threw out three would-be basestealers in the first four innings.
However, the Red Sox (9-7) started the scoring in the third, plating two runs on three hits. Two batters after Kyri Washington led off the frame with a double, Santiago Espinal lofted a double into left-center field to bring Washington home. Espinal later scored on an RBI single from Brett Netzer. 
The Dash promptly cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third without the help of a hit. After Luis Basabe and Blake Rutherfordwalked, Micker Adolfo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The hit-by-pitch extends Adolfo's streak of reaching base to 16 games to begin the season. With the bases loaded, Gavin Sheets rolled a grounder up the first-base line, bringing in Basabe on a fielder's choice.  
Salem added to its lead in the fourth. Jerry Downs, who finished 3-for-5, led off the frame with a solo home run to right field. Then, after back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt, Washington stroked a two-run single.
That signaled the end of the night for Dash starter Jimmy Lambert (1-2). The right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking two. 
Right-hander Blake Hickman entered the game in relief of Lambert and allowed a run on two hits in his 2.2 innings of work. In total, Dash arms tied a season-high by walking nine batters. 
Salem extended its lead in the eighth. After right-hander Danny Dopico issued three walks to load the bases, Espinal brought in two with a single and Bobby Dalbec later followed with a double to plate two more, widening the lead to nine. 
Right-hander Daniel Gonzalez (2-0) collected the win for Salem, allowing two runs (one earned) in 4.1 innings of work, striking out six and walking none. 
The Dash did not go quietly in the ninth. With two outs, Booker socked a stand-up triple, and Basabe followed with a three-bagger of his own down the right-field line. Then, Rutherford hit a grounder to shortstop that Espinal bobbled, allowing Basabe to cross the plate. But, after a pitching change, Adolfo struck out against right-hander Algenis Martinez to end the game.  
Winston-Salem's series with Salem continues Saturday at BB&T Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Right-hander Dane Dunning(1-1, 2.60 ERA) toes the rubber for the Dash, and right-hander Roniel Raudes (1-1, 4.97 ERA) goes for the Red Sox. Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App. 
Following the games on Saturday and Sunday, kids can run the bases, presnted by New Balance Winston-Salem. Sunday is also a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, where children age 12 and under will receive a free bag of popcorn. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.