Dash rally falls short against Blue Rocks on Thursday

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 18, 2019) - The Dash mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning on Thursday, but Winston-Salem came up just short, falling 7-6 to the Wilmington Blue Rocks at BB&T Ballpark. 
Trailing 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dash (11-17, 49-43) began to rally against Wilmington (15-12, 59-37) reliever Tad Ratliff. To lead off the frame, Steele Walker lined a single back through the middle before Craig Dedelow ripped a double down the right-field line to put runners at second and third. 

Continuing the rally, Carlos Perez bounced a single through the left side to bring home Walker and make it 7-6. However, Ratliff then induced a popout from Jameson Fisher and a double play from Tate Blackman to end the ballgame. 
The Blue Rocks got on the board quickly against Dash starter Zach Lewis (5-5) in the top of the first. With one out, Blake Perkins belted a solo home run to left field to make it 1-0 Blue Rocks. 
The Dash responded in short order in the bottom of the first against Blue Rocks starter Austin Cox (2-2). Tyler Frost led off the frame by blooping a single into center field. Following two straight outs, Craig Dedelow smacked a triple off the wall in right-center field, scoring Frost to tie up the ballgame. 
Wilmington struck against Lewis once again in the top of the second. With one out, Nick Pratto laced a double down the left-field line before Christian Perez singled to put runners at the corners. Sebastian Rivero then deposited a single into right field to score Pratto, while an errant throw by the right fielder Dedelow also allowed Perez to score and make it 3-1. 
In the bottom of the second, the Dash cut into the Blue Rocks lead. Following a Fisher flyout, Blackman crushed an opposite-field home run into the right field seats to cut the Wilmington lead to 3-2. 
However, the Blue Rocks added two more in the top of the fourth. To lead off the inning, Pratto walked before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Perez. Then, Rivero singled into right field to put runners at the corners. Kyle Kasser then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Pratto and increase the Wilmington lead to two runs. Rivero then stole second before coming home on a Michael Gigliotti single to make it 5-2.
Winston-Salem cut into the Wilmington lead once again in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, JJ Muno singled before Yeyson Yrizarri ripped a triple into right-center field to slice the deficit to two runs. 
In the top of the seventh inning, the Blue Rocks added two more runs against Dash reliever Bennett Sousa. With one out, Perkins blasted a solo homer out to right field for his second home run of the ballgame. Two batters latter, Dennicher Carrasco launched a solo shot over the high wall in center field to make it 7-3 Wilmington. 
Following Carrasco's home run, the Dash began their comeback effort in the bottom of the seventh. Following a Walker popout, Dedelow was hit by a pitch. After Perez flied out, Fisher crushed a two-run homer down the right-field line to pull Winston-Salem within two runs before the dramatic ninth inning. 
The Dash conclude their series with the Blue Rocks on Friday night. Right-hander Jorgan Cavanerio (5-0, 3.13 ERA) will take the hill for Winston-Salem against left-hander Marcelo Martinez (5-3, 4.20 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Friday's series finale with Wilmington will be a Fireworks Friday and a Hometown Heroes USA Night with discounted tickets available for veterans and first responders. Kids Run the Bases, presented by New Balance Winston-Salem, will take place following Friday's game. 
The three-game set with Down East kicks off with a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night and live music on Saturday. Sunday's contest will be a Lowes Foods Family Sunday. Kids Run the Bases, presented by New Balance Winston-Salem, will follow Saturday's game and Sunday's game. The series with Down East concludes with a Free Food Monday with free hot dogs and fries available until 8:30 p.m. and corn dogs while supplies last. For tickets and more information call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.