Dash Try for Rally in Ninth, Fall Short 7-6 Against Jersey Shore

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 24, 2021) — The Winston-Salem Dash fell to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 7-6 on Saturday night in the fifth of a six-game series at Truist Stadium.

The BlueClaws pinched Dash starter Dan Metzdorf early as Jhaylin Ortiz belted a three-run homer over the Foothills Brewpen in left center to put Jersey Shore ahead early 3-0.

Winston-Salem retaliated in the second inning with a two-spot on four singles. Luis Curbelo led off with a single and was pushed to second on a base hit by Jagger Rusconi. Curbelo scored on a base knock by Gunnar Troutwine, and Rusconi followed on a hit from Lenyn Sosa to put the Dash within one at 3-2.

The Dash kept the offensive mojo working to take a 4-3 edge in the third. Alex Destino drew a walk to lead off and was driven home on a double by Luis Curbelo. Curbelo quickly scored on a bloop single to center field off the bat of Jagger Rusconi.

The lead was short-lived as Casey Martin stepped up to the fifth and walked. Reliever Trey Jeans bounced a couple of pitches away and Martin took second and third on a passed ball and wild pitch. Martin was driven in on a single by Herbert Iser to put Jersey Shore back in front 5-4.

Ortiz put another baseball over the wall in left center for a solo bomb in the fifth, marking his second home run on the night and 16th of the year.

Trey Jeans struck out the side in the sixth but returned to the mound in the seventh and allowed another run on a double by Vito Friscia to put the ‘Claws ahead 7-4.Evan Skoug answered in the eighth inning with a solo blast to right field, putting the Dash within two runs of tying.

Winston-Salem mustered a ninth-inning rally attempt which resulted in Travis Moniot crossing the plate on a single by Yoelqui Cespedes. Lenyn Sosa advanced to second on the single, after which Luis Curbelo walked to load the bases with two outs. The Dash were put away and fell to Jersey Shore by the score of 7-6.

Starter Kevin Gowdy (4-5) nabbed the win for Jersey Shore while Aidan Anderson collected his third save on the year. Jeans (2-2) took the loss for Winston-Salem.

With the series now at 3-2, the Dash look to secure a series victory in the finale on Sunday afternoon. Bailey Horn will get his second start versus Jersey Shore. The righthander Tyler McKay will face the Dash. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. ET with coverage beginning at 1:45 on https://www.milb.com/winston-salem/team/broadcast-corner.