Franco, four-run fourth sink Dash in twin bill opener

ZEBULON, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2016) - Behind a fourth-run fourth inning and a gem from Enderson Franco, the Carolina Mudcats knocked off Winston-Salem 5-0 in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader at Five County Stadium.

Dash starter Robinson Leyer (3-4) navigated around some potential hurdles in his first three innings. The Mudcats (21-46, 50-87) only mustered one run in the earlygoing thanks to a Travis Demeritte RBI double in the second.

The fourth inning was a different story, with all nine Carolina starters stepping to the plate in the inning. Keith Curcio coaxed a bases-loaded, one-out walk to begin the frame's scoring, and a Dante Flores fielding error pushed across another run. Jordan Edgerton followed with a two-run double off the top of the wall, thrusting the Muddies in front 5-0.

Leyer gave up five runs on eight hits in his 3.1 innings of work. Ryan Riga minimized the damage by inducing an inning-ending double play, but the damage was done.

Winston-Salem (28-39, 56-81) could not solve Franco (6-12), who spun his third professional complete game. The Dominican Republic native scattered three hits and struck out seven in his first win since June 23. Franco had posted an 0-8 record and a 5.49 earned run average in his previous 11 outings.

The lone true scoring threat from the Dash's offense came in the sixth. A hit by pitch and a Flores single with one down set up Carolina League hits leader Mason Robbins, who worked the count full before rolling into an inning-ending double play.

Riga did register 2.2 scoreless innings of work out of the bullpen, his longest scoreless outing at the High-A level. Cleuluis Rondon's season-long six-game hitting streak ended, though he only received two plate appearances out of the nine-hole. He walked in the third before grounding out to begin the sixth.

The nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader is set for approximately 6:35 p.m. from Zebulon. Right-hander Jordan Stephens (7-10, 3.57 ERA), who leads the Carolina League in strikeouts with 147, will take the mound for Winston-Salem against Carolina southpaw Ryan Lawlor (1-5, 4.99 ERA). Coverage continues on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App, and fans can tune in via the Mudcats' sream on MiLB.tv.