Martinez leads Dash to series-opening win over Pelicans

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 6, 2018) - Behind seven strong innings from Luis Martinez and a multi-RBI game from Yermin Mercedes, the Dash toppled Myrtle Beach 6-3 on Monday night at BB&T Ballpark.
Alex Lange (6-8) retired the first nine batters he faced, but Winston-Salem (26-16, 67-45) broke through in the fourth. After Luis Gonzálezdrew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a passed ball, Laz Rivera singled through the right side to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Next, Nick Madrigal brought home Gonzalez with an RBI groundout. 

Then, Mercedes, the reigning Carolina League Player of the Week, scorched an RBI triple to deep right-center field to bring home Rivera and extend the Dash lead to 2-0. Mercedes later scored on a sacrifice fly from Zach Remillard. 
But, Myrtle Beach (16-28, 50-64) struck back against Martinez (7-6). After beginning the game with four scoreless innings, Martinez allowed his lone run in the fifth. Zach Davis led off the inning with a double, stole third base, and he scored on a groundout from Yeiler Peguero.
Martinez earned up his first win since July 8, scattering four hits and allowing one run while striking out four and walking two. 
The Dash tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Yeyson Yrizarri was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, he moved to second on a groundout. With a runner in scoring position and one out, Gonzalez ripped an RBI double down the right-field line to extend Winston-Salem's lead. Then, after moving to third on a single from Rivera, Gonzalez scored on a sacrifice fly from Madrigal to make it 5-1.
Mercedes capped the Dash's scoring with an RBI single that brought in Rivera, finishing the night 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Meanwhile, Madrigal, the fourth overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft, went 0-for-3 in his BB&T Ballpark debut, but he collected a pair of RBIs. 
Myrtle Beach did not go down quietly, scoring two runs on three singles against Danny Dopico to make it a 6-3 game. But, Tyler Johnson tossed a perfect ninth inning to shut down the Pelicans and earn his second save as a member of the Dash. 
Winston-Salem's series with Myrtle Beach continues on Tuesday at 7 p.m., when Dash left-hander Kyle Kubat (5-1, 2.27) faces off with right-hander Tyson Miller (8-7, 3.77 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. 
The second game of the series is a Free Food Tuesday, featuring free hot dogs and hamburgers through the seventh inning for the regular price of admission. Promotions for the rest of the homestand include a Pups in the Park outing (presented by North Davidson Animal Hospital & Camel City Goods) on Wednesday, a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, Cancer Survivor Night (presented by Great Clips) on Friday, a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night on Saturday and a Rayados Day on Sunday.
Plus, part-owner and NBA superstar Chris Paul will be making an appearance at BB&T Ballpark on Saturday, August 11. The first 2,000 fans on Saturday will receive a photo of the nine-time NBA All-Star. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.