Dash Shuts Down Red Sox in Series Opener

By Staff

 

J.B. Wendelken tossed a career-high seven shutout innings, leading Winston-Salem to a 3-1 victory over the Salem Red Sox at LewisGale Field Tuesday night.

Wendelken (4-4) surrendered only three hits, one walk and two hit batters in his seven innings against Salem (23-20), striking out four against his former organization. The 21-year-old spent the first year-and-a-half of his professional career with Boston, reaching Low-A Greenville before the White Sox acquired Wendelken in a trade last July.

The Dash (16-26) opened the scoring in the top of the second inning against Salem starter Cody Kukuk (1-2). Grant Buckner reached on a one-out error before advancing to third on a Keon Barnum double. Buckner scored on Joey DeMichele’s base-hit up the middle, giving Winston-Salem a 1-0 lead.

The advantage grew for the Dash in the top of the fourth. Barnum walked and then stole second base with two outs. DeMichele’s single to right brought Barnum home for his second RBI of the game, making the score 2-0 in favor of Winston-Salem.

The Dash struck again in the eighth inning. Jacob May blooped a single to left field, advanced to second on a balk by reliever Kyle Stroup and promptly stole third base. May scored on a Jason Coats sacrifice fly to center field, giving Winston-Salem a 3-0 cushion on Coats’ 13th RBI of the season.

Salem (23-20) provided a scare in the bottom of the ninth inning. With Dash reliever Brad Goldberg attempting to earn his first save of the season, Mario Martinez reached on an infield hit. After a Goldberg wild pitch, Carson Blair doubled off the top of the left field fence, plating Martinez to cut Winston-Salem’s lead to 3-1. But reliever Brandon Hardin came on to retire the last two batters he faced for his second save of the year.

The Dash have won two straight games for the third time this season, improving to 5-6 against the Salem Red Sox in 2014. That includes a 4-3 mark at LewisGale Field.

Winston-Salem will attempt to record a three-game winning streak for the first time this year as they play a seven-inning doubleheader against Salem on Wednesday. The Dash are scheduled to pitch right-hander Tony Bucciferro (3-4, 4.37 ERA) in the opening game of the twin bill, while the Red Sox counter with righty Luis Diaz (4-3, 3.57 ERA).

In the second game, Winston-Salem has yet to announce a starter, and Salem will send right-hander Justin Haley (3-0, 1.82 ERA) to the mound.

First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. from the Roanoke Valley. You can follow both games HERE, beginning with the Pregame Dash at 4:50.