Game #95 Preview — Dash vs. Myrtle Beach
Game #95 — Home Game #50
Winston-Salem Dash (11–13, 39–55) vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (13–12, 49–46)
Tuesday, July 19–12:00 p.m.
BB&T Ballpark (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
GAME BACKGROUND:
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans plated six in both the second and third innings to cruise past Winston-Salem 15–2 in Monday night’s contest at BB&T Ballpark. The Dash go for the series split on Tuesday afternoon against Myrtle Beach.
STARTING LINEUP:
Toby Thomas has the second-highest second half average in all of High-A (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
Landon Lassiter — CF
Gerson Montilla — 3B
Mason Robbins — RF
Nick Basto — LF
Zack Collins — C
Telvin Nash — 1B
Marcus Davis — DH
Toby Thomas — 2B
Cleuluis Rondon — SS
Thad Lowry — RHP
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DASH DOTS:
- Winston-Salem permitted season-highs in both runs (15) and hits (18). The club fell one run shy of the worst single-game showing in the Dash era (2009-present). The Dash have surrendered 16 runs on two occasions, with the most recent coming on August 27, 2014, at Myrtle Beach. The Pelicans also posted the most recent hits total that eclipsed the 18 they posted on the Dash on Monday. Winston gave up 20 hits to the Birds in a nine-run loss on July 9, 2014.
- Despite Monday’s loss, two red-hot Winston-Salem hitters continued their recent tear. Mason Robbins delivered his team-leading 31st multi-hit game (2-for-4), marking his eighth in 17 contests this month. During July, the former Mr. Baseball in Mississippi boasts a .365 average, which is sixth-best in the Carolina League. Toby Thomas also went 2-for-4, pushing his second-half average to .420. During this stretch, which dates back to June 23, Thomas is second in High-A and ninth in the Minor Leagues in average.
- On the flip side, catcher Brett Austin’s season-long eight-game hitting streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 effort Monday. Austin was 14-for-30 (.467) with 10 RBIs and seven extra-base hits during this strong run. Still, the former NC State star is hitting .378 this month after posting a .203 average in May and a .125 mark in June.
- Winston-Salem’s starting rotation contains the top two workhorses in the Carolina League. Tuesday starter Thad Lowry is second on the circuit in innings pitched (102.1), 5.1 shy of teammate Spencer Adams (107.2), who has the edge despite a stint on the disabled list from July 7–14. Lowry has worked at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts, though he has surrendered 14 runs in his last three outings spanning 16.2 innings. Before that, Lowry gave up exactly one earned run in each of his previous five starts (June 9–26).
- Outfielder Landon Lassiter, a midseason South Atlantic League All-Star, joined the Dash from Low-A Kannapolis Sunday and made his High-A debut as a defensive replacement Monday. He popped out in his lone at-bat in the contest. Lassiter is an alumnus of North Davidson High School and a native of High Point who played three years at the University of North Carolina. In 77 games with the Intimidators, Lassiter posted a .283 average with two homers and 24 RBIs. He took the place of CL All-Star Hunter Jones, who was promoted to Double-A.
- Following Tuesday’s finale, the Dash will enjoy an off day Wednesday before squaring off with Potomac five times over four days, including a doubleheader Saturday. These meetings mark the final duels between the two clubs this year. Potomac owns a slight 7–6 edge thus far in 2016, which includes a 4–2 mark against the Dash at beautiful Pfitzner Stadium.
- Dash infielder Nick Basto’s .313 average is second overall and first among active Carolina League qualifiers, though he has endured a modest 2-for-17 slump.
- Thomas’ 26th double inched him into a share of third place in the CL, although he is seven away from the top spot.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Tuesday’s contest will be broadcast live on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio app. The Pregame Dash will begin at 11:45 p.m., with the first pitch set for 12:00 p.m.
-Joe
