Five-Run Eighth Dooms Mudcats in 7-3 Loss to Dash
ZEBULON, NC - Eddie Silva went 2-for-4 with a RBI double and Trever Morrison, Devin Hairston and Wes Rogers each singled and scored a run, but the Carolina bullpen lost a one run lead in the eighth during a 7-3 series opening loss to the Winston-Salem Dash on Tuesday night
ZEBULON, NC -
Carolina (60-60, 21-30) originally led 2-0 after the third and had a 3-2 lead going into the eighth before the Dash (61-53, 23-27) rallied for five runs while taking a 7-3 lead in the game. Winston-Salem's five run eighth included a run scoring hit-by-pitch from
Petersen (L, 1-2, 3.19) took the loss despite originally stranding three inherited runners on base in the seventh while holding a 3-2 Carolina lead. He returned for the eighth and retired two straight in the frame before then walking three straight batters and leaving the game. Bender (BS, 2) followed and went on to hit Walker to force in the tying run and then allowed the run scoring hits to Frost and Vaught.
Frost, in what was his first game back off the injured list, went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the game for the Dash. Vaughn was 2-for-3 with two RBI and Walker went 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI.
The Mudcats had first built their lead in the game after scoring twice in the third before seeing the Dash answer with one in the fourth. Morrison led off the two run third with a hit-by-pitch and Rogers went on to drive him in with a single to center off starter
The Dash cut the Carolina lead to 2-1 in the fourth when Vaughn doubled and scored on a RBI double from
Rogers went 1-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored in the loss for Carolina. Lutz, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with a double, a sac fly and a RBI. Silva went 2-for-4 with a RBI double in the game for the Mudcats. Morrison and Hairston, meanwhile, both went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Carolina led 3-2 going into the eighth, but ended up seeing that slip away as they lost for just the fourth time this season (50-4) when leading after seven innings.
Robbie Hitt then entered for the seventh, but retired only two batters before leaving the game with the bases loaded. Petersen followed and struck out
Lewis ended up with a no-decision after pitching through the fifth with three runs (two earned) allowed on five hits in his start for the Dash. He also walked one and struck out three.
The series opening victory gave the Dash a one game to none lead in the current series. The loss, meanwhile, was Carolina's third straight and dropped the club to 1-3 in the current home stand.
The series and home stand will continue on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in Zebulon for Education Day at Five County Stadium. RHP
The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. The game will also stream live in full high-definition video on MiLB.tv via Minor League Baseball's subscription service.
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