WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem's Luis González provided what would prove to be the game-winning hit in the last of the fifth as the Dash defeated the Mudcats 3-1 in a rain shortened game at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem on Tuesday night.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem's Luis González provided what would prove to be the game-winning hit in the last of the fifth as the Dash defeated the Mudcats 3-1 in a rain shortened game at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem on Tuesday night.
The game winning hit landed just beyond the diving reach of leftfielder Robert Henry and brought in two runs as the Dash (23-15, 64-44) broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth and final frame while picking up a rain shortened, series opening victory versus the Mudcats (19, 18, 53-54). Gonzalez's hit came moments before the umpires stopped play to have the tarp pulled out on to the field.
Carolina's starter Victor Diaz allowed Gonzalez's double in the fifth and took the loss despite giving up just three runs on six hits over four and 1/3 innings. Diaz started the game deciding fifth by walking Zach Remillard before then seeing Yrizzari reach on a bunt single. Gonazlez then followed with hits two-run double to left in front of the diving Henry.
Diaz (5-7, 4.80) originally had a 1-0 lead, but lost it in the fourth when he gave up a run and two hits. The lone Dash run in fourth crossed as Remillard started the frame with a walk before later scoring on a fielder's choice hit into by Mitch Roman. Diaz also walked one and struck out one in his start for Carolina.
Mario Feliciano drove in the first run of the game for Carolina as his RBI double to left-center scored Henry to give the Mudcats an early 1-0 lead in the third. Feliciano also doubled in the first inning and was 2-for-2 with two doubles and a RBI.
Kyle Kubat started for the Dash and earned the win while allowing just the one run scoring hit to Feliciano. Kubat (5-1, 2.27) also gave up a leadoff double to Henry in the Carolina third and later allowed him in on Feliciano's second double of the game. In all, Kubat struck out three and allowed just the one run on five hits over five innings pitched.
The rain shortened loss ran Carolina's current losing streak to four straight games. It also dropped them to 3.5 games back of first in the Carolina League Southern Division second half standings.
The series will continue with game two set for a 7:00 p.m. start time in Winston-Salem on Wednesday night. Carolina will send RHP Conor Harber (4-5, 4.18) to the mound for the start in the second game of the series. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com.
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