Dash earn walk-off win over Buies Creek on Friday

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 13, 2018) - The Dash came from behind to earn a 7-6, walk-off win in 10 innings over Buies Creek on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. 
The victory was set up by a three-run bottom of the ninth inning. Trailing 6-3, Winston-Salem (15-7, 56-36) loaded the bases with nobody out on a single from Blake Rutherford, a double by Mitch Roman and a walk from Gavin Sheets against right-hander Carlos Sanabria. Back-to-back sacrifice flies from Yermin Mercedes and Ti'Quan Forbes cut the deficit to one. 

Next, with the tying run at first, Yeyson Yrizarri lined a single into left field to put runners at the corners with two outs. Then, on a 1-1 pitch from Sanabria, Zach Remillard drove a single into left to bring home Sheets from third to tie the game at six. 
On the first pitch of the bottom of the 10th inning, Laz Rivera laid down a sacrifice bunt back to the mound. But, the throw from Jesus Balaguer (3-4) sailed over Osvaldo Duarte's head at first base, allowing Luis González  - the placed runner at second base - to score the winning run. The victory marked the Dash's fifth walk-off win of the year.
Tyler Johnson (2-0) dominated in relief, facing the minimum in his three innings of work and striking out a career-high six batters en route to his second win as a member of the Dash. 
Buies Creek (15-8, 52-40) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After J.J. Matijevic doubled with one out against Luis Martinez, he came around to score on a single from Ronnie Dawson. 
But, the Dash struck right back in the bottom of the first inning against Cristian Javier. First, Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk, and, after he moved to second on a fielder's choice, Rutherford guided a single into left field to bring home Gonzalez and tie the game.
Then, Roman ripped a two-run homer to put the Dash in front 3-1. Roman finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run, tying a career-high with three extra-base hits in a single game.
However, Winston-Salem's lead was short-lived. In the top of the second, with runners on second and third and two outs, Matijevic lofted a three-run home run over the fence in the left-field corner to put Buies Creek in front 4-3. The Astros extended their lead in the fifth when Ronnie Dawson led off the frame with a solo homer to right. 
Meanwhile, after allowing the first-inning home run to Roman, Javier retired 20 of the final 22 batters he faced - including 17 straight. He struck out eight and walked one across his seven innings. 
Buies Creek added on a run in the top of the seventh. Matijevic led off the inning and hit a high fly ball to centerfield that Gonzalez lost in the lights, resulting in a double. Osvaldo Duarte promptly drove in Matijevic with a single down the right-field line to put the Astros up 6-3. 
The Dash continue their series with the Buies Creek Astros on Saturday at 6 p.m., when right-hander Blake Hickman (2-2, 7.02 ERA) squares off with right-hander Jose Hernandez (first start). Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App. Fans in the Chicago-area can also watch live on NBC Sports Chicago. 
Promotions include a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, and kids can run the bases after the game on Saturday and Sunday, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. Additionally, the Dash will celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday by offering $3 ice cream cones. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.