Late homer lifts Dash past Red Sox, 3-1

Jake Peter cranked a two-out, two-run home run over the left-center field wall in the eighth inning, lifting the Winston-Salem Dash past the Salem Red Sox 3-1 on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark.

The game was tied at one entering the home half of the eighth. Ethan Wilson worked a leadoff walk off of Chandler Shepherd and stood on second when Peter came up. Peter drilled the first pitch he saw into the power alley for his first homer of the season, giving the Dash their first lead of the evening at 3-1. It was Winston-Salem’s fourth and final hit in the game.

A pitcher’s duel developed early between Aaron Wilkerson and James Dykstra. Wilkerson worked another strong outing, allowing just three hits and one run over six innings. The only run he gave up came in the fourth when Omar Narvaez doubled in Trey Michalczewski, who had walked in the previous at-bat. Wilkerson struck out nine, equaling his career high, but did not factor in the decision.

Salem scored their only run in the fourth inning. With one out, Cole Sturgeon smacked a triple to right-center field to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Mario Martinez then shot a grounder to second that Peter dove for and knocked down, robbing Martinez of a base hit but allowing Sturgeon to score.

Dykstra was lights out for the Dash. In six innings, he worked around six hits and struck out a season-high eight batters. The Sturgeon run in the fourth was the only run he allowed.

Devon Davis relieved Dykstra and earned the win with five strikeouts over three shutout innings. Davis (1-0) allowed only one hit in his third appearance with the Dash.

Chandler Shepherd (0-1) was tagged with the loss for Salem. He tossed two innings, walked one and struck out one. The Peter home run was the only hit he allowed.

The Red Sox and Dash continue the four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Salem’s Kevin McAvoy (3-3, 3.19) will oppose Winston-Salem’s Jace Fry (1-7, 3.14). Fans can listen to the game on 1240 AM ESPN Roanoke, online at salemsox.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.