Red Sox blanked by Dash, 4-0

The Salem Red Sox offensive woes continued as the Sox were shut out for the first time this season, 4-0 by the Winston-Salem Dash on Fridaynight at LewisGale Field. Salem’s losing streak has now reached five games.

A pitcher’s duel developed early with neither team scoring in the first six innings. Salem starter Aaron Wilkerson was nearly unhittable in his third start for the Red Sox. He surrendered just two hits over a season-high six innings and struck out seven, also a season-high. Wilkerson lowered his ERA to 0.47 in the outing.

Jake Cose was equally as impressive for Winston-Salem, lasting 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four and worked around four walks while allowing four hits. Cose (1-1) earned his first win since 2013 after missing all of 2014 with a back injury.

Winston-Salem struck first in the seventh. Mike Adams (1-2) entered to replace Wilkerson at the beginning of the inning and gave up a leadoff single to Trey Michalczewski who was immediately moved to second by a sacrifice bunt from Chris Jacobs. Omar Narvaez then drove in Michalczewski with a single for the first run of the game. After a Keenyn Walker single, Nolan Earley bounced a ball to second that Wendell Rijo, misplayed, allowing another run to score.

In the eighth, Adam Engel singled with one out and was moved to second on a Jake Peter groundout. With two down, Michalczewski chopped a ground ball to shortstop that Tzu-Wei Lin could not field cleanly. The error allowed Engel to score and pushed the lead to 3-0 Winston-Salem.

Another Salem error aided the Dash in the top of the ninth. Walker walked with one out and moved to second when Cleuluis Rondon singled. With T.J. Williams batting, Walker and Rondon attempted a double-steal. Jake Romanski snapped a throw to third that Mario Martinez mishandled. As the ball bounced into foul territory, Walker scampered home and gave the Dash a 4-0 lead.

The Red Sox fell to 20-22 with the loss, Winston-Salem improved to 18-24. Game two of the four-game series takes place on Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. It’s Superhero Night at LewisGale Field and fans are encouraged to bring a box of mac & cheese to use as a noisemaker and then donate to Feeding America.

Ty Buttrey (3-0, 2.12) is scheduled to go for the Sox against Winston-Salem’s Matt Heidenreich (6-0, 2.06). Fans unable to attend can listen to the game on 1240 AM ESPN Roanoke, online on salemsox.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.