Salem Red Sox top Dash in series opener

The Salem Red Sox used aggressive baserunning and a four-run rally in the sixth inning to propel themselves to a 6-5 win over the Winston-Salem Dash Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark.

The Red Sox (4-4) offense was slow to get going against Winston-Salem (3-5) starter Thad Lowry, who held the Sox at bay through the first three innings.

But in the fourth, the Sox broke through thanks to good hitting by the bottom of the lineup. Danny Mars collected a two-out single and stole second base, before scoring on a Jordan Betts single. Betts came in to score when Bryan Hudson laced a double to left field.

Salem starter Travis Lakins allowed single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, as the Dash knotted the score at two, but the offense was right there to pick him up.

The offense erupted for a four-spot off of Winston-Salem reliever Danny Dopico in the sixth inning. Mars again was in the thick of the rally, kicking it off with a bunt single and a second stolen base. David Sopilka drove him home three batters later, then Yoan Moncada had the big hit in the frame with a two-run triple.

Winston-Salem chipped away with a trio of runs in the bottom of the eighth off German Taveras to make it a one-run game, but Jake Drehoff was summoned from the bullpen to record the final out of the inning.

Lakins (1-0) dazzled with his curveball in his second start of the season, tossing 5.0 innings, allowing the two runs (one earned) on five hits, walking one and striking out four. The win was the 2015 sixth-round pick’s first career decision and victory. Dopico (0-2) was tagged with the loss for Winston-Salem. Drehoff finished off the game and picked up the save, his first of the season, striking out all four batters he faced.

The Red Sox continue their series with the Dash Friday night at Winston-Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm. Lefty Jalen Beeks (0-0, 0.00) gets the call for the Red Sox, his second start of the year, while Jordan Stephens (0-1, 2.25) will go for the Dash.  Follow along with all the coverage on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network.