The Winston-Salem Dash clobbered three home runs to defeat the Salem Red Sox, 7-1 at BB&T Ballpark Thursday night.
Winston-Salem (27-40), playing under their retro moniker – the Warthogs, started with a bang when Hunter Jones smacked a leadoff home run against Red Sox (41-25) starter Daniel McGrath to take an early 1-0 lead. The Warthogs capitalized on a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a passed ball in the bottom of the second inning to plate three more runs.
Salem had chances against Winston starter Spencer Adams, but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them – stranding five runners on base in the first four innings. The night belonged to Adams (7-4), who allowed only three hits in his 8.0 shutout innings. The righty retired 15 of the last 16 batters to face him.
The Warthogs benefitted from a pair of solo home runs in the third against McGrath (1-3) in the third as they opened up a 6-0 lead. The southpaw settled down to complete 5.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits, walking three and striking out two.
Ben Taylor relieved McGrath, and allowed a run in the sixth, but set the Warthogs down 1-2-3 in the seventh, striking out two. Bobby Poyner retired the side in order in the eighth.
In the ninth inning with Adams out, the Red Sox got a leadoff triple from Nick Longhi, who scored on a Rafael Devers groundout. Euclides Leyer was able to finish the game off without any further damage.
The Red Sox continue the series with the Winston-Salem Dash Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Salem will hand the ball to Jalen Beeks (4-3, 3.02) while Winston-Salem counters with Tanner Banks (0-0, 7.50). Follow along with the action on the Salem Red Sox Baseball Network, with coverage beginning at 6:45 pm.
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Chris Graham
