Game #17 Preview — Dash vs. Salem

Game #17 — Home Game #7 Dash (9–7) at Salem Red Sox (9–7) Saturday, April 21–6:00 p.m. BB&T Ballpark (Winston-Salem, N.C.)

LEADING OFF: Winston-Salem looks to get back in the win column tonight after falling to the Red Sox *last night 10–3*. The Dash were held hitless until Joel Booker singled in the fifth. He finished the game 3-for-4 with a triple, and reached base four times.

The Dash send ace Dane Dunning to the hill today. Thus far, Dunning has carved up the Carolina League, and is currently tied for second in the league in strikeouts (23). Thing were a bit rocky in his last start, however, when he allowed a season-high four runs on a season-high eight hits in six innings against the Down East Wood Ducks. Still, his control has been on point. Over his last two starts, Dunning has struck out 15 and walked none.

Salem counters with right-hander Roniel Raudes, the 22nd-best prospect in the Red Sox system according to MLB Pipeline. Like Dunning, things were shaky for Raudes his last time out. He allowed a season-high five runs on five hits, striking out two and walking two in just 3.1 innings pitched against the Potomac Nationals.

Pitching Matchup: RHP Dane Dunning (1–1, 2.60 ERA) vs. RHP Roniel Raudes (1–1, 4.97 ERA)

Dash infielder Ti’Quan Forbes is third on the team with nine walks this season. (Winston-Salem Dash)

DASH LINEUP: 1. Joel Booker — LF 2. Alex Call — RF 3. Luis Basabe — CF 4. Micker Adolfo — DH 5. Gavin Sheets — 1B 6. Yermin Mercedes — C 7. Zach Remillard — 3B 8. Nate Nolan — 2B 9. Mitch Roman — SS

DASH DOTS: · Joel Booker notched three hits and reached base four times, but the Dash fell to the Salem Red Sox 10–3 on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. Winston-Salem was held hitless until the fifth frame, when Booker bounced a single back up the middle. His hit ended the night for Red Sox right-hander Bryan Mata, who struck five and walked four in 4.1 innings of work. Booker finished the night 3-for-4. However, the Red Sox started the scoring in the third, plating two runs on three hits. Salem plated three in the fourth to knock out starter Jimmy Lambert, who went 3.1 innings and allowed five runs. Salem added one run in the sixth and four runs in the eighth to pull away for good.

Coming into the season, the Dash were slated to have one of the most talented outfields in Minor League Baseball. That has proven to be the case, with several Dash outfielders ranking among the best in the Carolina League in several different offensive categories. The Dash outfielders possess the top four batting averages in the circuit, and four of the five best marks in the White Sox system. Here’s an overall look at the numbers from four of the team’s outfielders: Micker Adolfo: (.349 AVG, third), (three HRs, T-third), (14 RBIs, second), (.587 SLG, third), (nine extra-base hits, T-first) Joel Booker: (.364 AVG, second), (11 runs scored, T-ninth) Luis Basabe: (.339 AVG, fourth), (.625 SLG, first), (.439 OBP, third), (eight extra-base hits, T-fifth) Blake Rutherford: (.373 AVG, first), (seven doubles, T-second)

Through 16 games, the Dash offense has staked their claim as the best in the 10-team circuit. Winston-Salem sits alone atop the Carolina League in several offensive categories, including batting average (.285), hits (155), on-base percentage (.377), slugging percentage (.452), doubles (39) and home runs (14). Interestingly enough, Winston-Salem had only three home runs through the first nine games before exploding with 11 blasts over the last seven games.

The Dash are in the midst of their second homestand of the season, and Saturday is the third game of a four-game set against the Salem Red Sox. Winston-Salem will square off against the Red Sox 21 times in 2018, the second-most games among all opponents this year. Winston-Salem will head to Haley Toyota Field for the first time from May 7–9. The Dash are 87–101-1 all-time against the Salem franchise.

Through three starts this year, Saturday’s starter Dane Dunning has re-established himself as one of the best pitchers in the Carolina League. So far this season, Dunning is 1–1 with a 2.60 ERA and 23 strikeouts, good for the second-best mark in the circuit. Last year, Dunning posted an 8–8 record with a 2.94 ERA between Low-A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem in 2017. The former Florida Gator made just four starts with the Intimidators, where he went 2–0 with a 0.35 ERA en route to earning White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors and a promotion to Winston-Salem. During his first stint with Winston, Dunning went 6–8 with a 3.51 ERA in 22 starts.

Having pitched for the Dash last year, Dunning has already made five starts against the Red Sox in his career: 5/7/17:@ SAL: 2.2 IP, 5H, 3R-ER, 3BB, 6K; ND 6/11/17 vs. SAL: 5.2IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 5K; L 7/21/17 vs. SAL: 4.2IP, 9H, 8R-ER, 4HR; L 7/31/17 vs. SAL: 7.0IP, 3H, 1R-ER, 1BB, 11K; ND 9/3/17 @ SAL: 7.0IP, 1H, 0R, 9K; W

BROADCAST INFORMATION: Saturday’s matchup with the Red Sox will be broadcast online on at **wsdash.com/broadcast and the [TuneIn Radio App](https://tunein.com/radio/Winston-Salem-Dash-Baseball-Network-s167265/)**. The Pregame Dash commences at 5:45 p.m., with first pitch on tap for 6:00 p.m.