Results tagged ‘ Chris Bassitt ’
Dash quartet helps Carolina League roll
The Carolina League cruised to its second straight Midsummer Classic rout on Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium in San Jose, Calif., by a score of 12-2.
The Dash boasted four All-Stars in the contest, and all of them contributed to the blowout win.
- Jeremy Farrell, who was the starting designated hitter, went 1-for-4 with a leadoff homer on the first pitch of the top of the second inning. He also scored after getting plunked in fifth.
- Chris Curley, who entered as a pinch hitter in the fifth, went 1-for-2 with an eighth-inning single. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, which was won by Lynchburg’s Robby Hefflinger.
- Chris Beck worked a scoreless sixth inning. He induced a pair of groundouts and a flyout with a one-out walk mixed into his first career All-Star effort.
- Chris Bassitt stranded a pair of runners in a scoreless eighth frame. He walked a batter with one out before surrendering a single on a check swing by Angel Villalona. Bassitt responded with a pair of strikeouts to escape the jam.
Including last year’s 9-1 victory in Winston-Salem, the Carolina League has outscored the California League 21-3 over the last two All-Star Games. The “good guys” now own a slight 8-7-2 all-time series lead.
We’ll have more on the Midsummer Classic throughout the week.
- Brian
Game #66 Preview – Winston-Salem v. Lynchburg
With five days remaining in the first half, the Dash are one game behind Myrtle Beach in the Southern Division standings. Thus, we will have a game preview available for every game until either the Dash or the Pelicans claim the first-half crown.
Game #66 – Home Game #36
Winston-Salem Dash vs. Lynchburg Hillcats
Wednesday, June 12 – 7 p.m.
Current Position: 2nd (1.0 GB)
GAME BACKGROUND:
Winston-Salem plays its final home game of the first half tonight at 7 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. One night after spoiling a five-run lead, the Dash rebounded with a 7-2 win over the ‘Cats on Tuesday at BB&T Ballpark. The Dash kept pace with first-place Myrtle Beach, who edged Frederick 5-4 for its fifth consecutive win.
Chris Beck will try to continue his personal four-game win streak tonight (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
STARTING PITCHERS:
Winston-Salem – RHP Chris Beck (6-6, 2.79 ERA): Beck makes his final start of the first half on Wednesday before representing the Dash in the 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game. The righty is only five days removed from his first career complete game and the second nine-inning complete game shutout in the Dash era (2009-present). Beck is sixth in the league in earned run average, and he can tie Lynchburg’s Navery Moore for the league lead in wins tonight. Against Lynchburg this season, Beck has allowed five earned runs in 12.1 innings over two starts, both of which have been losses.
Lynchburg – RHP Greg Ross (2-3, 4.26 ERA): Ross began the campaign as a reliever with Low-A Rome, where he allowed just three earned runs in 19.1 innings (1.40 ERA). He climbed to the High-A level for the first time in early May to join Lynchburg’s rotation. His last two starts have both resulted in losses, during which he has allowed 11 runs in just nine innings of action. He has never pitched against the Dash in his minor league career.
DASH DOTS:
- Winston-Salem is 7-1 in its last eight home games dating back to May 31. In those eight games, the Dash are averaging 7.8 runs per game. Only Potomac (22) owns more home victories than Winston-Salem (21) thus far this season.
- With a 1-for-4 effort on Tuesday, Joey DeMichele extended his hitting streak to 11 games. During this run, he is hitting .370 (17-for-46) with three RBIs and seven runs scored. Dating back to May 26, he has hit safely in 17 of 19 games and raised his overall batting average 61 points to .248.
- DeMichele is the fourth Winston-Salem hitter to put together a hitting streak of 10 or more games, a claim that no other CL club can make. His run is tied with Mark Haddow (April 6-18) and Rangel Ravelo (May 3-28) for the longest hitting streak by a Dash hitter in 2013.
- The Dash dropped to a league-worst 1-8 on Monday with their series-opening loss two days ago, while Winston improved to 8-2 on Tuesday last night. For what it’s worth, the Dash are 4-4 on Wednesday thus far in 2013.
- Winston-Salem is 1-3 in rubber matches thus far this season. In their three such losses, the Dash have been outscored 27-12.
- With a win tonight, Winston would climb six games above the .500 mark for the first time this season.
BIRD’S-EYE VIEW:
The Pelicans aim for a series sweep of the Frederick Keys tonight at 7:05. This is a near must-win for Frederick, who is four games behind Potomac in the Northern Division with six games left. Luke Jackson (5-4, 2.44 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Birds against fellow righty Zach Petersime (2-5, 6.99 ERA).
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Join Rob Low and I for all the play-by-play coverage beginning at 6:45 with the Pregame Dash. Fans can listen live here or watch on MiLB.tv. You’ll hear from Chris Bassitt, the newest Carolina League All-Star, during the show.
- Brian
Game #65 Preview – Winston-Salem v. Lynchburg
With six days remaining in the first half, the Dash are one game behind Myrtle Beach in the Southern Division standings. Thus, we will have a game preview available for every game until either the Dash or the Pelicans claim the first-half crown.
Game #65 – Home Game #35
Winston-Salem Dash vs. Lynchburg Hillcats
Tuesday, June 11 – 7 p.m.
Current Position: 2nd (1.0 GB)
GAME BACKGROUND:
For the first time since Thursday, the Dash find themselves looking up at the Birds in the Southern Division. Winston-Salem spoiled a five-run lead at home against Lynchburg in a 10-9 defeat, while Myrtle Beach edged Frederick 2-1. Winston has six games remaining in the first half, while the Pelicans finish with seven games in six days.
Chris Bassitt defeated the Hillcats on April 23 at BB&T Ballpark (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
STARTING PITCHERS:
Winston-Salem – RHP Chris Bassitt (5-2, 3.74 ERA): Bassitt is tied for fourth in the Carolina League with five wins, and his earned run average is 12th-best on the circuit. However, the righty has struggled in his last five starts (1-2, 7.11 ERA). Prior to this funk, Bassitt was arguably the CL’s best pitcher through mid-May (4-0, 1.71 ERA). The former Akron Zip collected one of his team high-tying six quality starts during his only outing against Lynchburg in 2013. He went six innings and surrendered only two runs in a win over the Hillcats on April 23 at BB&T Ballpark.
Lynchburg – TBA: The Hillcats have yet to announce a starter. A roster move is expected in advance of tonight’s game.
DASH DOTS:
- The Dash’s season-long six-game home winning streak came to an end on Monday. Winston-Salem, who suffered its first home loss of the month, outscored its opposition 46-17 during the streak.
- In Monday’s series opener, Winston spoiled a five-run lead, the largest advantage wasted in a Dash loss this season. The Dash had not wasted a lead bigger than last night’s five-run cushion since August 31, 2011, when Winston-Salem held a 7-1 lead in a game it lost to Salem by a score of 16-10.
- Winston-Salem matched a season high with three homers in Monday’s loss. The Dash are second in the Carolina League with 56 homers, which is one shy of Frederick for the circuit’s top spot.
- Joey DeMichele continued his recent tear with a 2-for-4 effort Monday. He boasts a 10-game hitting streak, which is one game shy of the longest by a Dash hitter this season. Both Mark Haddow and Rangel Ravelo have strung together a hitting streak of 11 games in 2013.
- Outfielder Courtney Hawkins continues to thrive since returning from the disabled list on June 2. The top prospect in the White Sox system hit his 12th homer in his 33rd game with Winston-Salem. Since his left shoulder injury fully healed, Hawkins is hitting .308 (12-for-39) with five homers and 14 RBIs.
- Congratulations to Double-A Birmingham on clinching the first half North Division title in the Southern League with a win over Jacksonville on Monday. More than half of the current Barons were with Winston-Salem last year on a team that many called the “best team I’ve ever been on.” Two Dash alums spoke out on Twitter about the accomplishment.
Clinched the first half in the southern league! Guaranteed a spot in playoffs! We ain’t done yet! Gotta get that ring! #Barons #Ambition
— Keenyn Walker (@Keenyn_Walker) June 10, 2013
Best feeling in sports: burning eyes from a champagne shower. #PlayoffClinch #NoGoggles #America
— Kevin Vance (@SorryBoutIt10) June 10, 2013
BIRD’S-EYE VIEW:
The Pelicans and Frederick Keys continue their three-game set from TicketReturn.com Field tonight at 7:05. This season, Myrtle Beach is 6-3 against the Keys, who are now 3.5 games behind Potomac in the Northern Division. Thus, this is a huge game for Frederick, too. The Birds send Victor Payano (4-3, 3.86 ERA) to the hill against fellow southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez (6-2, 2.94 ERA).
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Join Rob Low and I for all the play-by-play coverage beginning at 6:45 with the Pregame Dash. Fans can listen live here or watch on MiLB.tv.
- Brian
Friday funnies
The Dash and Mudcats are a few hours away from kicking off a three-game series at Five County Stadium. With many of you approaching a long weekend, we figured to give you some quick laughs and quirks before heading off to your holiday destinations.
After last night’s game in Salem, the Dash hit the road for Zebulon, N.C. There was some, well, unique deliberation about the movie choice on the bus.
The team wanted to watch Mighty Ducks on the bus. Coaches didnt want to. So, Naturally, we ‘Quacked! Quacked!,Quacked!” Until we got our way
— Grant Buckner (@GrantBuckner) May 24, 2013
No Mighty Ducks the coaches said? Well our team answered… “QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!!!!” Now we are watching Mighty Ducks 2.
— Chris Bassitt (@C_Bass419) May 24, 2013
Also last night, 2012 Dash skipper Tommy Thompson had quite an exit last night when Low-A Kannapolis played Hickory.
(H/T to @TepidP for the link on Twitter)
The Intimidators and Crawdads played in arguably the wackiest game of the minor league season thus far this season. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Hickory’s Jordan Akins hit a long fly down down the left field line. It was originally ruled a home run, but the umpire duo reversed the call AFTER Akins rounded the bases and celebrated with his teammates.
Take a listen to the highlights from the ninth inning from Kannapolis play-by-play broadcaster Josh Feldman.
Unfortunately, the ‘Dads rallied from a four-run 12th-inning deficit to stun the Intimidators 7-6. You can check out the full Kannapolis game story here. Plus, Feldman covers it more in his Intimidating Insight blog here.
The Dash and Muddies kick off their series tonight at 7:15 p.m. The Pregame Dash begins at 7 p.m., and you can listen live here. Talk to you then.
- Brian
Updates on Hawkins, Heisler, others
Courtney Hawkins is slowly working his way back from a left shoulder injury (Dan Barber/W-S Dash).
Winston-Salem rolled the Salem Red Sox 11-1 last night in a series opener at LewisGale Field for their fourth straight win, which matches the Dash’s longest winning streak of the campaign. We touch on that blowout, along with a pair of important injury updates, today in the Dots.
DASH DOTS:
- Dash outfielder Courtney Hawkins, who has been on the disabled list since injuring his left shoulder on May 1 at Lynchburg, does not yet have an official timetable for his return. However, Hawkins has spent most of the last few weeks with the Dash, and he is slowly resuming baseball activities. The White Sox first-round pick in 2012, Hawkins has begun throwing and taking dry swings, but he has not hit in the cage yet.
- Hawkins, who hurt his shoulder while making a diving catch in left-center field, is going through his first full season in professional baseball, and this is obviously a setback. Still, the 19-year-old remains in good spirits and in the middle of the Dash’s activities. He is always at the cage during batting practice and near the coaches during each game. You can be sure that Hawkins is getting the itch to return to the field, but he is also soaking up as much as he can while absorbing the game from a different perspective.
- Another Winston-Salem outfielder is banged up a bit. Adam Heisler hurt his knee on a diving catch last Sunday in Potomac. He finished the game but then missed the following three games. The Mobile, Ala., native then played from Thursday through Saturday before missing the last two games as the knee injury continues to bother him. Dash skipper Ryan Newman says Heisler is day-to-day, so we will keep track of his progress.
- Heisler’s injury is noteworthy throughout the Minor League Baseball landscape thanks to his 41-game on-base streak, which is the longest current run in the minors. Barring a disabled list trip, Heisler will have the longest such streak until it ends because he has a pretty safe lead on his closest competitors.
- Rangel Ravelo has been on fire at the High-A level despite a trip to the DL. In his five games with Winston-Salem, Ravelo is hitting .625 (10-for-16) with eight RBIs and four runs scored. He is also a ridiculous 7-for-9 (.778) with men in scoring position.
- The Dash reached, matched or approached plenty of season highs in Tuesday’s thumping of the Red Sox. Jeremy Farrell became the first Dash swinger with four extra-base hits in a single game. The Dash have matched a season high with four straight victories. Joey DeMichele was the fourth man to swipe a pair of bases in one game. Winston won by 10 runs, which is the second-largest margin of victory this season.
- Don’t forget about the pitching side of Tuesday’s victory. Starter Chris Bassitt rebounded from his worst start of the season with one of his best. Bassitt now owns a share of the Carolina League’s wins lead with five. He and three relievers (J.R. Ballinger, Jarrett Casey and Jeremy Erben) combined on a three-hitter in the series opener.
The Dash are back at it tonight at 7:05 in Salem. Join me for the Pregame Dash at 6:50 here. Talk to you then.
- Brian
Breaking down the Dash…on Twitter
After a successful homestand, the Dash are enjoying an off day today before going on the road for a six-game trip to square off with division rivals Salem and Carolina.
Because today is an off day, we wanted to have some fun. Plenty of Dash players are on Twitter, and we found five players who tweeted some, well, interesting things, such as Duck Dynasty, Happy Feet and huge televisions. We’ll let them explain what they mean here:
Hope you enjoy!
- Erika
Dash tweaking starting rotation
Jason Van Skike will make his second professional start Sunday (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
For the first time this season, Winston-Salem will make a few changes to its starting rotation, Dash skipper Ryan Newman announced Friday.
Two of the Dash’s five starters have been tremendous thus far this season. Chris Beck (1.50) and Chris Bassitt (1.71) boast the top two earned run averages among active Carolina League pitchers. Former Potomac ace Taylor Jordan (1.24) is the only qualifier with a better mark, but he makes his Double-A debut tonight for Harrisburg. It is no surprise that this duo will remain in the rotation.
Two other members of the Dash’s Opening Day rotation, right-handers Justin Collop and Terance Marin, are heading to the bullpen. Collop (2-3, 5.79 ERA) worked through five innings in each of his first five starts, but he allowed eight runs in two and two-thirds in his most recent effort Monday against Frederick. The Wayne, Mich., native has been a reliever before. He has come out of the bullpen in 38 of his 99 career minor league efforts.
Marin (2-2, 7.04 ERA) also returns to the bullpen, where he spent his entire professional career before this season. The Newman, Calif., native pitched well in his first three starts, allowing just five earned runs in 17 innings of work. However, the righty has allowed at least six runs in his last three outings. Marin boasts a 2.18 ERA in his 77 career minor league appearances out of the bullpen.
Winston-Salem’s other starter, Bryan Blough, will also remain in the rotation, and he will technically move up a day and pitch the finale of this four-game series in Potomac. However, Blough will have normal rest thanks to Thursday’s off day.
As of now, we know one of the two new members of the Dash’s rotation. Right-hander Jason Van Skike, who has allowed just one earned run in his 15 innings with the Dash since an April 12 promotion from Kannapolis, will take to the hill tomorrow afternoon. Van Skike has only started one game in his minor league career, and it came in game two of Winston-Salem’s doubleheader sweep of Wilmington on April 20.
Newman and the White Sox have not determined the fifth and final member of the current rotation, so here is how the next few days shake up for the Dash on the mound:
Saturday – RHP Chris Beck
Sunday – RHP Jason Van Skike
Monday – RHP Bryan Blough
Tuesday – TBA
Wednesday – RHP Chris Bassitt
Stay tuned to the Dash Board for news on the Dash’s Tuesday starter. Join me for the Pregame Dash at 6:20 tonight here. Talk to you then.
- Brian
More on Tracy’s big night
Mark Tracy turned in an offensive effort for the record books Friday (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).
In Winston-Salem’s 10-1 victory over Salem Friday night, Mark Tracy was the star of the show. The Dash’s designated hitter went yard twice and drove in six runs. Here are some notes on Tracy’s stellar Friday:
- Tracy matched the single-game high in home runs and RBIs in Dash history (2009-present). This was the Dash’s 30th two-homer effort, and Tracy became the 22nd different player to accomplish the feat. The Presto, Penn., native is also the sixth Dash swinger to drive in six runs in a game. Reigning Carolina League MVP Dan Black mustered Winston-Salem’s last six-RBI day, which was also against Salem on August 15, 2012.
- The former Colorado farmhand also equaled career highs in homers and RBIs in a single game. Tracy also went yard twice and drove in six runs for High-A Modesto in a 19-6 win at Visalia on June 12, 2012.
- Five of Tracy’s last six hits have been home runs, and all 12 of his RBIs have come home thanks to home runs.
- Both of Tracy’s dingers came on the first pitch of his at-bat. The right-handed swinger followed those homers up with an RBI single in the fifth and a full-count strikeout in the eighth.
- We can’t forget about Chris Bassitt’s fourth consecutive gem. Bassitt held the Red Sox to one run in seven strong innings for his fourth straight win and quality start. The Curtice, Ohio, native has allowed just three earned runs in his last 27 innings, lowering his ERA to 1.95.
The Dash’s blowout victory pulls the club within a game of first-place Myrtle Beach in the Southern Division standings. We’ll talk to you tomorrow.
- Brian
Brunch and baseball this morning
(precisionnutrition.com)
The Dash are less than two hours away from some baseball at BB&T Ballpark. Players normally have a love/hate relationship with games like today’s 11 a.m. contest. Baseball players are rarely awake this early on normal gamedays, but the chance to have a night off is a luxury for those in the minor leagues.
A current Dash hurler and a Winston-Salem alum, who is getting up early for a game with Triple-A Charlotte, weighed in on Twitter. They may have been enjoying a cup of coffee like the one you see to the right while tweeting:
This 11 o’clock game could be the worst idea in the history of ideas. Man needs his sleep.
— Chris Bassitt (@C_Bass419) April 24, 2013
11 am games are….. ridiculous! #caffeine #lotsofit
— Brian Omogrosso (@CaptainOmo) April 24, 2013
My guess is that there will be much happier tweets from players while they are enjoying their evening away from the ballpark.
Now, without further ado, here are a few nuggets of information in advance of today’s matchup between the Dash and Lynchburg Hillcats.
DASH DOTS:
- Righty Chris Beck, who will start this morning for the Dash, has dominated in his first three starts of 2013. The fourth-best pitching prospect in the White Sox system according to Baseball America, Beck has yet to allow an earned run in 18.2 innings.
- Only John Gast of the Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A, St. Louis) has thrown more innings to begin 2013 without surrendering an earned tally (24.2). Other than Beck, no qualifying pitcher in the CL has an ERA lower than 1.33 (Myrtle Beach’s Luke Jackson). Beck is one of six qualifying pitchers in the minors without an earned run on their résumé this year.
- Winston-Salem’s recent history against Lynchburg has been incredibly even. Since the 2011 season, Winston-Salem and Lynchburg have played 46 regular season or playoff games, and the Dash own a slight 24-22 edge.
- Of those 46 games, 27 of them, or 59 percent, have been decided by only one or two runs. With their win last night, the Dash now own a 14-13 advantage in those 27 contests. Dating back to last season, these two squads have played six straight games decided by two runs or less (also eight of the last 10).
- The Dash’s defense has shined lately. Winston-Salem has not committed an error in four straight games. The Dash’s last error came in the fifth inning of the opener of Saturday’s double dip against Wilmington, a span of 36 straight innings without a defensive miscue.
- How about this for a turnaround: the Dash surrendered a league-best 15 unearned runs in their first 10 games, but Winston-Salem has not given up an unearned tally in its last eight.
Rob and I will join you at 10:45 a.m. for the Pregame Dash. Hope you can spend your morning and afternoon with us here. Talk to you then.
- Brian
All-You-Can-Eat version of the Dash Dots
Mark Haddow’s hitting streak reached 10 Wednesday night (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).
It’s a big night at BB&T Ballpark with our first-ever All-You-Can-Eat Night, so let’s give you some Dash Dots to tide your hunger over before gametime.
DASH DOTS:
- Chris Bassitt set a new career high with seven innings of work on Wednesday at Myrtle Beach. In his six career appearances against the Pelicans, Bassitt boasts 23.1 scoreless innings, including his seven-inning effort in the deciding third game of the 2012 Southern Division Championship Series.
- Not only are the Dash tied for first in the Southern Division, but they also currently have the best earned run average (3.03) through twelve games. The Dash also became the third team to notch a shutout victory with Wednesday’s 2-0 triumph.
- Outfielder Mark Haddow has hit safely in 10 straight games, which is the longest streak in the Carolina League this year and currently tied for the longest streak in the White Sox organization with Birmingham’s Marcus Semien. Haddow’s streak began on April 6 at Carolina. Haddow boasts a .389 batting average as well as five RBIs and seven runs scored during the streak.
- Top White Sox prospect Courtney Hawkins is tied for the league lead with five home runs. Hawkins’ latest home run from last night was, well, crushed. Take a look.
- Top pitching prospects will face off tonight as Chris Beck (1-1, 0.00 ERA), the top pitching prospect on the Dash’s roster according to Baseball America, goes against fellow righty Kyle Zimmer (0-0, 1.64 ERA), Kansas City’s top overall farmhand per the publication. Both hurlers have gotten off to great starts in their High-A careers, so this could be a good one at BB&T Ballpark.
Tonight will the Dash’s first ever All-You-Can-Eat night! Guests will consume an unlimited amount of burgers and hot dogs through the seventh inning. Will All-You-Can-Eat night beat out the highest Thursday attendance in BB&T Ballpark history (4,968)? Find out in tomorrow’s post about All-You-Can-Eat night!
- Erika
