On The Farm: Dashing Towards The Playoffs

Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010
Posted: 9:45 p.m.
By Kevin Czerwinski
CSNChicago.com
WHITE SOXWinston-Salem A
The Dash continued their quest to make a clean sweep of the Carolina Leagues Southern Division on Thursday afternoon by topping Lynchburg, 11-0, at BB&T Ballpark. Winston-Salem, which has won seven consecutive games, improved its lead to 1games over Kinston, which was scheduled to play Thursday night.

A trio of Dash pitchers allowed only five hits. Joe Serafin 3-4 picked up his second consecutive victory and 10th overall this season after scattering three hits over six innings. Ryan Kussmaul and Charlis Burdie each allowed a hit over the final three innings to preserve the victory.

Winston-Salem scored five times in the first inning, providing Serafin and Co. all they would need. Jon Gilmore had the third of three consecutive singles to lead off the inning, a liner to right that brought in the games first run. Nick Ciolli continued his tear since coming up from Kannapolis by rocking a two-run double to right before Luis Sierra added a two-run double of his own.

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Ciolli finished 3-for-5 and has hit safely in all five games .478 in which he has played for the Dash. Winston-Salem finished with 15 hits and has outscored the Hillcats, 27-2, through the first three games of the series. ... Joe McEwing was named carolina League manager of the year on Thursday. Eduardo Escobar, Jon Gilmore, Brandon Short and Justin Greene were all named to the post-season All-Star team.
Kannapolis A
Andre Rienzo put quite the exclamation point on what was a marvelous season Thursday night in Kannapolis 8-5 victory at Delmarva.

Rienzo 8-4 improved to 8-0 in his last 11 starts dating back to July 7. He posted a 1.95 ERA over the 64 innings in that 11-game stretch. He allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last 10 starts.

Ryan Lee was 3-for-6 with an RBI while Kevin Dubler had two hits, two walks and drove in three.
In other action, Mike Aubreysthree-run homer in the bottom of the 13th gave Norfolk a 4-1 victoryover Charlotte. Carlos Torres started and allowed a run in seveninnings. Dayan Viciedo was 1-for-5. ... Birmingham blanked visiting Carolina, 8-0. Ricky Brooks scattered four hits and struck out eight over five innings to pick up the victory. Josh Phegley hit his first Double-A homer and drew a pair of walks while Chris Marrero had two hits and two RBIs.
CUBSDaytona A
The Cubs remained in the Florida State League playoff hunt Thursday night but are on the verge of elimination despite defeating Clearwater, 5-4, at Bright House Field. Daytona remains two games behind Tampa, which defeated Brevard County, with three games left in the regular season.

Rebel Ridling had a homer and three RBIs to pace the Cubs while DJ LeMahieu added a homer and two RBIs of his own. Nick Struck allowed three runs over 5 13 innings to pick up his first FSL victory.The Cubs close out the season with three games at Lakeland while Tampa will host Dunedin in a three-game set.
In other action, Tennessee dropped a 6-2 decision at Jacksonville. The Smokies managed only three hits. Rafael Dolis allowed four runs in 5 23 innings to take the loss. Tennessee manager Bill Dancy was named Southern League manager of the year on Thursday.