CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Dash Win Game One 5-4 Using Three Late Runs

Published on May 17, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Winston-Salem, NC- The Potomac Nationals (22-19, 8-9) squandered a two-run lead in the 8th inning on Friday evening at BB&T Ballpark and saw the Winston-Salem Dash (19-21, 10-10) score three runs in that frame to overshadow the P-Nats by the final score of 5-4. Winston-Salem used three consecutive run scoring hits to down the P-Nats. The Nationals are now (3-2) against the Dash in 2013 after ending Potomac's two-game winning streak.

Potomac RHP Blake Schwartz received a no decision as the result of the P-Nats bullpen failing to hold the lead in a game in which he allowed just one earned run, two runs in all, on a season-high four base hits, in 6.0 innings of work. Schwartz walked just one and fanned four batters. Schwartz gunned down 11 in a row after walking RF Mark Haddow in the 2nd inning.

Winston-Salem RHP Ryan Buch, in his first start of the season with the Dash since being assigned to the Class-A Advanced level from Double-A Birmingham, surrendered three earned runs on eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Buch allowed one home run, a solo shot, to 3B Cutter Dykstra. Buch left the game on the hook for the loss but was let off as the trio of late runs propelled the Dash to victory.

After a scoreless stalemate through the first three innings, the Nationals plated a pair of runs in the 4th frame as LF Caleb Ramsey led off with a bunt single and he advanced to second base on a throwing error by C Kevan Smith that sailed by the first base bag. After an infield single off the barehand of Buch knocked to the mound by 2B Adrian Sanchez, 1B Justin Miller served an RBI double into the right center field alley to bring home Ramsey. Then, as C Cole Leonida struck out swinging, the ball was dropped by Smith and after the ball was collected, Smith failed to look Sanchez back to third base, and Sanchez alertly broke for home plate to score the second run of the game.

The Nationals took a 3-0 lead an inning later as Dykstra launched his first deep fly of the season onto the berm behind the left field wall.

The Dash fought back with two runs in the 6th stanza to cut the Nationals' lead to 3-2 courtesy of an RBI single through the hole at second base off the lumber of SS Chris Curley and a run-scoring single ripped into left field by 3B Jeremy Farrell.

Potomac garnered another run to serve as insurance cushion in the top of the 8th inning via an errant throw by Smith, his second defensive miscue of the game. Smith airmailed a throw down to third base that went up the left field line on a double steal attempt with the lead runner Ramsey coming in to touch home.

Then, the wheels of Potomac's momentum came off as Winston-Salem put together an epic two-out rally as RHP Colin Bates walked Curley, dealt a wild pitch to put Curley at second base, and surrendered an RBI single squared up to center field by Smith to score Curley. Nationals RHP Derek Self (BS 3, 2-2), the losing pitcher of record, came on and inherited Smith who then stole his first base of the season to get into scoring position. Self gave up an RBI double into the left field corner cranked by Farrell to tie the game at 4-4. Haddow then sprayed an RBI single into center field which was overan by CF Michael Taylor as Farrell raced to the plate to score the go-ahead run and give the Dash a 5-4 lead the home club would not relinquish.

Dash RHP Terance Marin (3-2), the winning pitcher, was gifted the lead, and finished off the contest by tossing 2.0 innings in which he allowed one unearned run on three hits with two strikeouts.

Despite Taylor belting a double to the left field corner, Marin closed the contest out by inducing a comebacker to the mound off the bat of DH Kevin Keyes.

Game Two will feature Potomac LHP Robbie Ray (3-2, 2.36) battling against Winston-Salem RHP Bryan Blough (2-4, 5.82) on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming with the P-Nats Baseball Pre-Game Show at 6:45PM before the live play-by-play at 7:00pm. Broadcast coverage is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 17, 2013


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