Offensive Onslaught Blows Away Nationals
Published on August 21, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WOODBRIDGE, VA (AUGUST 21, 2011) - Not even some wet Sunday afternoon weather could dampen the Dash bats, as Winston-Salem's offense rebounded in a big way for a season-high 23 hits and 15 runs in a 15-3 throttling of the Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium. The win snapped the team's season-high-tying five-game losing streak as the Dash avoided a sweep at the hands of the Nationals.
The start of Sunday's game was anything but ideal for Winston-Salem (30-26, 62-64), as Francisco Soriano tripled against Ryan Buch and scored one batter later on Jose Lozada's RBI single.
Potomac (30-26, 59-66) proceeded to load the bases with no outs against Buch, but the right-hander was able to avoid major catastrophe in the inning. Sandy Leon drove in Lozada with an RBI groundout that moved to two into scoring position. Brian Peacock bounced a Buch offering to third base and Destin Hood was thrown out at the plate in an attempt to score for the second out. The inning ended when Steven Souza was caught in a rundown between third and home as Peacock attempted a steal of second base. Catcher Kevin Dubler tagged out Souza to end the inning as the Nats could only manage to score twice despite the potential for a big inning.
The Dash seemed energized by Potomac's early missed opportunity. After retiring the first two batters of the second inning, Erik Davis walked Kyle Colligan and surrendered a two-run home run to Luis Sierra to level the game at two.
Buch worked through more trouble in the second, allowing two runners in scoring position and throwing 26 pitches, but did not allow a run to keep the game tied.
Winston-Salem was able to pester Davis again with two outs in the top of the third. Ian Gac hit a tie-breaking home run, his league-leading 32nd of the season, and then the Dash loaded the bases on singles to bring Sierra to the plate. The Colombian cashed in for a two-run single to right field that upped Winston's lead to 5-2.
Tyler Saladino homered to lead off the fourth inning and he and Daniel Wagner each had RBI triples consecutively in the fifth to make it a six-run game.
After a 50-minute rain delay following the end of the sixth inning, Winston's offense kept up the pace to start the seventh. Saladino hit his second RBI triple of the game to score Wagner with two outs in the frame.
Potomac matched that with a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Dash scored again in the eighth and five times in the ninth inning off Mitchell Clegg to put an exclamation point on the day.
Orlando Santos (3-1) earned the win with three scoreless innings of work while J.R. Ballinger got his first save. Davis (0-3) took the loss, allowing five runs in 2.2 innings.
Every Dash batter had at least one hit and all but one had a multi-hit outing. Saladino and Wagner led the way with four hits each while Sierra and Wilkins both had three hits.
The season-high 23 hits came one game after Winston was held to a season-low two hits the night before.
The Dash's eight-game road trip continues with a quartet of games in Salem beginning Monday night. LHP Matt Wickswat (5-4, 4.23) looks to snap his personal four-start losing streak against LHP Drake Britton (1-13, 7.03). First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the audio broadcast beginning at 6:45 on www.wsdash.com .
The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark for their final home stand of the 2011 regular season on Friday, August 26. Winston-Salem will host Myrtle Beach in a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. Fans may purchase tickets for every game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or by visiting www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from August 21, 2011
- Indians Win Wild, Long One in Myrtle Beach - Kinston Indians
- Birds Fall 8-7 in Kinston Series Finale - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hillcats Crush Keys in Emotional Win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Falwell Remembered, Keys Defeated - Frederick Keys
- Blue Rock Bottom: Wilmington Sweeps Again - Salem Red Sox
- Rocks Sweep Second Straight Doubleheader - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Offensive Onslaught Blows Away Nationals - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- One for the Dogs: Dash Win 15-3 - Potomac Nationals
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
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