P-Nats Slow Dash in Tuesday's Series Opener
August 5, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (Aug. 5, 2014) - The Potomac Nationals cooled off Winston-Salem with a 6-2 victory in Tuesday night's series opener at Pfitzner Stadium.
Entering this three-game set, the Dash (24-21, 54-60) had won seven of their last eight games, the club's best stretch of the season. Winston-Salem was also atop the Southern Division on consecutive days for the first time since April 18-20, 2013, but Myrtle Beach's 2-0 win at Wilmington propelled the Pelicans back to a share of the top spot with the Dash.
Potomac (24-18, 62-49) never looked back after a three-run third against J.B. Wendelken (6-9), who was named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Isaac Ballou started the scoring with a two-run triple, and he scored on Tony Renda's sacrifice fly.
Shawn Pleffner added to the Nationals' lead in the fifth inning with an RBI single, which was the end of the line for Wendelken. He surrendered four runs on six hits in four and two-thirds innings. This follows his 13-strikeout gem on Wednesday against Frederick.
After Potomac tacked on two more unearned runs in the sixth inning, the Dash mustered their only legitimate push of the contest. The first four batters reached via a single in the seventh inning, with Keenyn Walker netting an RBI. Reliever Richie Mirowski responded with back-to-back strikeouts before an error gifted the Dash another run. However, Mirowski whiffed Keon Barnum to escape the inning and minimize the damage.
For the first six innings, Potomac starter Brian Rauh (2-1) dominated the Dash. In his longest start of the season, Rauh scattered three hits and worked around four walks. The Dash stranded six runners during his outing.
In the ninth, Winston-Salem's first two batters reached, but Cody Davis set down the next three he faced, which left the potential tying run on deck.
The middle match of this three-game series is set for Wednesday night at 7:05 from Pfitzner Stadium. The Dash send right-hander James Dykstra (2-0, 2.70 ERA) to the bump against southpaw Matthew Spann (7-5, 4.65 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 on wsdash.com/broadcast.
The Dash return home Tuesday, August 12, for a quick three-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves). The opener of the series features a postgame fireworks show and $1 hot dogs! For tickets, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from August 5, 2014
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- P-Nats Slow Dash in Tuesday's Series Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 5 at Potomac) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:05 at Wilmington Blue Rocks - August 5, 2014 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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- Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem Red Sox
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