Potomac Extinguishes Dash Rally
Published on May 31, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WOODBRIDGE, VA (MAY 31, 2010) - Just when it looked like Winston-Salem would tie Monday's game for a third time, the Potomac Nationals found a way to snuff out the Dash's last-chance rally and earn a slim 4-3 Memorial Day win. Potomac centerfielder Nick Moresi threw out what would have been the tying run at the plate to end the ballgame and send the Dash to its fifth loss in six games.
The game was another pitcher's duel, as both Winston's Nevin Griffith and Potomac's Evan Bronson were excellent on a hot and sunny afternoon in northern Virginia.
The Nationals (23-28) grabbed the lead in the third inning after Jose Lozada tripled and was driven in by a Steve Lombardozzi single.
Winston-Salem (33-18) tied the game in the sixth inning. Jordan Cheatham hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot hit on a line to right field.
Potomac re-took the lead in the bottom of the frame with a two-out rally. After Griffith got Will Ortiz to bounce into a double play, he walked the next two batters. Tyler Moore followed with a single to left field, scoring Derrick Norris from second and putting the P-Nats on top 2-1.
Bronson began showing signs of tiring when he entered the seventh inning. Jon Gilmore led off with an infield hit. Bronson proceeded to walk Seth Loman after getting ahead in the count 0-2. Gary Cathcart then called upon Zach Dials (1-0) to work out of the two-on, nobody out jam.
Dials struck out the first man he faced, but Jason Bour lined a soft single to right field to bring home Gilmore and tie the game at two apiece.
Hector Santiago (3-4) relieved Griffith in the bottom seventh and was hit hard by the first two batters. Robby Jacobson blasted a solo home run to left field to break the tie. Moresi followed with a triple and scored on Lozada's sacrifice fly to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead.
The Dash was staring straight at another loss when it began a lifeless ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Dials then walked Ozzie Lewis and gave up a double to Bour, putting two men in scoring position. Bour represented the tying run with the team down to its final out.
Kyle Shelton was the next batter, and he hit a sinking line drive to center field. Lewis scored easily on the base hit, and Bour was waved around by third base coach and manager Joe McEwing. Moresi's throw home tailed up the third base line, where catcher Robby Jacobson reeled it in and placed the tag on Bour just shy of home plate to end the ballgame.
Dials blew the save, but picked up his first Carolina League win. He pitched three innings and allowed one run on three hits and a walk. Dials struck out five Dash hitters.
Santiago was charged with the loss after giving up two runs in his lone inning of work.
The Dash offense started slow, but finished with a flurry. Winston-Salem posted just one base hit in the first five innings and picked up seven over the last four. The team's eight hits were not enough to prevent its season batting average from falling below .300 for the first time since April 21. The Dash's clip fell to .299 following Monday's game.
Winston-Salem is now 2-5 on its nine-game road trip. The team will look to return to the win column on Tuesday night in the second game of the series. RHP Stephen Sauer (4-2, 4.56) opposes RHP Adrian Alaniz (1-1, 2.55) in a 7:03 p.m. start. The Dash pre-game show begins at 6:45 on www.wsdash.com.
The Dash returns to BB&T Ballpark on June 3 for a four-game series against the Kinston Indians.
Fans may purchase tickets for every Dash game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visiting www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from May 31, 2010
- McFarland Masters Blue Rocks - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lynchburg Walks Off with 4-3 Comeback Victory - Salem Red Sox
- T.J. McFarland Pitches a Gem, Kinston Wins 4-1 - Kinston Indians
- Teheran Makes History in Pelicans Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Cats Cap Comeback and Walk Off to Win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Nery's Solid Start Not Enough - Frederick Keys
- Potomac Extinguishes Dash Rally - Winston-Salem Dash
- P-Nats Stop Dash 4-3 On Play At The Plate - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Potomac Makes Roster Moves - Potomac Nationals
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