CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Warthogs Toss No-Hitter, Still Get Swept By Potomac in Doubleheader

Published on April 29, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA - The Winston-Salem Warthogs continue to find new ways to lose as they get swept in a doubleheader at Potomac even though three pitchers combined to toss a no-hitter in the nightcap. Potomac rallied for a 3-2 victory in game two after winning the opener 1-0 in walk-off fashion in extra innings to extend the Warthogs losing streak to five games.

Matt Zaleski started game two for Winston-Salem and carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before walking two batters. Zaleski stranded the runners and exited the game with a 2-0 lead after tossing five hitless innings with two strikeouts. Warthog's reliever Matt Long started the sixth inning. Brian Peacock reached on an error and Long surrendered back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs.

Long was pulled in favor of Kanekoa Texeira, who proceeded to strikeout Chris Marrero for the first out of the inning. A passed ball allowed Peacock to score Potomac's first run and moved the runners to second and third base. Leonard Davis was intentionally walked to load the bases and Edgardo Baez followed with another walk, which brought the tying run across the plate. Dee Brown avoided a double play by beating out a relay throw at first base and his RBI fielders' choice gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Texeira struck out Steve Doetsch to end the inning as Potomac scored three runs in the inning without a hit.

Nationals closer Zech Zinicola retired the Warthogs in order in the top of the seventh to collect his second save of the season and conclude the rare feat of winning without registering a hit. The last combined no-hitter in the Carolina League occurred on April 12, 2006 when Frederick hurlers Radhames Liz, Russ Petrick, Jeff Montani and Casey Cahill combined to blank Salem 3-0. The last time a team threw a no-hitter and lost was July 1, 1978 when Henry Mack tossed a no-hitter for Peninsula in a 3-2 loss to Lynchburg.

The Warthogs scored their runs when Sergio Miranda delivered a two-out bases-loaded single to score Salvador Sanchez and C.J. Retherford giving Winston-Salem a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.

In the opener, Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes, who is serving a rehab stint with Potamac while recovering from a hamstring injury, smacked a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Nationals a walk-off 1-0 win over Winston-Salem.

After inducing a double play to leave the bases empty with two outs in the extra frame, Warthogs starting pitcher Michael Dubee walked Steve Deotsch on four pitches. Next, Michael Martinez reached on an infield single, which moved Deotsch to second base and setup the dramatic finish.

Dubee and Nationals starter Cory VanAllen squared off in a pitcher's duel while keeping the game scoreless for the first seven frames. VanAllen finished with seven shutout innings while holding Winston-Salem to one hit with four strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision. Potomac reliever Adam Carr (2-2) worked a scoreless eighth to collect the win.

Dubee (2-1) was stellar, but took the loss after allowing the game's lone run. He tossed 7 2/3 innings, while limiting Potomac to six hits with six strikeouts. The Warthogs offensive woes continued as they were limited to just 2 hits in the contest.

The Warthogs conclude their six-game road trip with the series finale against Potomac on Wednesday evening. Winston-Salem will send RHP John Ely (0-2, 2.88) to the mound and Potomac will counter with RHP Jordan Zimmerman (2-1, 2.21). First pitch at Pfitzner Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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Carolina League Stories from April 29, 2008


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