Potomac 5, Winston-Salem 1
W: Erick Fedde (4-3)
L: Kelvis Valerio (1-3)
S: None
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (June 27, 2016) – Right-hander Zack Burdi, one of the White Sox two first-round picks this month, tossed a scoreless inning, but four Potomac pitchers held Winston-Salem’s offense to just a Telvin Nash solo shot in a 5-1 Nationals win on Monday at Pfitzner Stadium.
Burdi collected his first High-A strikeout against leadoff hitter Jose Marmolejos before inducing a groundout off the bat of Raudy Read. Alec Keller mustered a two-out double, but he was caught stealing to end Burdi’s second appearance with Winston-Salem.
However, Potomac (4-0, 38-34) received great pitching all night long en route to its fourth straight win to begin the half. Big league rehabber Jonathan Papelbon, who is working back from a right intercostal strain, needed just 10 pitches to work a flawless first frame.
Marmolejos delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Winston-Salem (3-2, 31-44) immediately evened the tilt with Nash’s aforementioned homer down the right field line. Nash has gone deep twice in his first five games with the Dash.
That proved to be the only blemish from Erick Fedde (4-3), who replaced Papelbon and recorded five innings en route to the win. Fedde, a former first-round pick, has only given up two runs in his last 20 innings spanning four outings.
Dash starter Kelvis Valerio (1-3) tossed six innings, but Potomac posted a pair of two-run frames to seize momentum for good. An error and a single set up Drew Vettleson in the fourth, and he responded with a two-run double to make it 3-1.
Two frames later, Read led off with a double and scored on a home run from Keller, his second of the year. In all, Valerio gave up five runs (four earned) after Winston-Salem starters had permitted just six earned runs in its previous 10 outings spanning 66.1 frames.
Winston-Salem threatened in multiple innings, but the offense went 0-for-7 with men in scoring position. Toby Thomas did notch a pair of extra-base hits, while Marcus Davis went 2-for-4.
This three-game series continues on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. from Pfitzner Stadium. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Jordan Stephens (3-7, 3.86 ERA) to the bump against southpaw Matthew Crownover (0-2, 5.85 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Monday for a Fourth of July extravaganza. The Dash and the City of Winston-Salem are teaming up for an afternoon and evening of fun that begins at 4 p.m. and continues through the extended Independence Day Fireworks show after the Dash’s 7 p.m. game. For tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
