Potomac 5, Winston-Salem 2
W: Erick Fedde (3-3)
L: Thad Lowry (3-4)
S: RC Orlan (6)
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (May 28, 2016) – Toby Thomas launched a two-run homer against big league rehabber Matt Belisle, but an early surge propelled Potomac past Winston-Salem 5-2 on Saturday night at Pfitzner Stadium.
Thomas’ blast snapped a 20-inning scoreless drought for Winston-Salem (17-33), who did threaten to creep closer in both the eighth and ninth innings. The Dash pushed men to second and third with one down in the eighth, but Belisle escaped with consecutive strikeouts. In the ninth, Winston sent the tying run to the plate, but RC Orlan retired Cleuluis Rondon to clinch his sixth save.
Potomac (26-20) was able to produce offensively in its first meeting with Thad Lowry (3-4), who only lasted four innings. Alec Keller’s RBI single in the second sparked the P-Nats’ scoring.
After a double play pushed home a run in the third, Potomac seized control in the fourth. With two on and one down, utilityman David Masters, who hit a grand slam against the Dash earlier in the month, singled home a run, and Narciso Mesa followed with a two-run triple to right-center.
The bottom four hitters in the Nationals’ lineup scored all five runs and collected all four Potomac RBIs. Eight of the P-Nats’ nine starters reached at least once.
Lowry surrendered all five of these runs on seven hits in his shortest start of the season. He had won his previous two starts. His counterpart, former first-round pick Erick Fedde (3-3), blanked the Dash over six innings, stretching his scoreless streak to 11 frames.
The Dash’s bullpen logged four shutout innings. Kelvis Valerio stranded a man in both the fifth and sixth innings before Andre Wheeler whiffed three and only faced one more than the minimum in his two frames.
Winston-Salem has lost five consecutive games for the third time this season. The Dash have not dropped more than five straight since a seven-game skid in late August of 2014.
This Memorial Day Weekend series continues Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. matinee from Pfitzner Stadium. Jordan Stephens (0-6, 5.31 ERA), who is in search of his first professional victory, will take to the hill for Winston-Salem against fellow right-hander Boone Whiting (5-1, 3.45 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 12:50 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
#YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday, June 1, for a seven-game homestand against the Carolina Mudcats (Atlanta Braves) and Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals). The fun includes a postgame fireworks show, presented by AT&T, on Friday, June 3, and an All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night on Tuesday, June 7. Call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com for tickets.
