Barnum, Dash fall short of sweep over Salem

First baseman lashes four hits in nail-biting 2-1 loss on Thursday

By Dave Polaski

August 21, 2014

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 21, 2014) - Keon Barnum tied a career high with four hits, but Winston-Salem dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to the Salem Red Sox on Thursday night in front of 4,603 fans at BB&T Ballpark.

The Dash (28-31, 58-70) fell just short in their chance to earn a series sweep and move into a tie with Salem for the final Southern Division playoff spot. The Red Sox now lead Winston-Salem by two games. The Dash have 11 games to play, while Salem has 13 remaining.

Trailing 2-0, the Dash got on the board against Salem starter Simon Mercedes (4-9) in the bottom of the sixth. Hawkins singled to center but exited the game after reaching first. Pinch-runner Keenyn Walker stole second base and raced home on Barnum's single to right field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Barnum recorded four hits in a game for the third time this season. He also accomplished the feat on June 23 at Lynchburg and on June 30 against Carolina.

Mercedes tossed six and one-third strong innings for the Red Sox, allowing one run and four hits. Red Sox reliever Kyle Martin did not allow a run over the final two and two-thirds to earn his tenth save of the season.

Salem (28-27, 61-62) broke through against Dash starter Tyler Danish (5-3) in the third inning. Dreily Guerrero tripled and scored on an infield single by Matty Johnson, giving the visitors from the Roanoke Valley a 1-0 lead.

The Red Sox struck again in the sixth. Johnson led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Carlos Asuaje singled, and the ball skipped past Courtney Hawkins in left field, allowing Johnson to come home for a 2-0 advantage.

Danish suffered a loss for the first time since July 18. The 19-year-old pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four. Brad Goldberg and Raul Fernandez combined for three and a third innings of scoreless relief for the Dash.

The Dash will continue the homestand on Friday night by opening a four-game series against the Carolina Mudcats. Winston-Salem will send right-hander J.B. Wendelken (6-9, 4.83 ERA) to the mound, while Carolina counters with righty Mike Clevinger (0-0, 4.50 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Friday includes a special postgame fireworks show, presented by WilcoHess. For tickets, visit wsdash.com or call (336) 714-2287. This marks the final fireworks show of the season for the Dash.

If you can't make it to BB&T Ballpark, you can follow all the action at wsdash.com/broadcast, beginning with the Pregame Dash at 6:45.