Keys nip Dash despite Stephens' strong start

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 6, 2016) - Despite allowing just one run for the second straight night, the Dash dropped another 1-0 contest to the Frederick Keys on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark.

Frederick (19-22, 55-56) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth on an unearned run against Dash starter Jordan Stephens (5-8). D.J. Stewart led off the frame with a single and, with Cam Kneeland at the plate, advanced to second on a passed ball by Zack Collins. After advancing to third on a flyout by Kneeland, Stewart scored on a wild pitch to put the Keys up 1-0.

In a tough-luck loss, Stephens went six innings, allowing just three hits and that unearned run. The righty also struck out six batters, upping his Carolina League-leading total to 117 punchouts. So far this homestand, Dash starters have allowed just two earned runs in 19.2 innings (0.92 ERA).

Making his fourth start against Winston-Salem, left-hander Mitch Horacek (5-10) tied a season-high with nine strikeouts in six shutout innings. Ryan Meisinger relieved Horacek and hurled two perfect frames of middle relief. Jeff Beliveau picked his second save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Trailing 1-0, the Dash (19-24, 47-66) strung together their best threat of the night in the sixth. Landon Lassiter led off the frame with a walk, and Gerson Montilla followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Horacek buckled down though, striking out Mason Robbins and Nick Basto before inducing an inning-ending groundout from Collins.

Winston-Salem's offense has been held scoreless in 16 consecutive innings dating back to a two-run, go-ahead seventh on Thursday against the Keys, which was the Dash's lone win in the series.

Like Stephens, the bullpen dazzled on Saturday. Drew Hasler relieved Stephens and spun a scoreless seventh. The righty has not allowed a run in 11 innings at BB&T Ballpark. Ryan Riga and Euclides Leyer threw a scoreless frame in the eighth and ninth, respectively.

Winston-Salem rounds out its first series of the homestand on Sunday at 5 p.m. The Dash send right-hander Zach Thompson (2-2, 6.33 ERA) to the bump against Keys righty Franderlin Romero (4-4, 6.31 ERA), against whom the Dash hit back-to-back-to-back home runs on July 27.  Fans can catch the game either on My 48 (WMYV-TV) in Winston-Salem or online at wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv or the TuneIn App.

The Dash's series finale against Frederick is a Lowes Foods Family Sunday, during which fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and sodas through the first inning and pregame autographs on the concourse. Following a league-wide off-day on Monday, the Dash will play a three-game series against the Carolina Mudcats from Tuesday to Thursday. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.