Dash fall short of perfect homestand in finale

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 6, 2017) - Winston-Salem narrowly missed out on clinching its first perfect multi-series homestand since 2012 as the Potomac Nationals rallied for one in the eighth to tie and one in the 10th to win 4-3 in Sunday's finale at BB&T Ballpark.
With Winston-Salem (22-21, 46-67) leading 3-2 with two outs in the top of the eighth, Taylor Gushue drew a seven-pitch walk against Dash right-hander Mick VanVossen. Austin Davidson followed with a run-scoring double off the right-center field wall to knot the contest at three.

VanVossen recovered to toss a scoreless ninth, but Potomac (17-25, 50-62) went ahead in the 10th against reliever Ian Hamilton (2-3). After the Dash righty recorded two quick outs, Ian Sagdal grounded a double down the right field line. On the next pitch, Gushue ripped an RBI single to right to put the Nationals ahead 4-3. 
Winston-Salem went down in order in the 10th against Gilberto Mendez (3-2), who picked up his third win of the year by going 1.2 perfect frames.
Despite the Dash's season-best six-game win streak coming to an end, Winston-Salem posted an impressive 6-1 mark during the team's seven-day stretch at home. During this span, the Dash outscored the Red Sox and Nationals, their two opponents, by a count of 42-15.
The Nationals took their first lead of the series against Dane Dunning in the second inning when David Masters smacked a two-run homer over the left field fence. Dunning was otherwise strong in his first outing against his former organization, registering his third consecutive quality start.
Acquired by the White Sox as part of a trade with Washington in the offseason for big leaguer Adam Eaton , Dunning tossed six innings, allowing six hits and two runs while walking one and striking out six. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA (three earned runs in 20 innings pitched) over his last three starts. 
Facing their first deficit since the fourth inning on Wednesday against Salem, the Dash offense went to work in the third. On the second pitch of the frame, Joel Booker drilled his first High-A homer against P-Nats starter Austen Williams onto the Nature's Select Knoll in left to cut the deficit to one. 
Two innings later, Eloy Jiménez helped Winston-Salem tie the game. After Zack Collins walked with one out, Jimenez ripped a run-scoring double off the wall in left-center, giving him 19 RBIs in 22 games with Winston-Salem.
In the sixth, the Dash took a short-lived lead. Brady Conlan singled to begin the frame against reliever Jorge Pantoja before being erased on a Yeyson Yrizarri fielder's choice.
After a balk by Pantoja, Sam Dexter smoked a single through the left side to put runners on the corners for Luis Basabe. On a 1-1 count, Basabe grounded an RBI single under the glove of first baseman Ian Sagdal, scoring Yrizarri to put the Dash ahead 3-2. 
Following a league-wide off day on Monday, the Dash begin a three-game series on Tuesday against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field. Winston-Salem will send right-hander Jimmy Lambert  (3-2, 4.50 ERA), who struck out a career-high nine batters last Tuesday against Salem, to the bump against Frederick righty Cody Sedlock (4-4, 6.03 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
Following this short road trip, #YourHomeTeam continues its stretch of 21 home contests in 27 games with an eight-game homestand at BB&T Ballpark. Starting on Friday, the Dash will square off against the Lynchburg Hillcats over the weekend, followed by a five-game, four-day stretch against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans that includes a doubleheader on Tuesday, August 15.
The promotional schedule for the upcoming homestand includes our final All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night on August 14, another Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday and Family Sunday, Pups in the Park and much more. Also, for Winston-Salem's doubleheader against the Pelicans, the Dash will pay homage to their previous moniker once more this season, donning throwback Warthogs uniforms for game one before changing back to the Dash for the twin bill finale. 
As a thank you to the fans, the Dash are offering $7 tickets to Tuesday's doubleheader as part of the team's Fan Appreciation efforts. These tickets must be purchased in advance and will be good for both games of the twin bill. For more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.