Dash's record win streak ends in home finale

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 30, 2013) - The Winston-Salem Dash saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end Friday night in a 5-3 loss to the Potomac Nationals in front of a crowd of 6,342 fans in the final Dash game in the Triad this season. The game was played at Amanda Johnson Ballpark through the BB&T Ballpark Fantasy Fan Sweepstakes.

With the contest tied 3-3 in the eighth, Michael Taylor used his speed to put the Nationals (41-26, 83-53) in front for good against Winston reliever Joseph Dvorsky (2-4). Taylor beat out in an infield single to start the frame, and he then stole both second and third before touching home on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Keyes.

The P-Nats added an insurance run in the ninth against reliever Max Peterson. Francisco Soriano notched a run-producing single to push the margin to two at 5-3.

After Colin Bates (5-4) threw scoreless seventh and eighth innings in relief of starter Blake Schwartz, Nationals closer Robert Benincasa came on for the ninth. The righty allowed a lead-off single to Grant Buckner but retired the Dash (32-35, 70-67) in order after that to collect his league-leading 16th save.

Potomac wasted little time in getting to Dash starter Mike Recchia, scoring a pair in the first. Adrian Nieto opened the scoring for the Nationals with an RBI single, and Keyes followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

The Dash had an answer in the bottom of the first against Schwartz. Joey DeMichele started the frame with a triple and came home when Chris Curley collected a run-producing single.

Winston-Salem tied it in the third inning. The Dash collected three singles against Schwartz before a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Curley leveled the score.

With two out in the fifth, Winston took advantage of a Potomac error to take the lead. Kevan Smith hit a ground ball to third, where it was bobbled by Justin Miller. This allowed Jeremy Farrell to touch home and put the Dash in front for the first time.

The P-Nats did not let the lead last long. The first two reached against Recchia in the sixth, and a few batters later Miller atoned for his error with a sacrifice fly.

Winston-Salem wraps up the 2013 season with a three-game trip to Wilmington to take on the Blue Rocks this weekend. Game one of the series is scheduled for Saturday evening at Frawley Stadium. The Dash will send right-hander Jake Cose (7-4, 3.79 ERA) to the hill, while the Blue Rocks will counter with southpaw Tripp Davis (0-1, 3.86 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, and pregame coverage will begin at 5:50 on wsdash.com/broadcast.