Winston-Salem suffers historic home sweep

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 25, 2014) - Winston-Salem was swept in a four-game series at home for the first time in the Dash era, falling 6-5 against the Carolina Mudcats at BB&T Ballpark on Monday night.

The last time the franchise lost all four games in a home series was in August 25-28, 2006, when Salem swept the Warthogs at Ernie Shore Field.

Monday's setback also meant that the Dash went 34-35 at home in 2014, the first losing record in BB&T Ballpark's five-year history. The last time Winston-Salem had more losses than wins within its home ballpark was in 2007, when the Warthogs went 32-37.

Carolina (31-31, 60-69) took the lead for good in the top of the 12th. Yhoxian Medina and Yandy Diaz singled against Dash reliever Zach Isler (1-8), setting up runners at the corners. Jerrud Sabourin came through with a base hit up the middle to put the Mudcats up 6-5.

Winston-Salem (28-35, 58-73) had one last chance in the bottom of the 12th. Trey Michalczewski had an infield single against Carolina reliever Grant Sides, but the right-hander was able to shut the door for his sixth save of the season. Right-hander Benny Suarez (2-3) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Dash drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning. Zach Voight and Adam Engel singled to lead off the inning against Carolina starter Dylan Baker. Jake Peter's base-hit brought Voight home as the first run of the ballgame. Later in the frame, Omar Narvaez singled to plate Engel for a 2-0 lead.

The home team added to the margin in the fourth. Nick Basto and C.J. Beatty delivered back-to-back singles. A wild pitch by Baker moved the runners to second and third. Voight's grounder to shortstop resulted in a throwing error by Medina, scoring both runners for a 4-0 advantage.

Carolina got on the board in the fifth inning against Dash starter Brandon Brennan. Yandy Diaz singled and came home on Jerrud Sabourin's double to center field. Sabourin scored on a Torsten Boss single to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Mudcats grabbed the lead in the sixth. Logan Vick walked, Medina singled and Diaz walked to load the bases against Winston-Salem reliever Adam Lopez. Sabourin's RBI groundout made it a 4-3 game. A wild pitch by Lopez chased Medina home to tie the contest.

With Jose Bautista summoned from the bullpen, Luigi Rodriguez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home the go-ahead run to give Carolina a 5-4 edge.

Winston-Salem battled back in the eighth inning. Narvaez doubled to lead off the frame against Mudcats' reliever Clayton Cook. Basto's sacrifice bunt pushed Narvaez over to third. Beatty came through with a sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Narvaez to tie the tilt at 5-5.

The Dash hit the road for the final seven games of the regular season, starting in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday. Winston will send right-hander Tyler Danish (5-3, 2.64 ERA) to the mound in the opener of the four-game series, while the Pelicans counter with lefty Luis Parra (10-6, 4.71 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

You can follow all the action live on wsdash.com/broadcast, beginning with the Pregame Dash at 6:50.