Game #116 Preview — Dash at Potomac
Game #116 — Road Game #56
Winston-Salem Dash (29–16, 59–56) at Potomac Nationals (19–25, 52–62)
Wednesday, August 12–7:05 p.m.
Pfitzner Stadium (Woodbridge, Va.)
GAME BACKGROUND:
Both Winston-Salem and Potomac claimed a victory during Tuesday’s makeshift doubleheader at Pfitzner Stadium. The Nationals rallied for an 8–5 victory in the continuation of the suspended contest from July 13 at BB&T Ballpark. However, the Dash did rebound in the seven-inning finale for a 1–0 win. The series continues Wednesday from Pfitzner Stadium.
STARTING LINEUP:
Adam Engel — CF
Eddy Alvarez — SS
Jake Peter — 2B
Trey Michalczewski — 3B
Keon Barnum — 1B
Nick Basto — LF
Omar Narvaez — C
T.J. Williams — DH
Nolan Earley — RF
Yency Almonte — RHP
DASH DOTS:
- Even though Potomac clinched the 8–5 win on Tuesday, the game is recorded as if everything happened on July 13 when the contest began. Thus, the Dash’s win streak is intact, and the 1–0 victory in the finale pushed it to five. Winston-Salem has outscored its opposition 20–6 during these five contests. The Dash are one triumph shy of their longest winning streak of 2015. Winston won six in a row from July 26–31.
- Not only has Winston-Salem permitted just six runs in its last five games, but Dash hurlers have limited their opponents to a .193 average (28-for-145).
- The Dash’s 3.27 team earned run average trails only Myrtle Beach (3.02) on the eight-team circuit. In the second half, Winston’s staff boasts a 2.70 ERA, which is 0.92 lower than its mark in half one (3.62).
- In the bullpen, Winston-Salem has taken care of business. Brad Goldberg pushed the Dash’s successful save conversion streak to 15, which dates back to July 1. The bullpen has cashed in on 24 of its last 25 save chances (32-for-40 overall this year).
- Andre Wheeler (4 IP), Jake Cose (2 IP) and Goldberg (1 IP) combined for the Dash’s league-leading 12th shutout. The Dash now lead Salem and Potomac by one blanking for the CL’s top spot, while Winston trails only FSL clubs Palm Beach (17) and Charlotte (17) in all of High-A.
- On June 30, Dash first baseman Keon Barnum was hitting just .235 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 44 games. Since then, Barnum has been one of the most productive hitters in Minor League Baseball. Barnum’s 38 RBIs since July 1 lead all Minor League hitters, while he is a .269 hitter with four home runs and 12 runs scored. This surge has propelled Barnum into a share of fourth place in the CL in RBIs (61). Teammate Trey Michalczewski is third with 63.
- Barnum and Michalczewski have enjoyed many RBI chances thanks to the work of the men hitting above them. Within the CL, Adam Engel is first in runs (77) and second in hits (114), while Jake Peter is fourth in runs (68) and third in hits (112). Since joining Winston-Salem in late July, no CL hitter has a better average than Eddy Alvarez (.393). Engel (52) and Alvarez (49) are also fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Minor Leagues in stolen bases.
- The White Sox blanked the Angels on Tuesday thanks to a career-high 11 whiffs from Carlos Rodon and the first MLB home run from Trayce Thompson, both of whom are Dash alumni.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Wednesday’s game will be available on wsdash.com/broadcast, along with the TuneIn Radio app. The Pregame Dash will begin at 6:50 p.m., with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
– Brian
