Walk this Way: P-Nats Beat Mudcats 6-5

Down 6-5 against Carolina closer Jose Flores who has gone seven-for-seven in save attempts this year, the P-Nats got a lead off walk from Ricky Hague. Walters drew a walk as well to put runners at first and second with one out. Michael Taylor hit a soft single into shallow left center that easily scored Hague to tie the ballgame 5-5. The throw home from Anthony Gallas ended up wide of the plate and allowed Walters to advance to third with one out on the error. That would be important as on a 2-2 pitch Keyes hit a fly ball to medium centerfield that scored Walters and ended the contest with the Nationals winning 6-5.

The win is the third time in the last four contests Potomac has won in walk-off fashion. It's the third time the Nationals have been able to erase a last inning deficit in the stretch of three walk-off wins in four days.

Cameron Selik (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth striking out two picked up the win for Potomac. Flores (0-1) took his first loss of the year as well as blew his first save in eight chances. The second and winning run against Flores was unearned.

The P-Nats took an early lead in the first inning off of LHP Francisco Jimenez who made the start for the Mudcats. Francisco Soriano singled and stole second with one out. David Freitas laced a single to center field with two outs that scored Soriano and Potomac led 1-0.

Carolina opened their scoring against Potomac spot starter RHP Trevor Holder. The Mudcats scored their first run with Justin Toole just beating a Ricky Hague throw home with a hook slide around the catcher Freitas to tie the contest 1-1. They aded two runs on a single by Jesus Aguliar and another on a Jeremie Tice double that chased Holder to extend the lead to 4-1 in favor of Carolina. Finally, Ronny Rodriguez hit a double off of Paul Applebee to open the lead to 5-1. Holder finished the contest yielding five runs in two and a third.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Nationals added two runs to decrease the Mudcats lead to 5-3. Freitas and Zach Walters both hit one-out RBI singles. Potomac added a run in the fourth on a Francisco Soriano ground out scoring Randolph Oduber to cut the Mudcats lead to 5-4. Jimenez, who beat the P-Nats less than a week ago in Zebulon, gave up four earned runs over five innings.

Both bullpens took over from there. Applebee was outstanding sporting a new pitching motion tossing three and two-thirds scoreless innings with just one hit. The Nationals got a great outing from Rob Wort who struck out three in two clean frames. Wort has now struck out three or more batters in six straight outings. Carolina got two scoreless and hitless frames from their reliever Kyle Petter.

Potomac did have a threat in the eighth as they loaded the bases with no out but could not score against reliever Trey Haley.

Tomorrow the Nationals and Mudcats finish their series with a Sunday afternoon contest at the Pfitz starting at 1:05 PM. LHP Ryan Demmin (0-1, 4.67) will make his second start for the Nationals. For tickets, call us at 703-590-2311.

• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Tweet

Carolina League Stories from May 19, 2012

• Late Fly Drops Mudcats - Carolina Mudcats
• Dash Hit Their Way to Series Win - Winston-Salem Dash
• Walk this Way: P-Nats Beat Mudcats 6-5 - Potomac Nationals
• Tepesch and Reyes Combine for No-Hitter - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Hillcats Lose Four Straight for the First Time this Season - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Tepesch and Reyes Combine to No Hit Rocks - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Wilmington Blue Rocks 2012 Transactions - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Keys Shut Out Salem 1-0 - Frederick Keys
• Frederick Takes 1-0 Pitchers' Duel from Salem - Salem Red Sox
• Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.