CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Marrero Homers in Twin Bill Split with Salem

Published on June 9, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WOODBRIDGE, VA) - The Potomac Nationals split a doubleheader with the Salem Red Sox on Saturday night in front of 4,881 at the Pfitz. The Nationals lost game one and took the second game 6-1 powered by a two-run homer from rehabber Chris Marrero.

Playing in both games of the doubleheader, Washington 1B Chris Marrero went 2-for-6 with a homer and double.

Game 1: Salem 3, Potomac 0

Potomac was shutout for the eighth time this season as starter Matt Barnes tossed the first complete game shutout of the season in the Carolina League. Barnes (4-1) went the distance yielding five hits and three walks with five strikeouts. He lowered his Carolina League ERA to 1.32.

Marrero was 1-for-3 in the first contest with Salem. He doubled in his first at bat before lining out to right and flying out to center in his final two at bats.

Salem scored first for the third straight game with two runs in the second inning. With one out, Xander Bogaerts walked and advanced to second base on a single by Michael Almanzar. Christian Vasquez then doubled off the wall in right center field to score Bogaerts and Almanzar to give Salem a 2-0 lead.

Travis Shaw extended the Sox lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning with a solo home run, his eighth of the season.

The P-Nats had a chance in the seventh inning but with the bases loaded and two outs, Adrian Sanchez grounded out to third base.

Nathan Karns (0-2) made his first home start with the P-Nats and second overall. He took the loss allowing two earned runs over four and two-thirds.

Game 2: Potomac 6, Salem 1

Matt Grace tossed his first career complete game as the P-Nats beat the Sox 6-1 in the second contest.

Shaw hit his second home run of the night in the first inning off of Grace to put the Sox up 1-0 after a half an inning.

Marrero gave Potomac their first lead of the doubleheader crushing a two-run home run over the left field wall to make it 2-1 P-Nats.

The Nationals added three more runs in the second inning without a ball leaving the infield. Michael Taylor walked to start the frame and moved up to second when J.P. Ramirez reached on an error. Brent Greer followed by dropping down a bunt and reaching on an infield single to load the bases. Taylor then came into score on a wild pitch by Manny Rivera to extend the lead to 3-1. Two batters later Francisco Soriano dropped down a bunt that Travis Shaw fielded and tossed over the head of the catcher wand two runs came across to give Potomac a 5-1 lead.

Justin Bloxom pushed the lead to 6-1 in the sixth inning as he connected for his 11th home run of the season which now is tied for the most in the Carolina League.

Rivera (3-3) made his fourth start and twelfth appearance of the year for the Sox. He lasted just three innings taking the loss allowing five runs, three of them earned, on three hits and three walks

Grace (3-6) picked up the win for the P-Nats tossing just 92 pitches in the complete game -- his first of his career in his 39th start. He struck out four batters, walked just one and didn't allow a base runner to second until the seventh inning not including the homer by Shaw.

The P-Nats play their final home game of the first half tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM. Trevor Holder (3-1, 4.42) takes the mound for Potomac and Brandon Workman (3-3, 3.55) starts for Salem. The Potomac Nationals are celebrating their 35th Anniversary of professional baseball and family fun, for all your ticket needs please call the box office at 703-590-2311 or visit www.potomacnationals.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 9, 2012


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