CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Outlast Keys 6-5 in 10

Published on May 21, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Frederick, MD- It took ten innings and a pair of blown saves to get the job done, but the Potomac Nationals (23-21, 9-11) staked a victorious claim over the Frederick Keys (22-21, 10-11) on Tuesday evening at Harry Grove Stadium by taking the series opener with a run-scoring double-play ball cut by SS Jason Martinson. The Nationals won by the final score of 6-5 amidst a see-saw affair that featured back-and-forth action late.

Potomac LHP Sammy Solis, who did not factor into the decision, made his triumphant return to the pitcher's mound for the first time since the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2012, and slung 2.0 innings allowing just two unearned runs on three hits while walking one and fanning one.

Nationals RHP David Fischer was solid in long relief of Solis tossing 3.2 innings and surrendering just one earned run on three base hits amidst a pair of walks and two strikeouts.

Off Frederick RHP Tyler Wilson, who like Solis did not receive a decision, the Nationals scored three runs in the 1st inning courtesy of a an RBI single served into center field off the stick of Martinson, an errant throw on a Martinson steal attempt gunned by C Zane Chavez allowing CF Michael Taylor, who deadened a bunt single to get aboard, to score, as well as an RBI one-base knock through the middle of the infield cranked by 1B Kevin Keyes.

The Keys answered immediately with one run in their half of the 1st frame as 1B Christian Walker blooped an RBI single into right field to make it a 3-1 game in favor of Potomac. Walker had a huge night at the plate going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and one walked.

Potomac padded their lead with one run in the 2nd inning via a Taylor double blasted off the left field wall that scored 2B Adrian Sanchez, who led off the inning with a two-base knock down the right field chalk.

The Keys added one run in the 3rd when 3B Nick Delmonico bashed an RBI groundout to second base scoring 2B Jerome Pena, who led off with a walk that chased Solis from the contest.

Frederick plated individual runs in the 6th and 7th stanzas to tie the game at 4-4 courtesy of an RBI single lined into right field by RF Delvi Cid which summoned home LF John Ruettiger, who walked, and a solo homer from Delmonico yanked over two tiers of signage in right field, his fifth bomb of the season, off Nationals RHP Cameron Selik (BS 1) in his 2013 P-Nats debut coming off an injury-plagued 2012 campaign.

The Nationals fired back as 3B Cutter Dykstra belted his second dinger of the season off RHP Gene Escat (1-4), the eventual losing pitcher. Dykstra's drive was a solo shot out to left center to lead off the 8th inning and give Potomac a 5-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the 9th after retiring the first two batters, Delmonico singled to right field off Potomac RHP Derek Self (BS 4) (3-2), the winning pitcher, before dealing a wild pitch to put pinch-runner Travis Adair at second base. Self then surrendered a bloop RBI single fisted to center field off the lumber of Walker muscled passed the outstretched glove of Martinson and into left center field to tie the game at 5-5.

In the top of the 10th, Escat drilled DH Francisco Soriano in the batting helmet with a fastball. After Soriano dropped immediately he got to a knee shortly after lying motionless for a few moments and left the field under his own power. Soriano was replaced by pinch-runner, Randolph Oduber who would go on to score the run that would stand as the game winner. Taylor drew a walk from Escat and RHP David Walters entered the game drilled Dykstra in the forearm to load the bases. Martinson would then wrap a 4-3 double-play ball to 2B Jerome Pena to produce the go-ahead run giving the Nationals a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.

P-Nats RHP Richie Mirowski (SV 3) pitched a perfect 10th frame getting Chavez to fly out to center field, CF Brenden Webb to strike out swinging, and Ruettiger to sky out to LF Caleb Ramsey to seal the comeback victory.

The Nationals are now (3-2) against the Frederick Keys in 2013, and Potomac owns a (4-3) record in extra inning play.

Game Two from Harry Grove Stadium features a 7:00pm first pitch and will pit Potomac RHP A.J. Cole (1-1, 4 .50) against LHP Tim Berry (2-2, 3.50).

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming with the P-Nats Baseball Lead-Off Pre-Game Show at 6:45PM before the live play-by-play at 7:00pm. Broadcast coverage is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com .

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. P-Nats 2013 season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. Sponsorship opportunities for the '13 season are now available. Plan your corporate outing now in preparation for the summer months as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

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