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 Potomac Nationals

Heisler Homer Buries Nationals in 4-1 Winston-Salem Win

July 10, 2013 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Winston-Salem, NC- The Potomac Nationals (53-34, 11-7) were upended by the Winston-Salem Dash (48-42, 10-10) in Game Three at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon as the result of a 6th inning three-run home run off the bat of CF Adam Heisler. The Dash garnered a 4-1 lead on that four-bagger that they would not relinquish to take the contest by that score and leap ahead in the four-game series two wins to one.

Potomac RHP A.J. Cole was solid through 3.0 innings in which he allowed just two base hits, a single in the 1st inning to SS Joey DeMichele and a leadoff double in the 3rd stanza to LF Grant Buckner. Cole fanned one and walked none.

The short outing yielding no decision was due to Cole's plans to pitch in the 2013 Sirius/XM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday against top prospects in Minor League Baseball at Citi Field.

Piggybacking Nationals RHP Brian Dupra (0-3), the losing pitcher of record, went 2.1 innings and surrendered three earned runs on three hits while tying the single outing high for most walks among all P-Nats pitchers this season with five base-on-balls issued.

Dupra surrendered the first run of the game in the 4th frame. SS Chris Curley bounced an infield single behind the pitcher's mound, C Kevan Smith walked, and 1B Rangel Ravelo grounded into a force out at second base moving Curley to third base. Then, Dupra walked DH Jeremy Farrell to load the bases and issued a free pass to RF Josh Richmond to garner the Dash one run. Richmond was credited with an RBI walk.

Winston-Salem RHP Chris Bassitt pitched well as he allowed just one earned run on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts to his line. Bassitt, like Cole, did not receive a decision.

The Nationals broke through to tie the game in the 6th. LF Caleb Ramsey stroked a single into center field leading off and advanced to second base on a groundout from DH Adrian Nieto. With two outs, 2B Cutter Dykstra laced a clutch RBI single into left field to summon home Ramsey and tie the contest at 1-1. Potomac then loaded the bases against Dash LHP Jarrett Casey (2-3), the winning pitcher, as SS Adrian Sanchez knocked an infield single to the third base bag and C Cole Leonida walked. RF Randolph Oduber flew out to center field to strand the bases and end the go-ahead threat.

Potomac stranded a total of 10 baserunners in the ballgame and went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Ironically, Winston-Salem also swung at a 1-for-9 clip with runners in position to score.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the 6th, Dupra walked Richmond and gave up a single sprayed to the gap in right center by Buckner. Nationals RHP Colin Bates took over and worked Heisler to a 1-2 count. Then a hanging fastball up and in was bashed over the right field fence for Heisler's second home run of the season. The three-run blast gave Winston-Salem the 4-1 lead they would need to close out the proceedings.

Casey tossed a scoreless 7th inning and then gave the ball to RHP Brandon Hardin (SV 2) who earned a two-inning save. Hardin allowed a pair of base hits, a Kevin Keyes double stranded in the 8th, and an infield single from CF Billy Burns that lead to a game-ending groundout off the bat of 3B Mike Gilmartin in the 9th.

Potomac looks to salvage their set against Winston-Salem with a victory in the Game Four finale on Thursday night to get out of town with a series split. First pitch is set for 7:00pm.

The Nationals will bring RHP Blake Schwartz (6-3, 2.92) to the mound to oppose Dash RHP Chris Beck (8-8, 3.08) in the final standoff of this series.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming Thursday evening with the P-Nats Lead-Off Show at 6:45pm in preparation for the live play-by-play broadcast beginning at 7:00pm. Broadcast coverage of Potomac Nationals Baseball 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 to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz 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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