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 Potomac Nationals

Kopech Leads Red Sox to 9-1 Runaway Win over Potomac

August 24, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA--A night after ending a 10-game win streak for the Salem Red Sox (79-48, 35-23), the Potomac Nationals (68-59, 34-25) fell victim to three separate three-run innings in route to a 9-1 defeat. Salem took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning, as RHP Michael Kopech (W, 4-1) faced just two over the minimum over seven one-hit innings. Kopech struck out 10, his third straight start with at least 10 strikeouts.

Opposite Kopech, RHP Austen Williams (L, 4-5) had five great innings, but struggled in the first frame and once again in the fourth. CF Joseph Monge led off the game with a single and LF Bryan Hudson followed with a walk. Williams retired the next two Salem hitters, but a two-out RBI single by DH Michael Chavis put Salem on top 1-0, while RF Jayce Ray followed with a two-run single, as the Red Sox led 3-0 after half an inning.

Just one Potomac hitter reached base over the first three innings, as DH Austin Davidson walked with one out in the first. 2B Max Schrock had Potomac's lone hit against Kopech, as Schrock reached on a weakly hit ground ball to 3B Rafael Devers, but was immediately erased on a double play groundout by C Raudy Read. Potomac's third and final base runner against Kopech came in the form of a leadoff walk drawn by 1B Matt Page in the sixth. Potomac did not advance a runner past first base until the eighth inning.

The Red Sox broke the game open with three runs in the fourth inning. Chavis led off the inning with a walk and scored on an RBI double by C Jordan Procyshen, though the Salem catcher was thrown out trying to advance to third base. 2B Jose Sermo followed with a solo home run, which made it 5-0 Salem. SS Deiner Lopez singled, stole second base, and then scored on an RBI single by Monge. Salem led 6-0 after four innings. Williams allowed six earned runs on eight hits over seven innings and has now given up 12 earned runs over 11.1 innings vs. Salem.

In relief of Williams, LHP Justin Thomas gave up three two-out runs in the eighth inning. 1B Nick Longi singled and went to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Ray plated Longhi with his second RBI single of the night, and Procyshen's second RBI double of the night scored Ray and made it 8-0. Sermo reached on an infield single to 3B Bryan Mejia, but the Potomac third baseman's throw to first sailed over Page, which allowed Procyshen to score. Thomas was charged with two earned runs in an inning of work. RHP Mario Sanchez worked a perfect ninth inning out of the Potomac bullpen.

After Kopech cruised through seven innings, Potomac got its first runner into scoring position in the eighth. SS Osvaldo Abreu started the eighth inning with a walk against RHP Simon Mercedes, took second base on a passed ball, and moved to third base on a groundout. Page then grounded out to Mercedes, and CF Dale Carey grounded out to end the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Mejia led off with a solo home run, but Mercedes retired the next three hitters and leveled the series at a game apiece.

Potomac managed just two hits in the loss, a season low. It was the first career outing of more than six innings for Kopech, who is 4-0 in his last five starts. Wednesday night was the second start for Williams in which he gave up six earned runs to the Red Sox. The win for Salem evened up the season series at 7-7.

One game behind the Lynchburg Hillcats and 5.5 games ahead of the Frederick Keys in the Northern Division with 11 games to play, the P-Nats are set to host the Red Sox in the series finale Thursday night at Pfitzner Stadium. It will be the final regular season meeting between the two clubs. RHP J.D. Martin (0-1, 5.73) is set to start for Potomac. Martin has walked 10 and allowed seven earned runs over 11 innings in his first two starts vs. Potomac, both vs. the Keys. For the Red Sox, LHP Matt Kent (9-6, 3.83) is scheduled to start in the finale. Kent has allowed two earned runs in each of his last two starts, and is 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA (1/14.1) in two starts vs. Potomac. First pitch Thursday night is set for 7:05pm.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will carry live coverage beginning with the "P-Nats Leadoff Show" at 6:50pm. P-Nats Gameday Audio on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network is available at www.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.


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