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Potomac Nationals

[P-Nats Media] Lynchburg Outlasts Potomac 4-3 in 15 Innings

May 20, 2017 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Potomac Nationals Game Recap

Lynchburg Outlasts Potomac 4-3 in 15 Innings

Victor Robles Has Three Hits in Loss

Lynchburg, VA- In the longest game in the Carolina League thus far in 2017, the Potomac Nationals (19-22) fell 4-3 to the Lynchburg Hillcats (22-18) in 15 innings at Calvin Falwell Field. SS Willi Castro hit a bases loaded walk-off single into centerfield with one out in the bottom of the 15th off of RHP Jorge Pantoja (L, 0-1). The game featured a 57-minute rain delay in the bottom of the third inning and took 4:31 to play.

Three of the game's seven runs came in the first inning. 2B Austin Davidson doubled in the top of the first inning and scored on C Taylor Gushue's RBI single off of RHP Shane Bieber (ND). The Hillcats immediately answered with two runs, as RHP Joan Baez (ND) walked the first to men that he faced in the frame, and then gave up consecutive RBI singles to C Martin Cervenka and CF Andrew Calica.

With the Hillcats ahead 2-1, the skies opened up one batter into the bottom of the third inning. The rain delay was long enough to knock Baez out of the game, while Bieber came back out and had his longest start of the season. Bieber pitched 6.2 innings, and despite 10 hits, allowed just two runs.

In relief of Baez, RHP Nolan Sanburn made his Potomac debut. The right-handed reliever allowed one run over five innings. In the fourth inning, LF Ka'ai Tom made it 3-1 Lynchburg with an RBI single under the glove of Potomac 3B Kelvin Gutierrez.

The P-Nats cut the deficit back to one run with a single run in the sixth inning against Bieber, as Robles led off the frame with a triple into the left field corner, and Davidson brought him home with a sacrifice fly.

Down to their final strike, Potomac battled through the ninth inning and tied the game up. With a man on second base and two outs, LF Telmito Agustin drew a walk, which allowed Robles to step up to the plate. The top prospect in the Nationals' system hit a bloop single off the end of the bat, which plated Mejia, and tied the game. Robles' hit was the second of three on the night and came against RHP Jared Robinson (BS, 1).

After five innings from Sanburn, Potomac turned to RHP Gilberto Mendez, who likewise went five innings. Mendez gave up just one hit and walked one over his five-shutout frames. For the 13th inning, Potomac summoned Pantoja out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever worked two perfect innings, but then saw Lynchburg load the bases with no outs in the 15th inning. Calica singled, 3B Yonathan Mendoza reached on a throwing error by Pantoja on a bunt attempt, while RF Jodd Carter walked on four pitches. After DH Daniel Salters struck out, Castro lined a single through the middle of the infield and gave Lynchburg the 4-3 walk-off win.

In the win, the Hillcats left a season high 16 men on base and went just 4-16 with RISP. The P-Nats left 10 men on base and went just 2-10 with RISP. Robles, Davidson, Calica, and Castro each had three hits in the game.

Off of a third straight loss, Potomac will play a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon against the Hillcats. In an effort to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season, the P-Nats will send RHP Luis Reyes (3-5, 5.36) to the mound in game one. Reyes enters off of his best outing of the season, where he allowed just one hit over 6.1 innings of shutout baseball vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks. For the Hillcats, RHP Triston McKenzie (3-2, 2.56) will make his first start of the season vs. Potomac. The right-handed starter has allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts and gone at least six innings in all three.

First pitch of game one is set for 2:00pm on Sunday afternoon. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 1:45pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com or on the TuneIn Radio App.

Potomac's next homestand is set to get started on Tuesday, May 23rd, as the Frederick Keys will visit The Pfitz. Tuesday night, the P-Nats open with another Deuces Wild Tuesday. Grandstand tickets are just $2 each, while the P-Nats will offer $2 player performance-based concessions specials as well as $2 Wild Card concessions specials. Wednesday brings another Winning Wednesday. If the P-Nats win, redeem your ticket for another ticket of equal value for the next Wednesday home game! Wednesday contests and raffles will provide Nine Innings of Winning throughout the game. The homestand concludes with a Thursday Cheers, which will feature $1 drink specials. It's also another College Night Pfitz Party. With proof of a student ID, grandstand tickets will be $5 and the Picnic Area will feature water pong, cornhole, and trivia.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2017 season and beyond are available, as well as corporate outings for the 2017 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2017single game tickets, season tickets, mini plans, group outings, and picnic packages, visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket office at 703-590-2311.

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