NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Potomac Nationals

Series of Hits Sinks Nats' Hopes for Sweep

July 16, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- With the P-Nats' newfound confidence at Pfitzner Stadium, the team had their sights set on a sweep of their Northern Division rival Lynchburg Hillcats on Thursday night. The finale of the four-game set looked promising for the first five innings, but the Hillcats would not be denied, exploding for four runs in the sixth inning en route to a 7-5 victory over the Potomac Nationals.

The Hillcats would claw two runs off starter Will Atwood in the top of the first inning. Back to back doubles by Matt Hague and Kent Sakamoto plated two runs to give the Cats an early 2-0 lead.

It would be short-lived, however, as the Nats would rally back in the bottom half of the frame off Hillcat starter Chi-Hung Cheng (7-3). With two runners on courtesy of a walk and a hit batter, Chris Marrero stepped to the plate swinging a scorching stick, hitting .356 in the month of July. Marrero stayed hot, launching a three-run home run deep over the left field fence to give the P-Nats a 3-2 lead. For Marrero it was his 13th home run of the season, and the beginning of a superb day at the plate which saw the slugger go 3-for-4 with those three RBI.

The Nats would tack on another in the bottom of the third on a Danny Espinosa single to score Boomer Whiting, and make the score 4-2.

Atwood would labor through five innings, allowing four runs on six hits, and the lefty walked the tightrope in the fourth inning. With the Nats up by two, the Cats loaded the bases with nobody out. Atwood, however, stayed calm on the mound inducing a 5-2-3 double play off the bat of Eric Fryer while another soft ground ball from Eddie Prasch got Atwood out of the inning with no damage being done.

In the sixth, however, the Hillcats would string together a succession of base hits to plate four runs. Ciro Rosero delivered the big blow, a two-run double off reliever Jesse Estrada (0-2) to give Lynchburg a 6-4 lead.

A Stephen King sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning would slice the deficit in half to make it 6-5, but a baserunning error would cost the P-Nats dearly. With Jesus Valdez at first, Brian Peacock singled into centerfield. Valdez took off for third, reaching safely as Peacock attempted to take second base when the throw from outfielder Alex Presley tried to nab Valdez at third. When the ball squirted away from the second baseman Jose De Los Santos, Valdez tried to scamper home but was thrown out easily to end the inning.

The Hillcats would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth on a play in which the P-Nats committed two errors, allowing De Los Santos to score from second base.

A two-out Valdez double in the bottom of the ninth kept the Nats' hopes for a sweep alive, but R.J. Rodriguez shut the door for his 17th save of the season.

The P-Nats welcome in the Kinston Indians for a three-game series starting Friday night with first pitch slated for 7:05 ET.

For Freebie Friday at the ballpark, the P-Nats are unveiling a fantastic giveaway. The team will unveil the Uncle Slam Bobblehead Doll courtesy of Pest Management Services, Inc. and Termidor Termite Defense for the first 1,000 fans through the Pfitzner Stadium gates! Gates open at 6 ET for the 7:05 ET start, so be sure to come early so you won't miss out on what is sure to be one of the hottest collectibles of the season! Also teens holding a PRTC Summer bus pass get $1 off tickets to any Friday home game at the Pfitz this season.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...

Carolina League Stories from July 16, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central