CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Big innings, Norrito key victory

Published on May 17, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


SALEM, Va. - The last time the Potomac Nationals faced Polin Trinidad was on Opening Day and Trinidad dominated the P-Nats over six innings. Tonight was a different story as Potomac returned the favor against the left-hander erupting for five runs in the fifth inning and cruising to a 10-1 victory over the Salem Avalanche.

Spot starter Joe Norrito who began the season with Triple-A Columbus making two appearances before being sent down to the Nationals earlier this month made his first career start for the P-Nats and was fantastic. The right-hander silenced Salem over five scoreless innings allowing just two hits while striking out three. The Sacramento, CA, native lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 2.70. After Jimmy Van Ostrand singled in the bottom of the second inning, Norrito (1-0) retired the final 10 hitters he faced in order.

For the second consecutive game the P-Nats offense hit the jackpot with a big inning. They scored six runs in the first inning last night and answered with five more in the fifth inning tonight all coming with two outs. Already leading 1-0, Potomac pounded six consecutive hits against Trinidad (3-2) starting with Matt Rogelstad's double down the right field line after a seven pitch at bat. Chris Marrero and Frank Diaz laced RBI singles and Edgardo Baez continued his big night with a two-RBI double.

The third out of the inning continued to elude Trinidad as Francisco Plasencia replaced Dee Brown after Brown was ejected arguing balls and strikes in the fourth inning and lined an RBI double into left field making the score 6-0.

Trinidad suffered the loss and matched his shortest outing of the season with five innings and the most runs given up with six.

Baez had a huge night offensively going 3-5 with three doubles and tallying six RBI, the most among any P-Nats player this year. His third two-bagger of the contest in the top of the eighth inning came off of reliever Bryan Hallberg with the bases loaded driving in three runs and capping a four-run inning.

Marrero, Rogelstad, Lowrance, and Diaz all contributed with multi-hit performances. Diaz's 3-5 night helped him return to the RBI column with his 13th and 14th of the season. Potomac outhit the Avalanche with a barrage of base hits 15-4.

The Nationals led 10-0 and the bullpen held behind outings from Chris Lugo and Clint Everts. Everts earned the save pitching three innings, his first of the season. P-Nats pitchers had retired 16 consecutive Avalanche until Koby Clemens, the son of former Major Leaguer Roger Clemens; hit a double in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Nationals and Avalanche will conclude their three-game series tomorrow night at Lewis Gale Medical Center Field. Jhonny Nunez (0-4, 5.30), who has yet to win a decision this season will try for his first victory against Casey Hudspeth (2-3, 4.57). First pitch is scheduled for 2:07 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from May 17, 2008


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