CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Burgess Blast in 10th Boosts P-Nats to Victory

Published on May 21, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


KINSTON, NC- Though the finale of the four-game set between the Indians and Nationals took bonus baseball on a getaway day in Kinston, the P-Nats will go home happy after an extra-innings victory over the K-Tribe, 4-3 thanks to a 10th inning blast from Michael Burgess.

The P-Nats, who had been silenced by the K-Tribe starters in the first three games of the series, scored early and often against Indians starter Ryan Morris. Boomer Whiting led off with a single and stole second base for his 16th swipe of the season. It was a momentous theft for Whiting as it was the 100th stolen base of his professional career after being drafted in the 28th round of the 2007 draft. After a Francisco Plasencia walk and a Chris Marrero single loaded the bases, Michael Burgess hit a fielder's choice grounder to short which brought home Boomer with the game's first run.

Jesus Valdez, with the bases still loaded, lined a single through the right side of the infield to bring home two more runs and the P-Nats had a 3-0 advantage after their first time at bat.

The K-Tribe would respond quickly, however, with three of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Tom Milone retired the first two batters in succession but allowed the next five men to reach base with two runners touching home on a single from Ronald Rivas and another crossing the plate on a Ryan Blair single to tie the game at three apiece.

Both starters would settle down exchanging scoreless frames before turning the contest over the their respective bullpens in the fifth. Milone allowed just one hit and walked one in his remaining three innings of work on Thursday and had to settle for a no-decision. Morris, meanwhile, struck out the side in the second and stranded a pair of P-Nats' runners in scoring position in the third and fourth stanzas. The Kinston lefty struck out five and walked four in his four innings of work.

Adam Carr entered the game for Milone in the fifth making his 2009 debut and tossed three scoreless frames against the Kinston lineup. The 25-year-old right-hander who led all Washington minor leaguers with 16 saves last season struck out three and at one point retired six consecutive Indians coming out of Trent Jewett's bullpen.

Kinston mounted a rallly late when they loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth against Potomac reliever Clint Everts who was making his second appearance of the series. Power prospect Lonnie Chisenhall pinch hit with runners on first and second, but Everts gave him a free pass to load the bases. Everts (1-1) then coaxed Adam Davis into a lazy fly ball to end the inning to keep the game tied at three. The right-handed Texas tossed two scoreless stanzas

It took bonus baseball to decide this contest, however, as both bullpens put up zeroes until the top of the 10th when Michael Burgess unloaded on a 2-2 pitch from Kyle Landis (0-3) over the centerfield fence for his eighth home run of the season to put the P-Nats up 4-3.

Flamethrower Cole Kimball came on to close out the contest and quickly retired the first two men he faced. After a walk to put the tying run on the basepaths, Kimball handcuffed Blair into hitting a soft liner to Dan Lyons for the final out of the game. It was Kimball's second save of the series and gave the P-Nats a 3-1 series victory over the Indians.

All four games in the series were decided by one run.

The Nationals now board the bus to head back to Woodbridge as they prepare for their three-game showdown with the first-place Lynchburg Hillcats starting Friday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Game time is 7:05 ET and it will be Military Appreciation Night presented by Military Banking, only at Bank of America. The first 1,000 fans will receive a baseball card set courtesy of Disabled American Veterans.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and everything to satisfy your P-Nats needs, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from May 21, 2009


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