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Potomac Nationals

Early Runs Enough as Nats Drop Keys

July 3, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- A day after the Frederick Keys held the P-Nats to just a single base hit, the home team was determined to not let history repeat itself on a Friday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Five second inning runs paced Potomac as they held off a furious Frederick rally in the middle innings to escape with a thrilling 6-5 victory in front of a raucous crowd of 5, 117 at the Pfitz.

Jeff Mandel was the beneficiary of the early P-Nat onslaught, retiring the first nine Keys batters he faced. Mandel (7-4) would make it to the sixth inning in this game, allowing five late runs and striking out four. The Baylor product needed just 37 pitches to get through the first four innings before the Keys batters would begin to zone in on the right-hander.

The P-Nats would nearly notch enough offense in the second inning to last throughout the ballgame as Potomac took advantage of some questionable Keys defense. Francisco Plasencia would reach on a dropped fly ball in left and with the bases loaded, Tim Pahuta would knock a ground ball to the third baseman Brandon Waring. Waring would make a diving stop of the ball, but his throw to second base would skip away from Ryan Adams allowing two runs to score to give the P-Nats an early lead. A Sean Rooney ground out would plate another runner, and Danny Espinosa would deliver the big blow with a two-run double off the wall in right field to push the P-Nat advantage to 5-0.

The Keys would nearly complete a comeback with two solid swings of the lumber. With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, the number nine hitter Wally Crancer roped a bases-clearing double down the right-field line to cut the Nats' lead to 5-3. After the P-Nats added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Francisco Plasencia, a booming two-run home run by Billy Rowell chopped the Nats lead to 6-5.

Unlike in his last start, however, the bullpen sparkled in relief of Mandel. Jesse Estrada and Dan Leatherman combined on 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with Leatherman, the Frederick native, picking up his second save of the season as the crowd went wild with the last out recorded.

Plasencia would extend his season-high hitting streak to 12 games with that sixth inning single, currently the longest streak in the Carolina League.

Be sure to come out to Pfitzner Stadium on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day with our Food, Fireworks, and Fun spectacular! For just $22, fans will receive a reserved seat at the ballpark as well as an invitation to an all-you-can-eat pregame picnic at the Pfitz before the game! The picnic starts at 5:15 ET and lasts until first pitch at 6:35 ET! There will be neverending hamburgers, hot dogs, and delectable side items for all fans who order tickets!

After the final out is recorded, hold onto your hats as the best fireworks extravaganza in Northern Virginia will be on display presented by Potomac Hospital. And don't forget, all kids can run the bases after the game courtesy of Glory Days Grill!

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Carolina League Stories from July 3, 2009


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