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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Early Runs Enough, P-Nats Wrap up Trip with 7-4 Win

April 13, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Lynchburg, VA - Following their first loss of the season, the Potomac Nationals (5-1 Overall, 5-1 Road) stated that they wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Golden State Warriors and not lose back-to-back games. The club followed through on that statement Wednesday night with a 7-4 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats (4-3 Overall, 4-3 Home). Potomac got early runs, two in the second inning and three in the third, and then withstood a late rally in route to a win.

The Nationals started the scoring vs. RHP Mitch Brown in the second inning. 3B Drew Ward led off the frame with a single and went to third on a sacrifice bunt. LF Alec Keller plated Ward with an RBI single, while Keller later scored on an RBI double by DH Khayyan Norfork.

Brown continued to struggle in the third and failed to make it through five innings for the second straight start. Brown hit SS Osvaldo Abreu in the shoulder to begin the frame, then walked 1B Jose Marmolejos and C Raudy Read. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ward and 2B Bryan Mejia had back-to-back RBI singles, which made it 4-0. Keller then drove in his second run of the game and Potomac led 5-0 after 2.5 innings.

RHP Phillips Valdez (W, 2-0) was not as effective as he was in his first start, but took the run support and pushed his way through five innings. DH Bobby Bradley and 1B Mike Papi each hit a solo home run off of Valdez in the fourth over a span of three hitters, which cut the deficit to three runs. Valdez surrendered another pair of runs in the fifth on three singles and a wild pitch, but stranded the tying run at third base as he struck out the final three hitters of the inning.

Valdez struck out six, one shy of his season high, walked only one, and allowed four earned runs. Brown meanwhile walked a season high five, gave up five hits, five runs, and struck out four. It turned into a battle of the bullpens after five innings, and the Potomac pen continued it's stellar start to the 2016 season.

LHP RC Orlan pitched two shutout, no-hit innings in relief and allowed just one base runner over the sixth and seventh innings. RHP Koda Glover (SV, 1), on his 22nd birthday, struck out four over two no-hit innings, though the Hillcats put the tying runs on base in the eighth courtesy of two walks.

Potomac added on an insurance run in each of the last two innings, as a wild pitch from LHP Anderson Polanco plated Keller in the eighth and RHP Robbie Aviles gave up a triple to Marmolejos and an RBI double to Read in the ninth. Glover closed out the game with a 1-2-3 inning to earn his first save of the season.

For the second straight game, seven of the nine Potomac starters had at least one hit. Ward and Norfork each had a pair of hits, while five different starters had at least one RBI. With four shutout innings of relief, the Potomac bullpen lowered its ERA to 0.64. The P-Nats' pen has given up just two earned runs in 28 innings through the first six games of the season.

With the opening road trip in the books, the Nationals will return home for the home opener, as the Wilmington Blue Rocks (1-5 Overall, 0-0 Road) make the trip to Pfitzner Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05pm, as RHP Wirkin Estevez (0-0, 3.38), who left his first P-Nats start due to injury, will return to the hill. Opposite Estevez, RHP Pedro Fernandez (0-0, 2.08) will make his second straight start vs. the Nationals. The broadcast will get underway with the "P-Nats Lead-Off Show" set to begin at 6:50.

At Opening Night at The Pfitz, fans can enjoy "Thursday Cheers" with $1 drink specials during the game. "Chef on Wheels," a food truck that specializes in tacos will also be on hand. In addition, the First Command Financial Services table will raffle off a 2016 P-Nats team-signed baseball. Friday night, a 7:05pm start, bring the kids to the park, as they are invited to run the bases after the game. Fireworks will follow Saturday night's game, first pitch set for 6:35pm.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced 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. Potomac Nationals 2016 season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2016 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group ticket rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!

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Carolina League Stories from April 13, 2016


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