CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Engles' Effort Not Enough as Nery Nails Nats

Published on July 2, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- A day after a marathon effort which saw the P-Nats outlast the Winston-Salem Dash in a 12-inning, four-hour affair, Potomac returned home to host the Frederick Keys in a four-game series for the Fourth of July weekend at Pfitzner Stadium. In a stark contrast to Wednesday's ballgame, a pitching duel between Terrence Engles and Nate Nery set the tone for a showdown series with both gunslingers firing beebees from 60'6". Nery would get the better of Engles in this contest, holding the P-Nats to just one hit en route to a 2-0 victory.

Engles (1-3) pitched one of the best games of his professional career for Potomac going a career high 8 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out six and walking just one Key batter. It was the longest outing of any Potomac Nationals pitcher this season, and Engles pitched efficiently as well needing just 94 pitches to get through his 8 2/3 innings.

Unfortunately for Engles, Nate Nery was simply brilliant on Thursday night for the Frederick Keys. Nery (2-3) was not as sharp, walking four batters in his six innings of work, but the lefty struck out five and allowed just one P-Nat hit, a Francisco Plasencia infield single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The only runs to cross the plate in the ballgame came in the third inning as Ryan Adams laced a double to left-center field to score the speedy Matt Angle from second base. Brandon Waring would follow Adams' knock with a single of his own to score Adams to push the Keys' advantage to 2-0.

When Nery left the game to begin the seventh inning, it seemed the tide could turn in favor of the P-Nats with the lefty out of the ballgame. The Keys, however, countered with 6'8" righty Pat Egan who baffled the Nats' bats for three hitless innings in relief to pick up his first save in the Carolina League.

The Nats' defense, much maligned after committing 10 errors in the series with Winston-Salem, exhibited sparkling glove work behind Engles. Danny Espinosa made several gold-glove efforts at shortstop and Engles himself got into the action by making a beautiful kick-save-and-a-beauty on a ground ball hit back to the mound by Pedro Florimon, Jr. Engles stuck his foot out on the bouncing ball and kicked the baseball straight up and into his glove before calmly making the flip to Chris Marrero at first to end the second inning.

These two teams will be back at it again tomorrow night from Pfitzner Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET. With Independence Day right around the corner, come celebrate America's birthday with the P-Nats and their spectacular fireworks extravaganza presented by Potomac Hospital!

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!

For more information on Food, Fireworks, and Fun or other daily promotions at Pfitzner Stadium, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from July 2, 2009


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