CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Hillcats Stun Potomac 7-6 with Four Late-Inning Runs

August 26, 2018 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA - A day after the Potomac Nationals (68-59, 31-29) notched their first no-hitter in P-Nats history, they lost three-run eighth inning lead in a 7-6 loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats (66-62, 37-24). By avoiding a three-game sweep, the Hillcats dropped their magic number to clinch a playoff spot in the Northern Division to five.

Potomac got off to a sizzling start in search of a sweep on Sunday afternoon, as the club led 4-0 after three innings. RHP Justin Garza (ND) retired the first two hitters in each of the first two innings, but then gave up at least one two-out run in each frame. Four consecutive two-out singles in the first inning gave the P-Nats a 2-0 lead, while SS Luis Garcia notched a two-out solo home run in the second inning. Garcia's fourth home run with Potomac made it 3-0. In the third inning, 1B Aldrem Corredor singled with one out, and then scored on an RBI double from RF Rhett Wiseman.

In his third start for the P-Nats, RHP Jackson Tetreault (ND) struggled with his command early in the start, but pitched into the sixth inning for the second consecutive outing. Tetreault stranded four runners on base over his first five innings, but gave up a hit to three of the four batters that he faced in the sixth frame. RF Trenton Brooks led off the sixth inning with a home run, while 3B Nolan Jones and SS Jorma Rodriguez each singled. Rodriguez's single knocked the Potomac starter out of the game, as RHP A.J. Bogucki came on in relief. Bogucki gave up a single to CF Austen Wade, which loaded the bases with one out. The right-handed reliever then issued consecutive bases loaded walks to 1B Emmanuel Tapia and DH Tyler Friss, which made it a one-run game at 4-3 Potomac. Bogucki escaped further damage, as he struck out C Gianpaul Gonzalez and got 2B Dillon Persinger to fly out to end the frame and keep the Potomac lead.

Garza departed after 3.2 innings, as he surrendered four runs, all earned, on seven hits. LHP Anderson Polanco got the final out of the fourth inning for Lynchburg, worked the fifth and sixth frames, and pitched to three batters in the seventh inning. The left-handed reliever posted a zero in both the fifth and sixth inning, but all three batters that he faced in the seventh frame reached base successfully. 3B Ian Sagdal led off the inning with a single, while a double from C Tres Barrera put two men in scoring position with no outs. A wild pitch from Polanco plated Sagdal, while the attempted throw to the plate from Gonzalez sailed past everyone, which allowed Barrera to score as well. It was the second consecutive game where the P-Nats scored two runs on the same play when a ball went to the backstop. Potomac led 6-3 after seven innings.

LHP Hayden Howard, who tossed a scoreless seventh inning, allowed a one-out single to Tapia and a double to Friis in the eighth inning. Potomac then called upon RHP Jeremy McKinney (L, 3-4). The right-handed reliever quickly gave up an RBI single to Gonzalez, which made it a two-run game. Persinger followed with an RBI double, which cut Potomac's lead to one run and put the tying run at third base, while Brooks tied the game with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. McKinney stranded men on the corners, as the game was tied 6-6 after 7.5 innings.

The P-Nats went in order against LHP Kyle Nelson (W, 3-0) in the eighth inning, while RHP Dalbert Siri (SV, 13) worked around a leadoff walk and retired the next three batters in a scoreless ninth frame. Siri closed the door on Potomac, as Lynchburg salvaged the series and avoided a sweep with a 7-6 come from behind win.

Off of the series win, Potomac will begin its final home series of the 2018 regular season, which will get underway on Monday night. The Frederick Keys, already eliminated from playoff contention, will play four games vs. the P-Nats at Northwest Federal Field.

First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Monday is set for 7:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:50pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com, at http://bit.ly/P-NatsBroadcast, or on the TuneIn Radio App.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League 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. Sponsorship opportunities for the P-Nats' 2018 season and beyond are available, as well as all-inclusive corporate picnic outings to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz. 2018 Potomac Nationals season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2018 season tickets, mini plans, group outings, picnic packages, fundraisers, and all things Red, White, and Blue, visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com, follow the P-Nats on Facebook (@PotomacNationals), Twitter (@PNats42), and Instagram (@pnats42), or call the Potomac Nationals' Extreme Custom Collision Ticket Office at 703-590-2311.

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