CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Late flurry keys Potomac victory

Published on July 21, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va.- On Monday night, the new look Potomac Nationals resembled the team that won the first-half division title earlier this year. The P-Nats showed their resilience in a 7-4 comeback victory over the Kinston Indians at Pfitzner Stadium.

The two clubs were locked in a 1-1 tie through the first four innings until the Indians jumped ahead using the long ball. Jerad Head unloaded on a Jeff Mandel curveball for a three-run homer with one out giving the K-Tribe a 4-1 lead. The homer was Head's eighth of the year and gave him 34 RBI's.

Potomac's squad never backed down facing the uphill climb and battled from behind in the later innings. Trailing by three, Dan Lyons brought the Nationals one run closer with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Lyons went 3-4 on the night and finished a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

With the score 4-2, Potomac seized an opportunity in the seventh inning. An error by reliever Sung-Wei Tseng on Michael Martinez's comebacker allowed the speedster to reach base setting the table for the inning. The next three hitters reached base against Tseng (0-4) highlighted by RBI knocks from Francisco Plasencia and Dee Brown that brought the Nationals even.

Then, with Andrew Lefave representing the go-ahead run at third base and one out, Brian Finegan lifted a fly ball to the outfield that was just deep enough. Head's throw from right field to catcher Alex Castillo was a split second to late allowing Lefave to score the run, which gave Potomac their first lead of the game.

Already leading 5-4, two more runs crossed the plate for the Nationals in the bottom of the eighth inning. Plasencia smacked a single into center field past an infield that was drawn in scoring Boomer Whiting and Martinez who were at second and third. The Venezuelan-native went 2-4 with three RBI's as he continues to contribute since being called up from Hagerstown earlier this year.

Jeff Mandel, who started the contest, tossed six innings while allowing four runs on eight hits in a no-decision. Clint Everts (2-1) picked up the win after pitching the top of the seventh inning and getting two strikeouts. Potomac's bullpen combined to throw three innings of shutout ball when Jack Spradlin pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Josh Wilkie notched his third save of the season sending Kinston down in the ninth.

Game two of the four-game series with the Kinston Indians is tomorrow night at Pfitzner Stadium. Right-hander Luis Atilano (2-0, 3.25) is scheduled to start for Potomac opposite fellow righty Josh Tomlin (7-4, 3.38) for Kinston. Tuesday is "Kids Night" where children 12 and under receive free admission with a paying adult. First pitch is scheduled for7:05 p.m.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from July 21, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central