CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Late Inning Rally Lifts P-Nats in Opener

Published on July 30, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- While the Potomac Nationals have been the class of the Carolina League in the second half of the 2009 season with a 22-11 record, the Winston-Salem Dash have followed close behind with an 18-13 mark with the second best overall record in the league. The Dash arrived at Pfitzner Stadium on Thursday night to begin a four-game series in which the P-Nats saw a brilliant mound performance from Will Atwood and a clutch RBI triple from Michael Martinez to give the home team the thrilling 3-2 victory.

In a game that took just two hours and twelve minutes, the starting pitching for both teams held the opposing offenses in check for much of the contest. Dash starter Johnnie Lowe went seven-plus innings for the visitors, allowing just three runs on seven hits while striking out two. Lowe (7-5), however, would be outdueled by P-Nats' hurler Will Atwood.

Atwood, thrust into the top of the rotation with the promotions of fellow mound-mates Brad Meyers and Jeff Mandel, has put together back-to-back outstanding outings after going a career-high 7 2/3 innings in his last start against the Salem Red Sox. On this evening, Atwood went seven strong stanzas, surrendering just a single run on four hits while striking out five Dash batters. The lefty left with the lead, but unfortunately wound up with a no-decision. With those seven stellar innings, however, Atwood did manage to lower his ERA to a season-low 4.35 mark.

The P-Nats took an early lead in this contest off Lowe on a pair of foul-pole-hugging home runs off the bats of Danny Espinosa and Francisco Plasencia. In the bottom of the first, Espinosa's opposite-field blast just stayed to the right of the left-field line for his tenth home run of the season, his first since May 31 in Lynchburg.

For Plasencia, his second-inning blast was also his tenth round-tripper of the season as his shot just managed to sneak inside the right-field foul pole to give the P-Nats the 2-0 advantage.

That lead would hold up for Atwood who retired the first 14 men he faced before Logan Johnson took a 3-1 pitch deep over the right-center field fence in the top of the fifth inning to break up the perfect game and cut the deficit in half.

After Atwood departed to begin the eighth inning, Nationals 2009 first-round pick Drew Storen came on to get the final six outs. After setting down the first two men in order, Storen allowed his first professional walk on a questionable 3-2 pitch to C.J. Lang, and immediately following the walk, Dale Mollenhauer boomed a run-scoring double to right-center field to tie the ballgame.

With the game tied, the P-Nats would take little time to regain the lead, putting themselves back on top in the bottom of the eighth. Brian Peacock led off the frame with a double down the left field line off Lowe who would then depart the game. Two batters later, Michael Martinez lashed a line drive to the left-center field gap, a run-scoring triple to give the P-Nats the 3-2 lead.

Working with a lead for the second consecutive inning, Storen would make quick work of the Dash in the ninth inning, retiring the side in order to pick up his first professional win and give the P-Nats a series opening victory against a tough Dash ballclub.

These two teams will be right back here for game two Friday night with first pitch at 7:05 ET. For all you fans who think the best things in life are free, you are going to love Freebie Fridays at Pfitzner Stadium! The first 1,000 fans through the gates for Friday's duel with the Dash will receive a free P-Nats hat courtesy of Electrical Alliance. Show up early to catch local artist Emma Bailey playing a show on the main concourse before the game! For more information on Emma Bailey and her music, visit www.emma-bailey.com. Along with Freebie Friday and the pregame concert, all teens can receive $1 off grandstand tickets by showing their PRTC Teen Summer Pass at the ticket window.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things P-Nats, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from July 30, 2009


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