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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Lyons Roars as Nats Outlast Dash

July 1, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, NC- In a series dominated by offense and pitchers' ERAs creeping toward quadruple digits, the finale of the four-game set between the Winston-Salem Dash and the Potomac Nationals was naturally a dynamic pitcher's duel between Jacob Rasner and Tom Milone who matched each other pitch for pitch as the day turned to night at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Once night had fallen, however, the game turned into a folly of walks and wild pitches with the lead changing hands multiple times. The hero, however, was reserve infielder Dan Lyons who supplied the big blow with a bases-loaded triple in the top of the 12th to give the P-Nats an 8-4 victory.

Tom Milone took to the hill thrilled to see the month of June in the rearview mirror. After struggling to a 6.53 ERA last month, Milone went out and tossed one of the best games of his professional career. The California lefty threw seven stellar innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out a career-high nine Dash batters. Milone commanded the strike zone flawlessly all night as the southpaw did not walk a batter.

Unfortunately for Milone, he went up against a red-hot righty in Jacob Rasner. Coming into the game, Rasner had held opponents to just a .198 batting average while carrying a 2.77 ERA from the month of June into Wednesday's start. The Nevadan came as advertised, stifling the P-Nats for eight innings. The righty made just two mistakes on the night which turned into two Potomac solo home runs. Rasner went eight innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out five and walking one.

The two P-Nats big blasts came off the bats of Francisco Plasencia, who knocked a two-out bomb in the fifth, and Chris Marrero who boomed the first pitch he saw in the eighth inning over the right-center field wall to tie the game at two.

Missed opportunities would litter the box score for both clubs as there would be bonus baseball in Winston-Salem on getaway day.

Dan Lyons would lead the top of the 11th off with a bunt single and reach third with just one out. With two outs, Hector Santiago would uncork a wild pitch to score Lyons with the go-ahead run. A Tim Pahuta infield single would bring in another run to make it 4-2 as the P-Nats were sitting pretty in extra innings.

But the Dash would fight back, plating two of their own in the bottom half of the frame. An infield single and a walk would put the tying runs aboard, and a groundout would cut the lead in half. Cole Kimball (2-5) would strike out Joe Persichina with what should have been the final out, but the ball got behind Sean Rooney. Salvador Sanchez would score as Persichina raced to first as the game became tied at four.

The P-Nats would respond, however, in the top of the 12th, loading the bases with nobody out on the strength of two walks and single. Lyons would then stride to the plate after coming into the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. With the infield drawn in, Lyons would waste no time, launching the first pitch he saw from Hector Santiago (2-2) over the head of Sanchez in center to empty the basepaths with his first triple of the season. The Nats would notch another run on a Sean Rooney sacrifice fly to push the lead to 8-4.

Dan Leatherman would pitch the 12th to end the ballgame.

The P-Nats take the long bus ride home to Woodbridge to take on the Frederick Keys for a four-game set starting Thursday night at 7:05 ET.

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!

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics



Carolina League Stories from July 1, 2009


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