CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Mejia's Five RBIs Lead Potomac to 9-5 Win

Published on June 26, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Kinston, NC - Behind a career-best five RBIs from 2B Bryan Mejia, the Potomac Nationals (39-33, 2-3) picked up a 9-5 victory over the Down East Wood Ducks (37-39, 2-4) on Tuesday night. Mejia picked up two RBIs on a single in the second inning, two RBIs on a base hit in the fifth frame, and another on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

In his Carolina League debut, LHP Nick Raquet (W, 1-0) did not allow a run over his first five innings, but surrendered four runs in his final frame. The Wood Ducks stranded six runners on base over the first five innings before they finally broke through against Raquet.

The P-Nats got up big early and never really had the win in doubt, as they scored three runs in the top of the second inning against RHP Robby Rowland (L, 0-1). In his Carolina League debut, Rowland allowed five runs, all earned, over four+ innings. SS David Masters got the scoring started with an RBI double in the top of the second inning, while Mejia followed with the first of his two, two-run singles. Masters finished with three doubles in the game.

Potomac doubled up its lead with three more runs in the fifth frame. The first two batters that faced Rowland reached via a hit, which caused the Wood Ducks to go to the bullpen. Mejia greeted RHP Samir Vivas with a two run single, and three batters later, 3B Ian Sagdal made it 6-0 Potomac with an RBI groundout. In the sixth, Potomac ran the lead to 8-0 on a sacrifice fly from Mejia and a sacrifice fly from CF Jack Sundberg.

Down 8-0 after 5.5 innings, the Wood Ducks charged back in the latter half of the game. Raquet got the first two outs of the home half of the sixth inning on a double play, but then saw five straight batters reach with two outs. After four doubles and a strikeout/advance on a wild pitch, Potomac went to RHP Jorge Pantoja out of the bullpen, who got the final out of the frame. Potomac led 8-0 after six innings.

Both sides plated a run in the seventh inning, as LF Rhett Wiseman tallied his team-leading 13th home run of the season for Potomac, while the Wood Ducks answered with a run off of Pantoja. After both teams went scoreless in the eighth frame, RHP James Bourque worked a perfect ninth inning and secured Potomac's 9-5 victory.

In game three of the series on Wednesday, RHP Joan Baez (3-5, 4.20) is set to get the start for Potomac. Baez has allowed just one total earned run in his last two starts. For the Wood Ducks, RHP Steven Bruce (1-4, 3.77) is set to take the mound. Bruce has lost each of his last four starts.

First pitch at Grainger Stadium on Wednesday is set for 11:00am. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 10:45am 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.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 26, 2018


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