CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Meyers Masterful on Mound, Shuts Out Keys

April 24, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


FREDERICK, Md- A day after a cacophony of errors and mental miscues plagued both sides in Potomac's 14-8 victory over Frederick, an announced crowd of 6, 042 fans at Harry Grove Stadium witnessed a gem of a pitcher's duel as Bradley Meyers out-pitched a combination of Major Leaguer Rich Hill and John Mariotti to notch his second victory of the season and give the P-Nats their second consecutive win over the Keys, 4-0.

Michael Burgess kept his bat blazing with a solo home run in the third, his fifth of the season, and a two-run single to give the Nationals some breathing room with two down in the ninth. In the last week, Burgess has blasted four home runs and recorded 13 RBI to put himself among the Carolina League leaders in that category. He also helped out his starting pitcher by gunning down Keys catcher Caleb Joseph trying to score in the third inning. Burgess led all minor leaguers in outfield assists in 2008 with 26 and showcased his powerful arm by throwing a laser that never touched the ground as catcher Sean Rooney caught the ball and was surprised to see the runner still a good ten feet away from home plate before he made the tag.

Boomer Whiting also manufactured a run himself in the third inning. He wore one off the ankle from Keys starter Rich Hill (0-1) who was making a Major League rehab assignment and trotted down to first. Whiting looked at Hill's move once, then used his blazing speed to steal second base. Not wasting any time, he stole third on the next pitch and came home on Francisco Plasencia's ground ball to short.

That one run would be enough for starter Bradley Meyers (2-0) who threw the best game of his professional career on Friday night. Through 7 2/3 innings, Meyers only allowed five hits without walking a batter and striking out four. His ERA now stands at an even 2.00 and he has walked only two batters in 18 total innings pitched.

Meyers was so dominant, he faced only one batter over the minimum through six innings and had thrown only 73 pitches through seven innings. He ran out of gas a bit in the eighth, retiring the first two, but allowing a single. Manager Trent Jewett decided Meyers had done all he could do to put one in the win column for the Nationals and Meyers walked back to the dugout to a well-deserved ovation from the home crowd at Frederick.

In relief of Meyers, Jewett brought in the Frederick native Dan Leatherman to pitch in front of his hometown crowd. Leatherman did not disappoint all the family and friends who came to the ballpark in support of him as he struck out the lone batter he faced in the eighth before retiring the side in order in the ninth, notching his first save of the season. After the last strikeout was recorded, Leatherman tipped his cap to the crowd in acknowledgement of the chorus of cheers cascading down from the bleachers.

With the win the P-Nats move to two games over .500 (9-7) for the first time in 2009.

The Nationals and Keys face off in the third game of this four-game set Saturday with a 2:00 ET start time. Right-hander Carlos Martinez will make another spot start opposite Orioles top prospect, left-hander Brian Matusz.

For more information on daily promotions at Pfitzner Stadium, tickets, or just to check up on the stats from all your favorite P-Nats players, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from April 24, 2009


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