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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Milone Outstanding as Nats Survive Finale

August 30, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


KINSTON, NC- A day after the P-Nats nearly completed an epic comeback of an 8-0 deficit, the Kinston Indians nearly matched the feat on Sunday afternoon, making the P-Nats sweat it out on a muggy day in North Carolina; a day in which the P-Nats salvaged the finale of this three-game series, winning by the score of 7-5.

After the Nationals bullpen needed to pitch 23 combined innings in the past three contests, Potomac desperately needed an efficient and effective outing from starter Tom Milone on Sunday afternoon and the lefty obliged with a seven-inning, shutout performance. The southpaw matched his career high in strikeouts with nine and did not walk a batter in his outing. With the victory, Milone (11-5) is now tied for the league lead in victories and lowered his ERA to 3.08, good for fourth in the Carolina League.

After the K-Tribe put together big innings early in the previous two ballgames, the P-Nats returned the favor in the finale, putting a run on the board in the first inning on the strength of a Danny Espinosa solo home run off the batter's eye in centerfield. For Espinosa, it was his 17th home run of the season, good for second on the team.

The score would stay that way until the fifth frame when Stephen King powered his first home run since his return off the disabled list over the left field wall for his seventh round-tripper of the season.

The Nats would add another in the seventh on a Michael Martinez RBI single to push the lead to 3-0, and a four spot in the top of the ninth to seemingly put the game out of reach at 7-0. In that frame, Espinosa had a two-run single with the bases loaded, and Devin Ivany lofted a sacrifice fly.

The K-Tribe would not go quietly on a scorching day at Grainger Stadium, plating five runs on five hits and two walks to turn a rout into a nail-biter at 7-5. A huge double play induced by Cole Kimball was the turning point in the frame, and Kimball struck out Roman Pena, the tying run, looking to end the ballgame and give the P-Nats a victory in their final road game of the season.

The P-Nats board the bus to head back to Woodbridge, and the team will receive a much-needed day off on Monday after a seven-game road trip. The team will be back on Tuesday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET at Pfitzner Stadium as the Lynchburg Hillcats come to town. It will be Manassas Community Night at the ballpark! All residents of Manassas will receive $1 off grandstand tickets to that night's ballgame. It will also be the last Salute to Service Tuesday at Pfitzner Stadium where all military, first responders, and teachers receive one free grandstand ticket with proof of valid ID. Bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the ballpark box office for a steal of a deal! Buy One Ticket Get One Free from KRAFT Singles! Visit kraftsingles.com for details. © 2009 Kraft Foods Also, as part of Uncle Slam's Stimulus Package - all military, first responders, and teachers can get free tickets with a valid ID!

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 August 30, 2009


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