Sports stats



CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Gut Out 2-1 Victory in Extra-Innings in Kinston

May 8, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


KINSTON, NC) The Potomac Nationals gutted out a 2-1 victory in extra-innings in Kinston to snap their five-game losing streak and salvage the finale of the four-game set at Grainger Stadium. Steven Souza's sacrifice fly in the eleventh inning capped off a seesaw win that showcased special efforts by several of Nationals.

The Nationals (11-18) took the lead in the first inning, saw the game tied in the sixth, and escaped two huge jams to set the stage for Souza's winner.

Justin Bloxom singled in Hood in the opening inning to get the Nats on the board and snap a string of 17 scoreless innings. Danny Rosenbaum took the lead and ran with it. The lefthander kept the Indians off the board until the sixth - and even then, the K-Tribe tied the game amidst some controversy.

After a leadoff single by Tyler Holt, Casey Frawley popped out to first. On a 2-2 pitch, Rosenbaum appeared to strike out Bo Greenwell with a fastball on the outside corner. It was called a ball, Greenwell eventually walked and Paul Menhart was ejected for an argument with home plate umpire John Bacon. Rosenbaum struck out Chase Burnette for the third time (which would have ended the inning) before Jason Smit hit a ground ball through the left side of the infield to score Holt and knot the score.

It would stayed tied through nine innings - though not without some harrowing moments for the Nationals. In the eighth inning Rob Wort, who relieved Rosenbaum after seven outstanding innings, walked the first two batters. Josh Smoker was summoned from the bullpen, and retired the Tribe in order, including a fourth strikeout of Burnette. Smoker retired the Indians in the ninth as well.

Marcos Frias entered in the tenth inning, and got into hot water right away. He walked Holt and hit Frawley to open the frame; Greenwell sacrificed them to second and third. After Burnette was walked to load the bases, Frias struck out Smit and got Doug Pickens to hit a ground ball back to him and end the threat.

The Nats broke the tie in the 11th, with a little help from Smit. After Cutter Dykstra walked and moved to second on Jeff Kobernus's sacrifice bunt, Destin Hood hit a popup to right field. Smit lost the ball in the sun and dropped it, allowing the Nationals to put two men in scoring position with one out.

Souza then hit a two-strike line drive to medium right; Smit made an excellent throw to the plate but an even better slide from Dykstra broke the tie.

Pat Lehman pitched a perfect 11th for his seventh save, and the Nats avoided the sweep. Frias (2-2) got the win, while Jose Flores (0-3) was saddled with the loss.

Potomac looks to make it two in a row tomorrow night in Winston-Salem. Mitchell Clegg takes the bump for the Nats against Joe Serafin at 7:05 P.M.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...

Carolina League Stories from May 8, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central