CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Out-Slug Hillcats 11-8

Published on May 25, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(LYNCHBURG, VA) - The Potomac Nationals held onto a 11-8 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats Friday night at City Stadium. Potomac used a five-run first to get their first win on the road over their last seven tries.

The Nationals scored five runs in the first inning to get off to a quick start against Lynchburg starter RHP Cody Martin. The key play was a missed catch of a throw by first basemen Chris Garcia with two out which opened the flood gates to three unearned runs. The big hits: an RBI double by David Freitas and a two-out two-run double by Kevin Keyes. Potomac's five runs in the first were equal to the total runs scored by the P-Nats in the last two series on the road (at Carolina and Wilmington) over six games.

Potomac added runs in the second and third innings on RBI singles. Ricky Hague scored Adrian Sanchez in the second and Randolph Oduber got an RBI single with two-outs in the third to extend the Potomac advantage to 7-0. The seven run lead equaled the biggest lead of the season for Potomac which was their home opener against Lynchburg back on April 13th. It was the first time Potomac has led by seven runs on the road in 2012.

But the Hillcats chipped away against Nationals starter RHP Trevor Holder. Lynchburg had two outs and no one on in the fourth but scored three in the inning with Mycal Jones two-run triple being the key hit. An RBI single from Nick Ahmed that scored Jones chased Holder from the game as he tossed three and two-thirds innings giving up three runs.

Paul Applebee came in for Holder and struggled himself. Matt Weaver knocked an RBI single in the fifth off of Applebee to cut the Potomac lead to just 7-4.

The Nationals appeared to put the game away in the top of the sixth inning. The P-Nats scored four runs highlighted by Michael Taylor blasting a two-run double off the wall to extend the lead to 10-4. It was the 18th two-bagger of the year for Taylor who leads the Carolina League in that category. Potomac added another run when Oduber singled in Taylor and it was a 11-4 Nationals led.

Lynchburg came back in the bottom half of the inning with four runs of their own all off of Applebee. The inning started with Kyle Rose looking like he grounded into a out but an errant throw from Hague put him on. Tommy La Stella hit a two-run single to bring Lynchburg within 11-6. La Stella has knocked 14 of his 31 RBI of the year against Potomac in just seven games. Two more runs were added off of Applebee and Neil Holland came on to get the final out of the inning to keep Potomac up 11-8 after six innings.

Lynchburg would have three more threats in the final three frames but the door was shut by Holland who was able to toss two crucial scoreless innings. Holland (3-1) earned the win. Cameron Selik came on for the last out of the eighth and tossed a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.

The loss went to Cody Martin (5-5) who yielded seven runs with just four being earned.

The slugfest featured just one "1-2-3" inning: the top of the ninth for Potomac. The teams combined to leave 23 players on base with only one half inning having none left on. 28 hits were belted between the two teams with none being homers.

The Potomac offense was led by a three hit day from Taylor who had three runs scored. Hague and Freitas each reached base four times. Nick Ahmed had five hits to lead the Lynchburg attack. Every player who started the game either had a hit or run scored.

Tomorrow the P-Nats look to win the series with RHP Matt Swynenberg (3-2, 4.57) taking the hill for the 6:05 start. Potomac returns home on Memorial Day for a 6:05 contest with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For tickets, please contact us at 703-590-2311 or for more information visit www.potomacnationals.com.

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Carolina League Stories from May 25, 2012


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