CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Win Finale to Salvage Series

Published on May 24, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- The Lynchburg Hillcats came to Woodbridge on top of the Carolina League Northern Division with just a half-game advantage over the P-Nats, but created some breathing room between the two ballclubs by taking the first two contests of the three-game set, 13-5 on Friday night and 8-5 on Saturday. The Nationals, however, salvaged the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon behind another spectacular performance from starter Jeff Mandel and some timely hits from Chris Marrero to come out on top 4-1.

When the P-Nats have stumbled this season, they have turned to Jeff Mandel to play the role of stopper and he has answered the bell whenever he has been called upon. Mandel (6-1) picked up his team-leading sixth win of the season by tossing six shutout innings, only allowing two hits. Mandel also struck out a season-high six Hillcat batters, a departure from his last start in Kinston where he went seven innings, earning the win but failing to record a strikeout. It was Mandel's sixth consecutive victory and the righty avenged his lone loss of the year which came against this same Lynchburg team on April 12.

The P-Nats still have not lost more than two consecutive games at any point in 2009.

The Nationals batters had their hands full with the Hillcat starter Ronald Uviedo, a top prospect in the Pirates organization, who had baffled batters thus far in the Carolina League. Uviedo (2-2), however, struggled a bit early, surrendering four runs in the first three innings which ended up being enough support for Mandel and the P-Nats.

Stephen King knocked in Michael Burgess with a sacrifice fly in the second inning to plate the game's first run. Chris Marrero then stepped to the plate in the third frame with runners on second and third, lacing a single to left field to make it a 4-0 Potomac lead. Both Marrero and Sean Rooney recorded multi-hit games and Brian Peacock blasted his team-leading second triple of the season.

Lynchburg has a knack for the dramatic, however, and would not go quietly. After two scoreless frames from Adam Carr, Clint Everts came in to pitch the ninth, but ran into trouble with the first batter he faced, Jered Keel. Keel blasted a shot to center over the head of centerfielder Boomer Whiting, who made an all-out effort to try to corral the baseball, but crashed head-first into the wall as Keel scampered around the bases for an inside-the-park- home run.

Whiting lay on the warning track for a few minutes, but he would eventually leap to his feet and stay in the ballgame.

The Hillcat homer cost the P-Nats their league-leading ninth shutout of the season which is six more than any other team in the Carolina League.

The P-Nats welcome the Kinston Indians to Pfitzner Stadium Monday afternoon for a Memorial Day matinee with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 ET. It's also Dollar Monday sponsored by the Washington Post where all grandstand tickets and hot dogs will be on sale for only one dollar.

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 May 24, 2009


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