CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats' Bats Hit Snooze, Fall to Red Sox 7-1

Published on May 12, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- A special 11:00 a.m. start time at the Pfitz on Tuesday made for a sluggish start from the P-Nats as they fell to the Salem Red Sox 7-1 in the opener of a three-game set under blue skies in Woodbridge.

Will Atwood got the start on the hill for the P-Nats as he looked to continue the dominance Potomac starters had put forth on the previous seven-game road trip which saw the team go 6-1 and culminated in Carolina League Player of the Week honors for starter Brad Meyers.

Atwood (0-4) had his good curveball working in the first few innings as the only damage done by the Red Sox bats came courtesy of a Ryan Kalish solo home run in the third. But in the fifth, the flood gates opened and suspect defense combined with pitches hitting too much of the plate spelled doom for the Nats.

The inning began with a dropped pop fly from Chris Marrero and two singles later, it was that man Kalish once again who lined a single to center scoring a run. Two more two-run singles ended Atwood's afternoon and pushed the lead to 6-1. All in all, Atwood surrendered seven runs (five earned) on seven hits though he did match his season-high in strikeouts with six.

The seven runs of support were plenty for Sox starter Eammon Portice who bounced back from a tough start against Potomac April 16, an outing where he gave up four runs in five innings in an 8-2 Nationals victory. Portice (2-3) befuddled the Nats with an assortment of breaking pitches and a deceptive delivery. The righty scattered three hits through six innings, allowing one run and striking out seven.

Lost in the shuffle of the one-sided affair was the sterling performance by the P-Nats bullpen. A quintet of relievers shut down the Sox only allowing three hits over the final 4 2/3 innings, but Ryne Miller and Jose Alvarez slammed the door on the home team, finishing off the 7-1 Salem victory.

These two teams will be right back at the Pfitz tomorrow night with the first pitch at 7:05 ET. Jeff Mandel will get the start for the Nationals as he looks to improve on his 3-1 record and his 2.43 ERA which is good for fourth in the Carolina League. Wednesday at the Pfitz is also a Belly Buster Night where $12 gets you all-you-can-eat burritos from Moe's Southwest Grill, select items from Pizzeria Uno's, and endless hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and popcorn while supplies last as well as a grandstand ticket to the game.

It's also Wendy's Wednesday where a receipt from one of Wendy's Old-Fashioned combo meals gives fans the opportunity to purchase buy-one-get-one-free tickets.

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 12, 2009


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