CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats Break Out Brooms to Sweep Away K-Tribe

Published on July 19, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- Looking for their first home sweep since an abbreviated two-game series with the Frederick Keys during the first weekend in May, the Potomac Nationals came out focused and ready to put the finishing touches on a stellar 6-1 homestand. The P-Nats led by as many as eight runs before Kinston mounted a late rally, but it was not enough as the home team held on for a 9-6 victory, and a sweep of the K-Tribe.

After Saturday's duel between Terrence Engles and Russell Young, Sunday's matchup had all the makings of another showdown on the mound with Jeff Mandel toeing the rubber for the Nationals and Eric Berger getting the nod for the K-Tribe.

Mandel proved the better man in this contest, going seven strong innings, allowing just a single run on five hits while striking out six. Mandel (8-4) worked efficiently in his seven innings of work, needing just 84 pitches to set down the Indians. His lone hiccup came on a hanging pitch to slugging first baseman Ole Sheldon, who deposited the offering over the left-field wall for a solo shot.

Berger was roughed up early in this ballgame, and did not receive much help from his defense in the second inning. Berger (7-7) went just 4 2/3 allowing five runs (two earned) while striking out six and walking four.

The Nats did their early damage in the second inning, taking advantage of three Kinston errors. Michael Martinez reached on an error by Ron Rivas and moved to second base on a walk to Stephen King. Brian Peacock roped a double down the right-field line to plate Martinez and put runners on second and third with just one out. Boomer Whiting would then execute a perfect safety squeeze play as King scampered home with the game's second run. Whiting evaded the tag from Sheldon to reach first as runners would stay on the corners.

More aggressive baserunning would follow as Whiting took off for second. When Doug Pickens' throw headed down to try to nail Whiting, Peacock raced home in a steal of home for the P-Nats' third run of the inning. Another Rivas error allowed Whiting to score and make the game 4-0 in favor of Potomac.

For Whiting, the stolen base was his 41st of the year, breaking the P-Nats' franchise mark of 54 stolen bases set by Ian Desmond. Whiting accomplished the feat in just 116 games compared to Desmond's 276. He also stole his 42nd bag later in the ballgame.

With the score 5-1, the P-Nats put another four runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh after the first four men who came to the plate reached base. Valdez walked and Marrero was hit by a pitch by David Roberts. Francisco Plasencia would continue to have a big series, knocking a single to score Valdez, and Michael Martinez then laced a triple to the left-center field gap to clear the bases and put the home team in front 8-1. They would push the lead to 9-1 after a Stephen King sacrifice fly.

But the K-Tribe would not quit in this contest, plating five runs of their own in the top of the eighth. Cole Kimball walked four of the five men he faced before giving way to Dan Leatherman who surrendered a three-run double to Rivas to make the game interesting. Doug Pickens' RBI single made it 9-6 and all of a sudden, what was once a laugher turned into a tightly-contested affair.

Leatherman, however, would settle down, striking out the last two batters he faced in the eighth and retiring the side in order in the ninth to preserve the P-Nats 9-6 victory, giving them a sweep of the K-Tribe and a successful 6-1 homestand.

The P-Nats will enjoy an off day before hitting the road for a six-game trip through Lynchburg and Salem.

You can catch all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson.

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 July 19, 2009


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