Nats Comeback on 'Cats in 10th
Published on July 17, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Woodbridge, VA - The Hillcats rallied for five runs in the second inning but did not score after the fifth as the Potomac Nationals plated the final six runs in a comeback 7-6 victory in extras. Francisco Soriano delivered the walk-off blow, doubling with two outs in the bottom of the 10th. Kevin Keyes scored all the way from first base to give the Hillcats their second straight loss, and fifth straight at Pfitzner Stadium.
Lynchburg's five run second inning was highlighted by Matt Weaver's 10th home run of the season. It was a three-run opposite field shot to right. He is now tied with Edward Salcedo for the homers on the team. Nick Ahmed doubled to drive in Mycal Jones three batters later to make it 5-0 Hillcats. The double knocked Potomac's starter Adam Olbryhowski out of the game.
RHP Ryan Demmin relieved Olbrychowski to get the final out in the second. He went on to throw a season-high four and one-third innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five. The one run came in the fifth inning when Jones and Ahmed hit back-to-back doubles.
Meanwhile, the Potomac offense got started in the fourth frame. David Freitas drove in major league rehabber Xavier Nady with a double. It was 5-1 Hillcats heading into the fifth.
Down 6-1 going in the bottom of the fifth, the Nationals added another run. Soriano hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kevin Keyes from third base. Then, in the sixth Keyes capped a three-run rally with a two-run homer bringing the Nationals within one. It was 6-5 Hillcats.
The one-run lead held until the ninth inning. RHP Ryne Harper was attempting to record a two-inning save. He retired the first two batters of the inning before giving up three straight singles. The third of which drove in a run and tied the game at 6-6. RHP Ian Marshall took over with runners at first and second and two outs. He induced a 5-4 fielder's choice to push the game to extras.
After RHP Neil Holland kept the Hillcats from scoring in the 10th, Marshall went back to work on the mound. Keyes singled with one out. Blake Kelso then struck out swinging before Soriano delivered the game-winning knock off the right field wall.
Holland (5-1) earned the win with one scoreless inning of relief. Marshall (0-2) took the loss giving up one run on two hits in an inning of work.
The Hillcats are now 13-12 in the second half and still in first place. The Nationals brought themselves into a three-way tie for second at 12-13 in the Northern Division behind the 'Cats by a game.
Game three of the four-game series is tomorrow at 7:05pm. RHP Gus Schlosser (9-4, 3.45) will get the ball for Lynchburg against LHP Robbie Ray (3-6, 5.11) for Potomac. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40pm. Listen live to all the action on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com.
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