CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats Drop Finale to Take Split With Dash

Published on August 20, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, NC- After a 9-1 thumping of the Winston-Salem Dash on Wednesday night, the Potomac Nationals had a chance take three of four contests with the Dash from Wake Forest Baseball Park in the finale from North Carolina. Facing a tough lefty in Justin Edwards, the P-Nats made a late charge to take the finale but their late inning rally fell just short, dropping a tight contest, 5-4.

Brad Peacock got the nod on the hill for the P-Nats and has settled nicely into his spot in the Carolina League rotation. Along with making a number of sparkling defensive plays from the mound, the pitching Peacock allowed just one hit through the first three innings.

In the top of the third, the P-Nats scratched out the first run of this contest as a Greg Veloz infield single got the party started, reaching second base on a throwing error from shortstop Greg Paiml. Michael Martinez then added to his impressive RBI numbers since coming down from Double-A Harrisburg, lacing a double down the left field line to score Veloz with the game's first run.

Against Peacock in the fourth, the Dash struck back to take the lead on a two-out, two-run single from speedy centerfielder Justin Greene to give Winston-Salem a 2-1 advantage.

The Dash added another run in the sixth on a Dale Mollenhauer home run, but the P-Nats would come around to tie it in the top of the seventh frame. Back-to-back singles from Tim Pahuta and Dan Nelson put the P-Nats in business as Boomer Whiting would knock a base hit into centerfield to score Pahuta to cut the Dash lead in half at 3-2. With Martinez at the plate and a 3-1 count, both Veloz and Whiting took off on a double-steal attempt. The pitch from Edwards would end up being ball four but catcher John Curtis fired the ball into left field trying to nab Veloz, who came around to score the tying run on the error.

Unfortunately for the P-Nats, the tied ballgame would be short-lived as the Dash would score the go-ahead run in the seventh inning off Peacock.

Overall in this contest, Peacock (2-2) went a season-high seven innings allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four and not walking a batter. After his excellent defense in the initial innings of this game, it would be a throwing error from the young right-hander that would give the Dash the lead late in the ballgame. Greene was hit by a pitch to begin the frame and was sacrificed to second base. On an attempted pickoff play, Peacock's throw landed in centerfield pushing Greene to second base as the outfielder came around to score on a Sergio Morales bloop single to right.

With the score 5-3 in the ninth and flamethrowing closer Santo Luis in the game for the Dash, Veloz capped off his best day as a P-Nat, blasting his first home run of the year off Luis to cut the Dash lead in half at 5-4. Whiting would reach on a walk, but Luis struck out Martinez for his 12th save of the season.

The P-Nats and Dash split the four-game series 2-2 and the season series 10-10.

The P-Nats board the bus to head back to Woodbridge to begin a three-game series with the Salem Red Sox from Pfitzner Stadium. Friday night's opener has first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET as Red Sox Nation South travels to Woodbridge. Gates open at 6 ET and it will be Freebie Friday at the Pfitz! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a P-Nats Back-to-School Backpack courtesy of AAA Mid-Atlantic. Also all PRTC Teen Summer Pass holders get $1 off any grandstand ticket on Friday ballgames at Pfitzner Stadium. In addition to the free backpack and money-saving deals with the P-Nats, all kids have the chance to run the bases after the game courtesy of Glory Days Grill!

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 August 20, 2009


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