CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats Pound Blue Crew, Move Into First Place Tie

Published on August 8, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA- After mustering a mere seven hits in the first two games of their series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Potomac Nationals needed to vent a little frustration after watching the Blue Crew surpass them in the Northern Division standings. The Nats' bats broke out in a big way on a beautiful Saturday night in Woodbridge, taking it to the visiting Blue Rocks by the score of 9-0.

The Nationals, after notching just two hits in last night's 8-1 loss to Wilmington, were determined to not fall victim to the same fate a night later as Michael Burgess provided some early fireworks before the skies would light up later in the night.

With two runners on and one out in the bottom of the first, Burgess strode to the plate and promptly pounded a pitch from Wilmington starter Alex Caldera off the left-center field wall to give the P-Nats an early 2-0 lead, matching the team's run total from the previous two games. A Chris Marrero sacrifice fly would push the lead to 3-0, as the offense was just getting warmed up.

Potomac would not let Wilmington breathe in this contest from the outset, pushing four more runs across in the bottom of the second inning to chase Caldera and let the Blue Rocks know that this would be a two-team race to the second-half title. A Jesus Valdez ground out made the lead 4-0 to set the stage for Burgess who launched a massive blast to dead-center field, a three-run shot that landed well into the forest beyond the centerfield fence to put the P-Nats comfortably ahead by the score of 7-0.

Caldera (4-9) would last just 1 2/3 innings in this game, allowing seven runs on five hits while walking two Potomac batters in his shortest outing of the season.

Burgess would go 2-for-4 on the day with five runs batted in and his 19th home run now puts him in a tie for second place in the Carolina League.

A Devin Ivany double in the bottom of the third inning brought two more runs across for the Nationals as the lead was increased to 9-0 which would be more than enough for Potomac starter Tom Milone.

Milone (8-4) did not need all the offensive support, but he was not complaining. The California southpaw went 6 1/3 frames surrendering just six hits while striking out six as well. In picking up his eighth win of the season, Milone increased the current team-lead in that category while lowering his ERA on the season to 3.32.

Jesse Estrada and Dan Leatherman finished out the final 2 2/3 innings to give the P-Nats their 12th shutout of the season, tying Wilmington for the Carolina League-lead.

With the win, Potomac moved back into a first-place tie with the Blue Rocks with just under a month of the regular season left to play.

Sunday's afternoon affair, the finale against the Blue Crew, has first pitch scheduled for 1:05 ET, and it will be Sunday Family Funday presented by Burke and Herbert Bank! The P-Nats' newest Sunday promotion is back as Kids Eat Free on Sundays at Pfitzner Stadium!. All kids 12 and under will receive a voucher upon entering the stadium that is good for one free regular hot dog and 12oz fountain soft drink. Gates open at noon and fans can receive autographs from select P-Nats players before the game. After the final out is recorded, fans can come down to the outfield to take part in Family Toss with the P-Nats by playing a game of catch on the outfield grass. And of course, kids run the bases after the game courtesy of Glory Days Grill.

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Carolina League Stories from August 8, 2009


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