CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats Snatch Series Victory in Hillcats' Den

July 23, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


LYNCHBURG, Va- In a marathon rubber match between the Lynchburg Hillcats and the Potomac Nationals that saw each team celebrate a victory during the duration of the 12 innings of the contest, the P-Nats eventually emerged with an 8-3 victory after an offensive outburst in the top of the 12th inning put the Nats on top to stay after a controversial call went the way of the Nationals.

Hassan Pena started his first game for the Nationals in 2009, going five strong scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three. He faced off with Ronald Uviedo who had been unable to figure out the Nationals in 2009, going 0-3 against the Nats but 5-0 against the rest of the league. The two starters, however, were nowhere near the end of the game as this affair was destined for a different outcome.

Francisco Plasencia hit his ninth home run of the season in the top of the first inning off Uviedo, a two-run shot to give the P-Nats an early advantage of 2-0. That lead would hold until the sixth inning when back to back to back doubles from the Hillcats off reliever Jesse Estrada knotted the ballgame at two.

The game would go to extra innings, and a near chaotic scene from City Stadium would follow.

With Dan Leatherman on the mound for his fourth inning of relief work, Hillcat shortstop Jordy Mercer jumped on a pitch with two outs in the tenth inning, blasting the ball down the left field line. As the ball sailed through the Virginia night and over the wall, it became unclear whether or not the baseball curled inside the fair pole or hooked too far foul. The umpire initially called it a fair ball, sending City Stadium into pandemonium as Mercer circled the bases, jumping into the waiting arms of his teammates at home plate, believing he had just hit a walk-off home run.

Immediately after the umpire called the ball fair, numerous P-Nats players erupted, screaming that the ball was foul. As the Hillcat players strolled towards the clubhouse, basking in the glow of a series victory, the two umpires on the field converged on the infield to discuss the call.

After a few minutes of deliberation, the umpires overturned the call, saying the ball went foul and sending the Hillcat faithful into a feverish frenzy. Once the outrage died down, Mercer put his helmet back on and stepped into the box to face Leatherman once again. He struck out swinging on a nasty slider, had some choice words for the home plate umpire, and was subsequently ejected from the game.

With new life, the P-Nats came to bat in the 12th inning looking to end the game once and for all. Michael Martinez led off with a single, and two walks (one intentional) loaded the bases for Tim Pahuta. Pahuta was down in the count 1-2, but took a pitch from Chris Cullen (4-2) back up the middle as the ball ricocheted off Cullen's foot and into right field, scoring two and putting the P-Nats in front 4-2.

Aaron Seuss roped an RBI single off the left field wall to add another run, and Boomer Whiting was then plunked to re-load the bases. Tempers flared as Whiting and Cullen exchanged choice words as well, nearly emptying the benches. When cooler heads prevailed, Dan Nelson stepped to the dish and promptly unloaded the bases with a three-run triple down the right field line to make it an 8-2 game.

Osvaldo Rodriguez (1-0) pitched the final two frames to pick up his first win in a P-Nats uniform.

With the series victory, the P-Nats walked away from City Stadium with their first series victory from Lynchburg since April of 2008.

The Nationals now make the short trip to Salem to begin a three-game series with the Red Sox Friday night from Lewis Gale Field. With first pitch at 7:05 ET, you can catch all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson starting with the pregame show at 6:45 ET.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, 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 23, 2009


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