CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nats Tripped Up as Rocks Roll Into Tie for First

Published on August 6, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- With the Wilmington Blue Rocks closer than they appear in the rearview mirror, the Potomac Nationals had little room for error in the opener of a four-game set with the Blue Rocks from Pfitzner Stadium. With a young gun on the hill, the P-Nats looked to put some separation between themselves and the second-place Blue Crew but the Rocks rolled over the Nats in game one, taking the contest by the score of 5-1 and moving into a tie for first-place in the Carolina League's Northern Division.

Trevor Holder got the start for the P-Nats on the hill, making just his second Carolina League start. The 2009 third-round draft pick has made a quick ascent through the Nationals' ranks, going through Vermont and Hagerstown in just a little over a month before joining Potomac. In the initial innings, Holder held down the Blue Rocks' bats, striking out three in the first two frames, but ran into trouble in the top of the third.

A walk and bunt single led off the inning, and an RBI single by Johnny Giavotella plated the first Blue Rock run to give the visitors an early advantage. A sacrifice fly by top prospect Mike Moustakas pushed another run across and the Blue Crew had a 2-0 lead.

All in all, Holder (1-1) went a season-high six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out five.

In the bottom of the fourth, the P-Nats would retaliate with a run of their own as the home team put together a two-out rally off Wilmington starter Michael Montgomery. Jesus Valdez blasted a double to the right-center field gap and scampered home on a Michael Burgess RBI single up the middle to cut the Blue Rock lead in half.

Unfortunately for the P-Nats on this night, Montgomery showed exactly why the Kansas City Royals organization are so high on this 20-year-old left-hander. Montgomery (1-0) went seven innings surrendering just the single run on five hits while striking out seven. The southpaw did not allow a free pass either and was in complete control of the contest from the outset.

The Potomac bullpen held the Rocks' sluggers in check for the final three innings as Jesse Estrada, Patrick McCoy, and Dan Leatherman tossed three scoreless frames, but the Blue Rock bullpen matched their counterparts pitch for pitch.

The Wilmington win was the team's 11th in a row, tying a 13-year-old franchise record, and pulling into a first-place tie with the P-Nats as both teams have identical 62-45 records.

The Nats will look to rebound Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET, and it will be Freebie Friday at the Pfitz! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Potomac Nationals 2008 Carolina League Championship pennant courtesy of Ashcraft and Gerel, LLP. Teens, remember to bring your PRTC Teen Summer Pass to receive $1 off all grandstand tickets on Fridays for the rest of the regular season. And of course, kids run the bases after the ballgame 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 6, 2009


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