CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Blow Late Lead in 4-2 Loss to Wilmington

Published on May 22, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WILMINGTON, DE) - The Wilmington Blue Rocks used a three run eighth inning to beat the Potomac Nationals 4-2 in Delaware on Tuesday night. For the first time this season, the P-Nats lost a game they led after seven innings.

Potomac starter Robbie Ray cruised through the first two innings striking out five of the seven batters he faced. Ray had a 10 pitch second inning where he struck out the side. Wilmington did get to Ray in the third. With two outs and no one on, Whit Merrifield worked a walk then stole second. Geulin Beltre lined a single to center that scored Merrifild to give Wilmington a 1-0 lead.

Wilmington hurler Yordano Ventura was excellent for the Blue Rocks tossing four scoreless frames. The P-Nats got to him in the fifth. With two outs, Kevin Keyes stole second base. He then scored on a Blake Kelso single to tie the contest 1-1. Ventura did not get a decision pitching five innings striking out nine while allowing just one run on four hits and a walk.

Ray was very sharp as well as he struck out a season-high nine batters. He was relieved in the sixth inning by Rob Wort who got out of a two-on jam to keep the score tied 1-1.

The P-Nats took their first lead of the series in the seventh with Justin Bloxom smacking a double to left-center to start the frame. The next batter Kevin Keyes knocked in Bloxom on a single to centerfield and Potomac led 2-1.

But, for the first time this season with a lead late, the bullpen tandem of Wort and Cameron Selik could not close out a win with a lead after the seventh inning. In the eighth, Wort walked Brian Fletcher on four pitches to start the inning then Cheslor Cuthbert knocked a one-out single to put runners at the corners with one out. Selik replaced Wort and the first batter he faced was Roman Hernandez who hit a ground-rule double to left scoring Fletcher to even the score 2-2. Next up was Alex McClure who laced a single against a drawn in infield to center scoring both Cuthbert and Hernandez to give the Blue Rocks their first lead of the game 4-2.

Nick Rogers tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to preserve the win for Wilmington. It was just the second 1-2-3 inning for Potomac in the game. Rogers (1-0) struck out three over two innings. Wilmington as a team struck out 14 Nationals.

Wort (0-2) took the loss giving up his first earned run sine April 17th at Frederick. Selik blew a save for the first time in six chances this season.

The Nationals wrap up their series with Wilmington tomorrow at 11:05 AM with LHP Matt Grace (2-5, 7.34) getting the start for Potomac. The P-Nats return home on Monday for a seven-game home stand starting with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For tickets to any P-Nats game, call us at 703-590-2311.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from May 22, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central