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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Bounce Back with 7-2 Win over Salem

July 18, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Salem, VA---In a great bounce back performance, the Potomac Nationals (49-42, 15-8) responded from Sunday night's walk-off loss with a 7-2 win over the Salem Red Sox (55-38, 12-1) Monday night at LewisGale Field. LHP Matthew Spann (W, 2-1) had his best outing of the season, while the P-Nats survived a career high nine strikeouts by Salem starter RHP Michael Kopech (L, 0-1).

The night got off to a good, but not so good start for Potomac, as CF Victor Robles was hit by a Kopech fastball just two pitches into the game. CF Dale Carey replaced Robles and scored on an RBI double by LF Alec Keller, as Potomac led 1-0 two batters into the game. Kopech then struck out the next three hitters and limited the damage to just one run.

The P-Nats scored again against Kopech in the fourth, though it was an unearned run. 1B Jose Marmolejos reached on a fielder's choice, took second base on a wild pitch, and moved to third base on a passed ball charged to C Jordan Procyshen. With two outs, C Jake Lowery had his first hit of 2016 with Potomac, which plated Marmolejos and made it 2-0. Potomac stranded men at the corners in the inning and Kopech then worked a scoreless fifth frame.

On the hill for Potomac, Spann was brilliant. In his third start of the season, his 17th appearance, the lefty outdid the highly touted Kopech despite throwing nearly 10 MPH slower than the Salem starter. Spann faced just three over the minimum over six-shutout innings. The lefty allowed only three hits, walked two, and struck out a season high six.

Potomac broke the game open against LHP Bobby Poyner, as the P-Nats jumped on the first pitch in six straight plate appearances to start the sixth inning. Marmolejos tripled and then scored on an RBI single by RF Drew Vettleson. Following a sacrifice bunt by DH Bryan Mejia, Lowery plated Vettleson with his second RBI single of the night. 3B Austin Davidson then singled on the first pitch, and a successful safety squeeze bunt by 2B David Masters made it 5-0 Potomac. The P-Nats added a run in the seventh against Poyner on a sacrifice fly by Vettleson and a run in the ninth against RHP German Tavarez on an two-out RBI single by Davidson. The P-Nats led 7-0 after 8.5 innings.

Following two scoreless innings from RHP Wirkin Estevez, LHP Justin Thomas entered with a big lead in the ninth. 2B Reed Gragnani ended Thomas' six-game scoreless outing streak with a leadoff home run, while LF Mike Meyers made it 7-2 with an RBI single. Thomas gave up four hits in the inning, but stranded men at first and second base and secured Potomac's 7-2 victory.

Five different Potomac starters had two hits, while Vettleson and Lowery each had two RBIs. Seven of Potomac's nine starters had at least one hit, while all nine starters reached base at least once.

Ahead 2-1 in the series, the P-Nats will go for the series victory Tuesday night, as RHP Erick Fedde (5-3, 3.76) is set to take the hill. The righty, just recently named Carolina League "Pitcher of the Week," is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his last seven outings. Opposite Fedde, LHP Matt Kent (8-4, 3.51) will make his second start of the season vs. Potomac. Kent picked up the victory on June 13th, as he allowed just one run over 6.1 innings against the P-Nats. First pitch is set for 7:05pm at LewisGale Field.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will carry live coverage beginning with the "P-Nats Leadoff Show" at 6:50pm. P-Nats Gameday Audio on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network is available at www.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Potomac Nationals 2016 season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2016 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group ticket rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!

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