CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Come Back to Win, Tie for First

Published on August 2, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(LYNCHBURG, VA) The Potomac Nationals rode a gutsy bullpen and clutch hitting to a comeback 6-4 victory in the series opener in Lynchburg that tied them for first place.

A trio of relief pitchers hurled 8.2 scoreless innings to keep the Nats in the game long enough to allow their big bats to drag them back into and eventually win the first of three against the Hillcats. The Nats overcame 17 left on base and a rocky start from Trevor Holder and pulled level with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the second half standing.

The eventual winning run scored on a wild pitch - and the Nats took the lead in the first on a similarly fortunate play. With runners on the corners and two outs, Jordan Wideman allowed a passed ball that allowed Potomac to take a 1-0 lead.

It would not last long. In the second, Jose Gualdron smashed a two-run double that scored Denis Phipps and Brodie Greene. The Hillcats added two more in the third with a pair of run-scoring singles from Phipps and Chris Richburg.

The Nats, lulled to sleep in the middle innings, were jolted awake with one swing of Tyler Moore's bat that started the sixth. Moore rocketed his league-leading 18th home run the opposite way to right field to make it a two-run game. Bill Rhinehart and Sean Rooney followed with singles and advanced into scoring position on Chris Curran's sacrifice bunt. Francisco Soriano flied out to shallow right field, but Steve Lombardozzi picked up his new teammate. Lombardozzi crushed a two-run double off the wall in right to score a pair and knot the game.

Carlos Martinez, who relieved Holder in the third and got a double play to end that inning on his second pitch, went three more scoreless innings to keep the Nats close.

Joe Testa made his Potomac debut and tossed two scoreless innings, and Pat McCoy stole the show with three shutout frames to earn his second win of the season.

The Nats had stranded three in the ninth, but broke through in the eleventh. A one-out double by Rhinehart - his second of the game and third hit - sparked the rally. Sean Rooney was intentionally walked. They both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch by Daniel Guerrero. After Nick Moresi singled on the infield, Rhinehart scored on Guerrero's second wild pitch. Lombardozzi delivered again with one out, drilling a sacrifice fly to left to make it 6-4.

McCoy struck out a pair - his fifth and sixth punchouts - in the bottom of the eleventh and sent down Lynchburg in order to secure the victory.

The two clubs are back at it Tuesday night at 7:05. Pat Lehman will battle Lance Janke; the broadcast can be heard beginning at 6:45.

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Carolina League Stories from August 2, 2010


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