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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Drop Close One to Warthog

June 22, 2007 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA - Potomac starter Justin Jones just picked the wrong time to have his turn in the rotation.

Despite the left-hander's five innings of one-run ball against the Warthog offense, Winston-Salem starter Kyle McCulloch was just a little bit better, holding the Nationals scoreless over eight innings in the 1-0 Potomac loss.

Potomac managed just two hits against McCulloch, who struck out nine Nationals over 97 pitches at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium. The eight-inning effort was his longest outing of the season, surpassing his seven-inning outing June 7 against Wilmington.

Ofilio Castro and Matt Rogelstad were the only hitters to get to McCulloch, with Castro doubling in the sixth and Rogelstad breaking up the no-hit bid with a ground ball to left in the fifth.

"He kept the ball down and threw strikes," said manager Randy Knorr of McCulloch.

Potomac's best chance to score came in the bottom of the ninth, when reliever John Lujan allowed two Nationals to reach base with two out, before striking out Brett McMillan to end the game.

Jones was the tough luck loser, despite just giving up a lone run in the second on an RBI-groundout from C.J Lang scoring Tyler Reves from third. Jones struck out seven Warthogs, walked one and gave up four hits on 91 pitches.

"His tempo's getting better in between pitches," Knorr said. "He knows what he wants to do. He's pretty confident out there."

Potomac got solid efforts in relief from David Trahan and Josh Perrault, keeping the National offense in the game. Trahan worked a scoreless sixth inning, striking out one and walking one before yielding to Perrault for the seventh and eighth.

Perrault didn't allow a run in either inning, striking out two and walking one, allowing one single in the seventh. Eddy Baeza came in for the ninth and kept the game within one.

Despite the team's struggles at the plate, Potomac catcher Brian Peacock showed why he came into the season ranked the No. 23 prospect in the Nationals organization by Baseball America. Peacock threw out two runners stealing, and made a sliding catch on a foul pop-up, nearly crashing into the Warthog dugout up the third base line.

"He's an exciting player," Knorr said. "He's real confident back there and he'll run through a wall for you. He's fun to watch."

Potomac and Winston-Salem wrap up their three-game set Saturday with a 7:05 contest at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium. Ryan Rodriguez gets the start for the Warthogs and will be opposed by Potomac's Craig Stammen.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics



Carolina League Stories from June 22, 2007


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