CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Drop Finale 4-2; Swept in Salem

Published on May 4, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Salem, VA---The Salem Red Sox (13-10-Overall, 8-5-Home) plated two runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth against Wander Suero and held on for a 4-2 victory in the finale to sweep the Potomac Nationals (10-15-Overall, 6-8-Road) at LewisGale Field on Monday night.

The series sweep marked the first time in 2015 the Nationals have been swept and the first time the Red Sox have orchestrated a sweep.

Potomac has now lost nine of ten and are heading home for a seven game home stand vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the first place Fredrick Keys, who were also swept by the Carolina Mudcats to keep the Potomac deficit at three games back in the division.

RHP Wander Suero (3-2, 4.14), who came in tied for the lead in wins within the Nationals organization with three, made his fifth start of the season, going six innings allowing four hits and four runs, he walked a batter and struck out three while also hitting two batters. Suero, threw his first wild pitch of the season and took his second consecutive loss of the year.

Former first round pick by the Red Sox, LHP Trey Ball (2-2, 5.13) got the nod for Salem and held the Potomac bats at bay pitching five and a third innings and allowing two runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out two and earned his second win of the season in finale.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when reigning Carolina League Player of the Week Sam Travis led-off with a single against Suero. RF Aneury Tavarez followed with an RBI triple to make it 1-0 Salem. LF Cole Sturgeon brought home Tavarez with a sacrifice fly and the lead was 2-0.

Potomac's offense countered in the top of the fifth against Ball when CF Narciso Mesa led-off with a single. Mesa had a two-hit game and extended his hitting streak to five games. Mesa stole second base, his second swipe of the game, and scored on C Spencer Kieboom's RBI double to cut the lead to 2-1 Salem.

Suero came back out for the fifth and created a jam for himself by hitting the first two batters of the inning. He then retired the next two batters and with runners on second and third and two outs Travis laced a two-run triple into the gap and the score was 4-1. Travis in the series went 9-for-17 with eight RBIs.

3B Drew Ward led-off the sixth inning against Ball with a walk. After retiring DH Khayyan Norfork on a lineout to right field, Ball was lifted for RHP Tyler Grover. Grover gave up a double to 2B Christopher Bostick and an RBI ground out to RF Estarlin Martinez to make it a 4-2 game.

Potomac picked up one hit over the final three frames and ultimately fell 4-2 in the series finale. LHP Mike Adams pitched a one, two, three ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season and second of the series.

Potomac's LHP Nick Lee relieved Suero and pitched two scoreless innings to close out the ball game. He allowed one hit and walked a batter.

Wilmington comes to town for a three-game series and Potomac will send RHP Dakota Bacus (0-0, 3.21) to the mound in Game One against LHP Luis Rico (2-0, 2.93) for the Blue Rocks.

First pitch in the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 pm and The "P-Nats Lead-Off Show" will begin the broadcast at 6:50 pm and take you up to first pitch. You can listen live at www.potomacnationals.com and via the TunIn Radio App.

Tomorrow night, Cinco De Mayo at The Pfitz, is Tacos and Tallboys Night and also for your ticket price plus $7 you can get an all you can eat menu featuring a Taco Bar, Nacho bar and Fajita Bar. There will be Mexican beer on tap and Lime-A-Ritas available. Gates will open at 6 pm.

The Potomac Nationals play at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League 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. The P-Nats are the defending Carolina League Champions after winning the 2014 Mills Cup Championship Series. Potomac Nationals 2015 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2015 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2015 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group 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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