CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Drop Series Finale in Salem 3-1

Published on July 23, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Salem, VA - The Potomac Nationals (13-17, 50-47) suffered a loss in the series finale against the Salem Red Sox (16-15, 48-51), a 3-1 defeat on Monday afternoon. The loss snapped a season-high five-game winning streak for The Red, White, & Blue.

Salem RHP Tanner Houck (W, 5-11) stymied the P-Nats offense in the win, allowing just one run (unearned) on three hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out eight batters on the day, his second highest strikeout total in the 2018 season.

After two scoreless inning from both sides to start off the day, Salem scored two runs against Potomac starter Kyle Johnston (L, 1-1) in the bottom of the third. CF Chris Madera drew a walk to lead off the inning and scored on an RBI double from SS C.J. Chatham. After Chatham moved to third on a balk from Johnston, 3B Bobby Dalbec lifted a sacrifice fly to center to give Salem a 2-0 advantage.

Salem continued their offensive performance with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, 1B Jerry Downs turned around a 1-1 offering from Johnston for a solo home run (7). The fourth would be Johnston's final inning, as the righty was replaced by LHP Matthew Crownover in the fifth. Johnston went 4.0 innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three and walking two.

Potomac answered in the top of the sixth, breaking the shutout against Houck. After picking up a leadoff strikeout, Houck fielded a bunt from CF Jack Sundberg and launched the throw down the right field line, allowing Sundberg to advance to second. The next batter, DH Ian Sagdal, connected on a double to drive in the run. Sagdal's third base hit of the day made it a 3-1 game.

Crownover returned from the disabled list and made his first bullpen appearance of the season for The P-Nats. The lefty was sharp, allowing just one hit and striking out two in three scoreless innings.

Salem's bullpen picked up where Houck left off, firing the final three innings in scoreless fashion. RHP Joan Martinez was first in line, striking out the side in both the seventh and eighth. RHP Harrison Cooney (SV, 2) issued a leadoff walk to Sagdal, but retired the next three Potomac batters to preserve the win.

The P-Nats return home for a six-game home stand, beginning with a three-game series against the Buies Creek Astros on Tuesday night. In the series opener, LHP Nick Raquet (1-1, 7.00) will take the ball for the Potomac Nationals. Raquet gave up one run over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 5-1 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Buies Creek has not yet announced a starter for tomorrow.

First pitch at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium on Tuesday is set for 7:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:50pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com, at http://bit.ly/P-NatsBroadcast, or on the TuneIn Radio App.

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Carolina League Stories from July 23, 2018


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