CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Edge Keys in Wild 10-9 Extra Inning Slugfest

Published on June 15, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Frederick, MD- The Potomac Nationals (41-27, 19-15) clashed with the Frederick Keys (34-34, 16-16) in a persistent slugfest at Harry Grove Stadium on Saturday night before 9,294 fans, the largest crowd the P-Nats have played in front of this season. Despite allowing a season high amount of hits to the opposition, 20 base knocks, Potomac edged the Keys by one run using three home runs to earn their Carolina League best 41st win of the 2013 campaign with a 10-9 victory in 10 innings.

The Nationals have now won seven consecutive series, and Potomac captured its sixth extra inning victory this season.

Potomac RHP Blake Schwartz got the start and did not receive a decision after hurling 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on eleven base hits while walking one and fanning six. Schwartz allowed one home run to DH Christian Walker, a two-run shot in the 5th frame which tied the contest.

Off Frederick RHP Zach Davies, who like Schwartz did not factor into a decision, the Potomac Nationals tallied three runs in the 4th courtesy of a solo home run from SS Jason Martinson out to left center, his fourth deep fly of the series after a three homer night in the Game One playoff clincher and twelfth bomb of the season plus a two-run single from RF Randolph Oduber.

The Keys returned fire in the 5th to tie the game at 3-3 using an RBI single off the bat of 2B Jerome Pena and the Walker homer, a two-run blast over the left center field barrier. Pena finished the night 5-for-6 with three runs and one RBI.

Potomac RHP Richie Mirowski dealt 2.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and no walks while garnering four strikeouts in relief of Schwartz.

After the top of the 8th inning a total of 13 combined runs came in to score for Frederick and Potomac.

The Keys leaped ahead with a go-ahead run in the 8th inning off RHP Derek Self to take a 4-3 lead via an RBI double to the left field wall cranked by LF Delvi Cid over the head of LF Caleb Ramsey, who came into the game for CF Michael Taylor. The starting center fielder got hit on the right hand by a pitch from RHP Gene Escat in the 7th and exited the contest.

Potomac answered with three runs in the 9th frame to pull ahead 6-4 as C Cole Leonida, as part of a 3-for-5 night at the dish in which he scored twice, belted a solo home run off RHP David Walters (BS 6), who would go on to blow his sixth save. This was Leonida's second dinger of the series after homering in the opener. Leonida has homered in three of his last five ballgames. Then, with CF Billy Burns aboard with a walk, 3B Francisco Soriano blasted his first home run of the season out to right field to propel the P-Nats on top 6-4.

The Keys tied the game in the bottom of the 9th inning as Self would leave the mound tonight having allowed three earned runs. RHP Rob Wort (1-0, BS 1) the eventual winning pitcher, ended up blowing the save as he allowed 1B Jason Esposito aboard with a two-run rocket off the right field wall to score two inherited runners, the property of Self. Wort induced an inning-ending 6-2-3 double play off the stick of SS Sammie Starr with the infield drawn in.

With the contest knotted again at 6-6, the P-Nats produced a four-run spot in the 10th inning off RHP Matt Price (0-2), the losing pitcher of record. Oduber knocked an RBI fielder's choice to Starr at shortstop, a wild pitch on an intentional ball attempt that sent Burns to first base also brought home Leonida, who doubled to get aboard, and Martinson ripped a two-RBI single into center field to cap the scoring and put Potomac ahead 10-6.

A wild bottom of the 10th against Wort brought home three runs for Frederick as Walker lifted an RBI sacrifice fly, an error by Martinson summoned CF Johnny Ruettiger, who walked, to the plate, and Esposito laced a run-scoring single on the first pitch he saw from RHP Greg Holt (SV 1). Holt earned his first save of the season by striking out RF Brenden Webb to bring an end to a wild, back-and-forth, bashfest in Frederick and seal the series win for Potomac.

The final contest of the first-half of the 2013 Carolina League season will be ushered in tomorrow afternoon with a 2:00pm first pitch.

A terrific prospect pitching matchup on Sunday will pit Potomac LHP Robbie Ray (5-2, 2.22) against Frederick LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 2.99).

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming with the P-Nats Baseball Lead-Off Show at 1:45pm in preparation for the live play-by-play at 2:00pm. Broadcast coverage of Potomac Nationals Baseball is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 15, 2013


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