CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Lose Late in Opener

Published on April 17, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- Spurred on by 3, 942 cheering fans in attendance to celebrate the 2008 Carolina League championship at Pfitzner Stadium, the Potomac Nationals jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in their home opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans only to see the bullpen led the advantage slip away in a four-run seventh inning as the P-Nats dropped their Friday night contest 7-5.

Outfielder Francisco Plasencia bashed his third home run of this short season, lifting a towering blast deep into the Northern Virginia night off Pelican starter J.J. Hoover. Hoover, making his first Carolina League start this season, struggled with his command walking five in his three innings of work. The Pelican bullpen, however, kept the Nats' bats at bay holding the home team to just two runs on five hits over the game's final six innings as the Myrtle Beach batters began to work their way back into the contest.

Pelican righty Michael Mehlich (1-1) was the only reliever to allow a run, giving up two in 1 2/3 innings, but earned the win as the Pelican bats rallied in the top half of the seventh inning.

P-Nats' starter Jeff Mandel had a solid showing on the hill throwing 5 2/3 innings, striking out five while giving up three runs (two earned) and scattering seven hits.

Nationals' right-hander Martin Beno (0-1) came on in relief of Mandel in the sixth inning and retired the only batter he faced, but ran into trouble in the seventh, surrendering a two-run double to Donell Linares to push the Pelican lead to 7-4.

The P-Nats tried to make the advantage by the Pelicans brief, as third baseman Stephen King knocked the team's first triple of 2009 leading off the bottom half of the seventh. Chris Marrero lofted a fly ball to right field to bring King home to cut the lead to 7-5.

That was all the closer the P-Nats would get, however, as a combination of relievers Tyler Wilson and Corey Gearrin quelled any attempt at a late-inning rally by retiring the last five Nationals' hitters in order to end the game. Gearrin garnered his third save of the season.

Join the P-Nats at Pfitzner Stadium on Saturday night for Fireworks night at the ballpark. Give them a call at (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com for more information on promotions, tickets, and stats for all your favorite P-Nats players.

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Carolina League Stories from April 17, 2009


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