CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short on Werth's Rehab

Published on April 10, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA - The Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals) (0-1-Overall, 0-1-Home) scored six runs in the bottom of ninth after trailing 8-0 and were poised to win the ball game when the rally fell short and they fell 8-6 to the Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Indians) (1-0-Overall, 1-0-Road) on opening night of the 2015 Carolina League season at Pfitzner Stadium.

Potomac's starting pitcher RHP Nick Pivetta got the nod on opening night and did not disappoint, hurling five innings of three hit ball, allowing just one run, walking two and striking out seven. The run came in the top of the fifth inning after a one out walk and a hit-and-run single when SS Ivan Castillo hit a dribbler up the third base line and reached on the RBI infield single for a 1-0 Hillcats lead.

Pivetta would have been the star of the night if not for Lynchburg's RHP Dylan Baker, who threw five no-hit innings, walking one and striking out nine in his season debut.

1-0 it remained with Lynchburg on top heading into the sixth when Nationals Manager Tripp Keister summoned RHP Jake Johansen from the bullpen. After a walk and a strikeout C Eric Hasse drilled an RBI triple into the left-centerfield gap for a 2-0 Hillcats lead. He came home on a wild pitch for the third run of the game and 3B Paul Hendrix lined a solo home run down the right field line for the 4-0 'Cats lead.

A 4-0 Lynchburg lead turned into an 8-0 lead in the top of the ninth with LHP David Napoli on the mound. The Hillcats sent nine men to the plate and 1B Nellie Rodriguez made it 6-0 with a bases loaded two-run double followed by an RBI walk by DH Luigi Rodriguez and a sacrifice fly by 2B James Roberts cap the four run frame.

Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Nationals sent 11 men to the plate in the home half of the ninth. CF Rafael Bautista started the rally with an infield single. Two strikeouts later, The Nats' banged out three straight hits, including a two-run double by 1B John Wooten followed by an RBI single by C Spencer Kieboom. With the bases loaded RF Isaac Ballou drew an RBI walk and Bautista connected with a hard liner that went for an error between the wickets of 3B Paul Hendrix and allowed two runs to score. The rally ended there with the tying runs on base with the final tally in favor of Lynchburg 8-6.

Baker (1-0, 0.00) earned the win for his five no-hit innings of work, while Pivetta (0-1, 1.80) was saddled with the loss despite going five innings himself and striking out seven. RHP Ben Heller (1) came on in the ninth and faced two batters for the save.

Washington Nationals OF Jayson Werth made his MLB Rehab assignment, starting the game in left field for Potomac. Werth was never challenged in the field and in his three trips to the plate he finished 0-for-2 with a walk. His final at-bat he connected with a rocket shot to right-centerfield that was hauled in courtesy of the shift by CF Bradley Zimmer.

The Nationals are back in action tomorrow night at The Pfitz for game two of the series. On the hill for Potomac will be RHP Brian Rauh (0-0, 0.00) facing off against RHP Adam Plutko (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and the gates will open at 6:00 pm. The P-Nats Lead-off Show kicks off at 6:50 pm and you can listen to every pitch all season long at www.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App. 2015 Magnet Schedules will once again be handed out courtesy of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery to the first 1,000 fans entering the stadium.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010 and 2014) and nine division championships. Most recently, the P-Nats earned a 2014 Carolina League Northern Division pennant. P-Nats 2015 tickets are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2015 season and beyond are available. Plan your corporate outing now for the 2015 season to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. 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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Carolina League Stories from April 10, 2015


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