CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Outlast Hillcats in Playoff Marathon

Published on September 5, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA- The Potomac Nationals (1-0 ) outlasted the Lynchburg Hillcats (0-1) in what became a 14-inning marathon Game One of the 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Playoff Series. Potomac bested Lynchburg, the defending Carolina League Champions, by the final score of 2-1 on a walk-off single lashed into left field in the 14th by CF Michael Taylor scoring the winning run, DH Mike Gilmartin, who was hit by a pitch to get aboard.

Lynchburg RHP Greg Ross had the game in control for the Hillcats with 6.0 scoreless innings tossed in which he allowed just a pair of separated singles while walking only one and fanning a career-high 10 batters.

Ross would receive a no decision after the ballgame went four hours and 30 minutes. This was the longest ballgame played by the Nationals in 2013 by time of game and innings played.

A combined 438 total pitches were thrown in the contest by aN arrangement of 13 total hurlers to reach a victory in the contest.

Nationals LHP Sammy Solis was sharp through 5.0 innings allowing just one earned run on an RBI single softly laced into right field by 2B Emerson Landoni in the 3rd inning. Solis scattered three hits, walked one, and fanned five. Solis also did not factor into the decision.

Lynchburg finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position while leaving eleven men stranded on base. Potomac wrapped the game going 1-for-14 with runners in position to score and the home club left 14 men on base.

Nationals RHP Travis Henke pitched a scoreless 6th inning before RHP Colin Bates turned in three perfect innings.

RHP Brandon Cunniff tossed 1.2 scoreless frames to relieve Ross before RHP John Cornely (BS 1) blew his first save of the season in the 9th inning as LF Randolph Oduber bashed a game-tying RBI double on a 1-1 count to the gap in right center field to score pinch runner, Will Piwnica-Worms, who ran for C Adrian Nieto's walk tying the game at 1-1.

P-Nats RHP Robert Benincasa and RHP Rafael Martin hung zeroes in the 10th, 11th, and 12th innings respectively with Benincasa working the 10th.

The Nationals stranded a pair of runners in the 12th and 13th innings amidst the scoreless drought and the Hillcats loaded the bases in the 13th but failed to score.

The winning pitcher, RHP Brian Dupra (1-0) went 2.0 scoreless innings to become the wining pitcher. Dupra surrendered a pair of base hits and walked one while striking out two.

Lynchburg LHP Chasen Shreve and RHP Nate Hyatt combined for 3.0 scoreless stanzas before LHP Robert Fish (0-1), the losing pitcher, stumbled in the 14th.

Gilmartin was a leadoff hit batter, 3B Francisco Soriano slapped a single into left center field, and 2B Cutter Dykstra got a sacrifice bunt down to move both runners into scoring position. RHP Wilson Rivera entered the game and allowed a fly out to right field off the bat of SS Adrian Sanchez before Taylor smacked the game-winning into left field to summon Gilmartin to home plate and propel the Potomac Nationals to a one-game lead in the 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Playoff Series. Gilmartin and Taylor were both mobbed in celebration as Potomac enjoyed their seventh total walk-off victory of the 2013 campaign.

In Game Two of the 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Playoff Series, the Potomac Nationals send RHP Blake Schwartz (11-4, 2.65) to the hill to face off with Lynchburg LHP Ryan Hinson (4-4, 2.48). First pitch is set for 7:05pm.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming Game Two of the 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Playoffs on Thursday evening with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 6:50pm in preparation for the live play-by-play broadcast beginning at 7:05pm. Post-season broadcast coverage of Potomac Nationals Baseball is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com .

Potomac Nationals playoff tickets are on sale now and fans may purchase the opportunity to watch the P-Nats chase the 2013 Mills Cup Championship by calling 703-590-2311.

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. Potomac Nationals 2013 playoff tickets to see Potomac chase a 2013 Carolina League Mills Cup Championship are on sale now. P-Nats 2014 season tickets and mini plans are also available. Sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the '13 season and beyond are obtainable. Plan your corporate outing now 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 ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

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Carolina League Stories from September 5, 2013


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