CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Punish Pelicans, Take Series

Published on April 19, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA- An offensive onslaught by the bats of the Nats punished the Myrtle Beach Pelican pitching staff to the tune of 11 runs on 11 hits, leading the Nationals to an 11-4 victory in the rubber game of the first three-game series at Pfitzner Stadium in 2009.

Chris Marrero and Michael Burgess both notched multi-hit games with Burgess breaking out of his season-long slump by launching a long three-run home run off Pelican reliever Thomas Palica.

But the P-Nat offense was paced by third baseman Tim Pahuta who fell a triple shy of the cycle. Highlighting Pahuta's 4-4 day at the dish was his fifth inning grand slam off Pelican reliever Craig Kimbrel, the first grand slam by a Potmac Nationals player since Michael Burgess blasted a bases-loaded bomb off Myrtle Beach in last year's Mills Cup Playoffs. Pahuta also became the first P-Nat player to record four hits in a game this season. Pahuta raised his batting average from .263 to .391 and now leads the team in that category.

The P-Nats had to piece together nine innings from their bullpen on the hill after probable starter Will Atwood was scratched two hours before the first pitch. Carlos Martinez got the nod to start and performed admirably throwing 3 2/3 innings of three-hit baseball while only allowing one run. A trio of P-Nats followed Martinez as Andrew Kown (1-1) got the victory despite allowing three home runs in his 2 1/3 innings pitched. Dan Leatherman and Kyle Gunderson finished the afternoon with three spotless innings sending the Nats' fans home happy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Pfitzner Stadium.

Not only were the P-Nats hammering the horsehide and pounding the strike zone (P-Nats pitchers didn't allow a walk all game), the home team got it done with the leather as well as outfielders Michael Burgess and Jesus Valdez both made sparkling plays on sinking line drives that initially looked like sure base hits.

Though the series with the Pelicans has finished, the P-Nats can sleep in their own beds tonight as tomorrow the team welcomes the Winston-Salem Dash to Woodbridge for a three game series at Pfitzner Stadium. Game time is 7:05 ET and it will be the first Washington Post Dollar Monday at the Pfitz where grandstand tickets and hot dogs will be on sale for the low, low price of only one dollar.

For more information on tickets and daily promotions, call the Potomac Nationals at (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from April 19, 2009


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