CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Salvage Finale In Frederick

May 20, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(FREDERICK, MD) The Potomac Nationals used an early offensive surge, a great start from Patrick Lehman and three dominant innings from the bullpen to salvage the series finale in Frederick Thursday morning. The P-Nats won just their second game in eight tries against the Keys, and got out of the series trailing in the Northern Division standings by just seven games.

The Nats got on the board right out of the gates. With the bases loaded and one out, Tim Pahuta hit a two-run double to right and Robby Jacobsen drove in the third run with a grounder to short.

Spotted a three-run lead, Lehman retired the first six Keys batters on 14 pitches. A Brian Peacock double in the second frame made it 4-0, and Bill Rhinehart's second 2010 home run in the third gave the Nats a 5-0 lead.

The Keys scored first in the third inning with Bobby Stevens' leadoff home run. Lehman then retired six of the next eight and kept Frederick scoreless. The Nats padded their lead with Tim Pahuta's tenth homer in the fifth. Lehman allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom half but three pitches later (after a double play and a groundout) Lehman was out of the jam.

A fluky sixth chased Lehman and made the game closer. After a close call at first base that gave Xavier Avery an infield single, Kyle Hudson singled and Ronnie Welty walked. Joe Mahoney then cleared the bases with a double, and it was 6-4. Lehman's day was finished and Cory VanAllen came in to the ballgame. Stevens singled to center to cut the lead to one before VanAllen escaped.

VanAllen pitched a perfect seventh; the Nats added an insurance run in the eighth on a Robby Jacobsen double. Cole Kimball then shut the Keys down for two innings to earn his sixth save.

The Nationals head south to Salem for a three-game set beginning Friday night. The opener will be played Friday at 7:05 P.M.

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