CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats sweep doubleheader, series

Published on June 11, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va.- The only thing slowing down the Nationals these days is the weather. After last night's game was suspended due to rain, Potomac responded tonight at Pfitzner Stadium steamrolling Winston-Salem 7-1 in game one and 4-1 in game two to sweep the series with the Hogs.

The two teams resumed action in the top of the fourth inning where play had been halted last night and it appeared early on that the game would be a pitchers duel between Clint Everts and Matt Long. Everts (1-0) started the game in relief for Jeff Mandel and out-pitched his opponent. The former first-round pick blanked the Warthogs over three relief innings allowing three hits while striking out three. The right-hander won his first decision of the season in his ninth appearance of the year.

His counterpart Long (3-8) suffered the loss. Like Everts, he started strongly but the Nationals offense figured him out in the sixth and seventh innings. Chris Marrero started the scoring for the P-Nats with a two-run homer to left field for his 34th and 35th RBI of the season. It also was his tenth home run.

The offense supplied the bullpen with a surplus of runs as Potomac added three more in the seventh. Long walked two hitters to lead off the frame and then Brian Peacock ripped a double down the left line scoring both runners and giving the Nationals a 4-0 lead. Dee Brown and Marvin Lowrance each provided RBI hits in the eighth inning.

With a comfortable lead, the Nationals bullpen cruised through the later innings. Carlos Martinez and Jack Spradlin preserved Everts first victory with three innings of relief.

Game two, similar to game one favored the pitchers. Both teams' starters Craig Stammen and Jacob Rasner turned in exceptional performances. It appeared that Stammen (3-2) would come up on the short end after surrendering his lone run in the top of the first inning after Brandon Allen launched a towering solo shot.

The 1-0 score stood for as long as Rasner was in the game. The right-hander dominated the P-Nats over five innings while allowing no runs and just two hits. But as soon as he departed, the Nationals took advantage of new pitcher Ryan Rote (3-1) in the sixth inning. Edgardo Baez gave Potomac the lead with a two-RBI double in the right-center field gap that scored Trevor Lawhorn and Leonard Davis. Marvin Lowrance then supplied some insurance runs with an opposite-field two-run homer. The shot put the Nationals ahead 4-1 for good.

Stammen, allowed just the one run through six innings as he won his third decision of the season. The right-hander sent down six via the strikeout before giving way to Martin Beno. Beno pitched a perfect seventh inning to notch his second save of the season.

The Nationals travel to Frederick tomorrow to begin a four-game set with the Keys. Potomac will play 13 of their next 16 games away from Pfitzner Stadium. Adrian Alaniz (9-0, 2.62), who was recently selected as a 2008 Carolina League All-Star is slated to start for Potomac opposite righty Tim Bascom (1-2, 4.58) for Frederick. For more information on playoff tickets visit potomacnationals.com or call (703) 590-2311.

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Carolina League Stories from June 11, 2008


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