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Potomac Nationals

P-Nats Waste Comeback, Lose 2-1

August 8, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(Woodbridge, VA) The Potomac Nationals were unable to capitalize on a seventh-inning rally Monday evening and fell to the Salem Red Sox 2-1.

Both starting pitchers failed to find their control in the early innings of Game One of this three-game series between the two clubs.

Potomac's hurler, Paul Demny, retired the first two batters of the game, but then lost his control and hit consecutive batters, which were followed by a wild pitch and a walk to load the bases. An infield single by Jorge Padron then scored the opening run of the game to put Salem ahead 1-0.

Demny got some help by newcomer Archie Gilbert when Shannon Wilkerson smacked the ball toward the right center gap. Gilbert used his speed to make the running catch in-stride to end the early threat with minimal damage.

Denmy's counterpart, Chris Hernandez, also struggled with his control in the first when he walked Destin Hood then threw two consecutive wild pitches, which advanced Hood to third. Hernandez buckled down, however, and struck out Justin Bloxom to end the inning.

The Nationals continued to get into jams through the next four innings, but Demny was able to recover without surrendering another run. Demny left the game with five innings pitched, one run, one strike out and five walks. Trevor Holder relieved Demny in the sixth and threw two strong innings with only one hit surrendered and three strikeouts.

Potomac's answer came in the seventh inning when Zach Walters led off the inning with an infield single. Walters advanced to second on a one out walk by Steven Souza and then to third on a fly out to right by Eury Perez. With runners on the corners and two outs, Francisco Soriano rose to the occasion and smacked a single into right, which scored Walters and tied the game.

The tie was short-lived for the Nationals, however, when the Red Sox answered with a run of their own in the ninth. After tossing a strong eighth inning, P-Nats reliever Joe Testa had an uncharacteristically shaky ninth inning. After a bunt single by Josue Peley and a sacrifice bunt by Derrik Gibson, Testa got some help by a base running error by Peley.

With Peley on second, Peter Hissey hit a ground ball to Testa and looked over at Peley who was halfway between second and third. Testa caught Peley in a rundown and was tagged out. But Hissey, who reached first safely on the play, scored the game winning run two batters later on a single by Bryce Brentz.

Salem reliever Chris Martin put a bow on his relief effort in the ninth when he struck out the side to end the game. He finished the game with four innings pitched, gave up two hits, one run and struck out five batters.

Martin (2-1) earned the win in the contest and Testa (5-2) received the loss.

Potomac continues their seven-game homestand tomorrow against Salem at 12:05 P.M. Probable pitchers for tomorrow's contest are Cameron Selik (4-7) for the P-Nats and Stolmy Pimentel (1-3) for the Sox.

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