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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

P-Nats win pitching duel against Warthogs

July 6, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, NC There was little doubt that the Potomac Nationals were struggling the past four days, with pitching, fielding, hitting. All that is in the past now as the P-Nats beat the Winston-Salem Warthogs, 3-1 on Thursday night, getting good results from different facets of the team.

Collin Balester (4-3, 5.35) got the start for the P-Nats and went seven innings, scattering five hits, giving up just one run and walking two while striking out five. He seemed to pitch effortlessly in three different innings, retiring the side 1-2-3. In other innings, with runners on base, he was able to coax ground balls or get a timely strike out.

The only Warthogs run came in the third on a sacrifice fly to right field by the Hogs DH Cory Haggerty.

The P-Nats scored their first two runs in the sixth inning off starter Wes Whisler (8-6, 3.34), who pitched a good game, as well. He had held Potomac at bay for the first five innings, including a three-pitch top of the second.

Roger Bernadina had a one-out walk off the Winston-Salem southpaw. Devin Ivany followed that up with a base hit to right to put runners on the corners. Tony Blanco then hit a double to right-center that scored both runners making it 2-1, Potomac.

For good measure, and a little insurance, Cristian Guerrero led off the top of the ninth with a triple to deep center off reliever Fernando Hernandez. Marcos Yepez then sent a liner to left to pick up Guerrero.

Alex Morales pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the P-Nats, picking up the hold, while Juan Ovalles picked up his fifth save of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth.

The P-Nats and Hogs play the rubber game of the three-game series on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Ernie Shore Field. Left-hander Jon Felfeldi (1-3, 5.19) gets the start for the Nationals, who with tonight's win, moved to 5-8 in the second half (38-45 overall). The Warthogs will send Adam Russell (6-3, 2.77) to the hill.

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