CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Pena masterful in shutout over Salem

Published on August 25, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va. - In perhaps his best start as a professional, Hassan Pena was brilliant Monday night at Pfitzner Stadium shutting out the Avalanche over a career-high 7 2/3 innings in Potomac's 10-0 victory. The Nationals also contributed offensively with a six-run fifth and four-run eighth to snap a three-game skid.

Salem presented no answer to Pena's dominance at any point during the contest. The Cuban faced the minimum through six innings and allowed just one hit in that time. A leadoff double in the top of the seventh to Jhon Florentino interrupted the stretch, but Pena (2-1) effortlessly was able to retire the next three hitters he faced. More impressive, were Pena's career-high nine punch-outs including striking out the side in the top of the fourth.

The right-hander looked strong retiring the first two hitters on groundballs in the top of the eighth, but after consecutive two-out singles, manager Randy Knorr pulled him for Atahualpa Severino. Pena's exceptional outing comes one start after giving up six runs and three walks against the Kinston Indians last Tuesday.

Salem posed little threat at any point offensively putting just three runners in scoring position the entire game. Severino tossed the final 1 1/3 innings to ensure the shutout.

For the first four innings, the Nationals offense mirrored the Avalanche. Corey Bass (4-14) slithered his way through the first four innings unscathed but ran into a wall in the fifth. Michael Burgess and Aaron Seuss smacked consecutive singles, and Jhonatan Solano walked to load the bases. One batter later, Michael Martinez broke the scoreless tie with an RBI base hit to right field essentially opening the floodgates. Dan Lyons was then hit by a pitch to score a run, and Andrew Lefave made it 4-0 with a two-run single to center field sealing Bass' fate.

Jay Pacella took over on the mound and struggled to find the strike zone. Two wild pitches allowed Lyons to scamper around the bases and score, and Brown capped the uprising with an RBI single. With the way Pena was pitching the outcome was all but official.

The P-Nats added four more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Lyons, Lefave, and Brown struck again with three straight RBI hits. Lefave finished a solid night 3-5 with three RBI and Lyons also supplied three RBI.

Jeff Mandel (6-4, 3.94) is slated to start game two of the four-game set with the Avalanche (1-1, 4.99). He will face fellow righty Erick Abreu (6-6, 4.10). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Pfitzner Stadium.

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Carolina League Stories from August 25, 2008


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