CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Potomac Nationals Game Notes

Published on May 19, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Last Time Out... The Potomac Nationals lost both games of a doubleheader to fall seven games behind the keys in the Northern Division. Nate Nery dominated in the opening game that was won 3-1, and the Keys scored three runs in the seventh inning to steal the nightcap 3-2. Nery pitched six innings in the opener and allowed just one unearned run on two hits. He struck out five and walked one to improve his record to 3-3. Robinson Fabian was strong for Potomac but could not match Nery; in his second start back from the DL, Fabian allowed only three earned runs on seven hits with a season-high six strikeouts. Xavier Avery went 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Keys. In the second ballgame, Evan Bronson, who was made a late starter after Monday's rainout, had his best outing of 2010. The lefthander held Frederick scoreless for 5.2 innings and struck out six. The Nats took the lead on Mike Burgess's fourth home run of 2010, a two-run shot in the fourth that followed a Derek Norris double. But things unraveled in the ninth. Martin Beno, who relieved Bronson in the sixth, walked the leadoff man in the frame. Greg Miclat then singled and Beno hit Bobby Stevens to load the bases. Cole Kimball was summoned from the bullpen; Buck Britton hit a weak bloop to left that got past Jose Lozada to cut the lead in half. After Jacob Julius struck out, Avery played the role of hero again with a single to right field that score the tying and winning runs.

Keys Unlock the ‘Pen... The Frederick Keys have owned the Potomac bullpen in 2010. Tuesday night, the Keys came from behind to win the second of a doubIeheader with three earned runs off Martin Beno in a third of an inning. In the April series in Woodbridge, Frederick dinged a Potomac reliever four runs in an inning and a third two nights in a row (Dill on 4/19 and VanAllen on 4/20)of work four consecutive outings without allowing an earned run (in three of them, they have gone four innings or more).

Believe the Hype... Derek Norris, who rejoined the ballclub at the beginning of their most recent homestand, put on an impressive display at Pfitzner Stadium. The catcher, rated the No. 2 prospect in the Washington system according to Baseball America, had three multi-hit games, drove in three runs and scored four times. He was also a factor on the base paths; he threw out a runner at second and stole his first bag of 2010.

Singing in a Different Key... The Frederick Keys have been in control of the Northern Division of the Carolina League for all of the first half. The Keys, who took three of four at Pfitzner Stadium in April, are 13-5 at Harry Grove Stadium.

The General Storen... Drew Storen made his major league debut Monday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The tenth overall pick in 2010 came on with one on and one out in the seventh inning. Storen got Felipe Lopez to fly out, hit Ryan Ludwick with a pitch and struck out Matt Holliday to get out of the jam. The Nats lost to the RedBirds 6-2.

Commander in Chief(s)... Stephen Strasburg makes his third AAA start tonight in Syracuse. Strasburg dominated in his second start Wednesday at Alliance Bank Stadium. The first overall pick in the 2009 Amateur Draft threw six no-hit with seven strikeouts. In six minor league starts, Strasburg has an ERA of 1.06 (34.0 IP, 4 ER). He has struck out 40 against just 8 walks, and has a WHIP of 0.647.

Rolling Bones... Tom "Bones" Milone, the P-Nats leader with 12 wins in 2009, has won three straight dominant starts at AA Harrisburg. Sunday against New Britain, the southpaw from Saugus, CA gave up one earned run in seven and a third innings pitched. Over his last three starts, Milone has gone 18 2/3 innings and yielded only three runs and walked none. In 2010, Tom is 4-1 with an ERA 3.14. In 43.0 innings he has struck out 34 and walked six.

A (Bone) Chip off the Old Block ... Last Tuesday, Jason Marquis made his first rehab appearance since going to the DL on April 21 with bone chips in his elbow, and he may reportedly need elbow surgery after experiencing more tightness Wednesday morning after the start.

The Tao of Steve ... Steve Lombardozzi's four-hit performance Thursday night was the first of 2010 for Potomac. During the series with the dash, the second baseman was eight for 16 with six walks and five runs scored. Before a ninth-inning strike out, Lombardozzi had his average above .300 for the first time in the season (.301).

Carolina On My Mind.. The P-Nats rank near the middle of the Carolina League in most statistical categories - with a few notable exceptions.† Potomac are second in the league in walks (164), and lead the Carolina League in home runs yielded (33) and hit batters (27).† Here is how the Nats shake out against the rest of the circuit in the major categories: Offense: Average 6th (.246), Runs 4th (176), Doubles 4th (79), Triples 5th (11), HR 6th (25), Strikeouts 5th (289), OBP 5th (.332), SLG 5th (.381), SB 4th (34).† Pitching: ERA 6th (4.79), Shutouts 2nd (3), Walks 4th (138), Strikeouts 3rd (300).

2009 ... Skipped Short-Season Vermont going straight to Low-A Hagerstown to end the season... Made first start at West Virginia 7/30/09 striking out 4 in 4 IP... Only gave up multiple ER in 4 of 8 starts... Went at least 5 in 6 of 8 starts.. Multiple strikeouts in every appearance and 4+ in all but one start... Did not give up a homer on the road... Made first Gulf Coast League start against Astros 7/20/09 striking out 2 in 2 perfect innings..

PERSONAL... Attended Kansas State University... Dominated in his junior year going 14-1 sporting a 2.09 ERA in 16 starts with a .222 opponents batting average... Threw 116.1 IP in only 16 starts and struck out 100 batters... Named Big XII Pitcher of the Year... Sophomore year struggled going 4-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts and 14 total appearances... Named 2nd Team All-Big XII Academic... Freshman season had a 3.78 ERA in 50 IP and was named 1st Team All-Big XII Academic... Redshirted the 2006 season and was named to the Big XII Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll... HS Louisville Slugger All-American at Humble HS in Humble, TX...

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Carolina League Stories from May 19, 2010


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