CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Potomac Nationals Game Notes

Published on May 21, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Last Time Out... The Potomac Nationals used an early offensive surge, a great start from Patrick Lehman and four dominant innings from the bullpen to salvage the series finale in Frederick Thursday morning. The P-Nats won just their second game in eight tries against the Keys, and got out of the series trailing in the Northern Division standings by just seven games.

A Walk in the Park... Derek Norris showcased his patience at the plate in Frederick. The P-Nats backstop walked three times Thursday and seven times in the series; he reached base 11 of the 15 times he came to the plate. The Goddard, KS native also homered for the first time in 2010 and stole two bases.

Pat on the Back... Thursday in Frederick was a microcosm of Patrick Lehman's season. The righthander was brilliant at times, unlucky at others, and once again gave up the long ball. Lehman, who leads the Carolina League with eight homers yielded, gave up a solo shot to Bobby Stevens in the third - after he had retired the Keys in order the first two innings. He then retired seven of the next nine before an unfortunate sequence in the sixth threatened to ruin another start. After a close call at first base that gave Xavier Avery an infield single, Kyle Hudson singled and Ronnie Welty walked. Joe Mahoney then cleared the bases with a double, and it was 6-4. Cory VanAllen and Cole Kimball kept the Keys off the board the rest of the way and secured Lehman's second win.

Doppler Experts... The P-Nats were rained out on Monday in Frederick, their fourth rainout of 2010. Potomac, who was rained out 14 times in 2009 to lead the minor leagues, was also postponed because of fog on April 21 with the Frederick Keys in Woodbridge.

The General Storen... Drew Storen got his first win in the Major Leagues on Wednesday night. 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 made his third AAA start Wednesday in Syracuse, and impressed again. In six and a third innings, he once again kept the opponent scoreless; Rochester managed just three hits and struck out nine times. In eight minor league starts, Strasburg has an ERA of 0.89 (40.1 IP, 4 ER). He has struck out 49 against just 10 walks, and has a WHIP of 0.669.

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 last 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 (34) and hit batters (27).† Here is how the Nats shake out against the rest of the circuit in the major categories: Offense: Average 6th (.247), Runs 4th (187), Doubles 4th (84), Triples 5th (11), HR 4th (29), Strikeouts 6th (307), OBP 5th (.333), SLG 4th (.387), SB 3rd (39).† Pitching: ERA 6th (4.81), Hits 2nd (389), Shutouts 2nd (3), Walks 4th (142), Strikeouts 4th (321).

2010 SEASON... Made his debut on April 22 against Frederick; four unearned runs spoiled the outing and Alaniz was charged with the loss... April 30 in Lynchburg, came on in relief of Marcos Frias in the first inning with six runs in and no outs recorded, and dazzled over 4.2 scoreless innings. May 8 in Kinston, gave up a three-run homer to Jason Kipnis that proved to be the difference in the game ...

2009 SEASON... Made 24 appearances (including 10 starts) for Harrisburg... Went 3-4 with an ERA of 4.76 ... August 26 against New Hampshire, struck out eight in 3 2/3 innings and got his second win of the year. Longball was an issue for the righthander; he allowed nine big flies in 64.1 innings pitched.

2008 SEASON... Split the season between Potomac and Harrisburg... Went a perfect 9-0 in the first half for the P-Nats, with a sterling ERA of 2.62 in 65.1 innings, striking out 56 against just 25 walks. Once promoted, Alaniz went 0-5 with an ERA of 3.93 in 13 starts ....

PERSONAL... Threw a no-hitter his freshman year at Texas against Oklahoma and was recognized by the Texas State Legislature. Was first drafted in the 36th Round in 2006 by the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Carolina League Stories from May 21, 2010


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