CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Potomac Nationals Game Notes

Published on June 4, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Last Time Out... Fresh off a series victory over the Winston Salem Dash, the Potomac Nationals rode a wave of momentum to an early lead in the opener in Wilmington. One swing of the bat changed everything and was the catalyst in a 4-3 Wilmington victory. A.J. Morris dealt through four innings, the offense cashed in on a defensive miscue, and Potomac led 2-0. But a line shot off the left calf of Morris ended the righthander's night, and things unraveled from there. Three runs came in to score in that inning off Patrick McCoy, and then a fourth in the seventh. Potomac answered with a third run in the seventh to trim the lead to one, but Barry Bowden pitched a perfect two innings to earn his sixth save and lock up the Blue Rocks' victory. The result brought Wilmington into a three-way tie with Potomac and Lynchburg for second place in the Carolina League's Northern Division, seven back of the Frederick Keys.

Special K... Potomac struck out only five Blue Rocks last night, which was a major departure from their recent run. The Nationals pitching staff had been striking out hitters at a remarkable clip over the previous 14 games. With 158 punchouts, Potomac has averaged 10.5 whiffs a game; the Nats have sent down double-digit hitters in ten of those games, including a season-high 20 in a 15-inning affair with Kinston May 24. The torrid stretch has vaulted the Nats to the second most strikeouts in the league (458), behind Kinston's circuit-leading 468.

And Boom(er) Goes The Dynamite... Boomer Whiting has had four dynamic games in Syracuse since being promoted to AAA. Last night, Boomer was 1-4 and scored yet another run. Wednesday, Boomer drove in four runs, hit his first triple in AAA, and stole two more bases. It was Boomer's first 4-RBI game since he did it twice in 2007 with Vermont. Whiting is now 6-15 (.400) with three runs, 5 RBI (in 20 G with POT he had 2 RBI total), two walks and four stolen bases. In his debut Monday, Boomer went 3-3, drove in a run, stole a base and scored. Tuesday night in Buffalo, Whiting scored the Chiefs' only run.

Body By Jake ... Robbie Jacobsen hit his third home run of 2010 in the second inning Tuesday to give Potomac a 1-0 lead; it was Jake's ninth career long ball and his second in as many days. Monday, Jacobsen made a perfect Memorial Day tribute. Robbie's father is a general in the United States Air Force and in command of the Air Force Special Investigations Unit at Andrews Air Force Base.

Yo, Adrian! ... Adrian Alaniz was strong again in his start on Tuesday to further lower his ERA to 2.08. Alaniz was the hero out of the bullpen on Tuesday night with 3.2 scoreless innings. Alaniz has been a long relief specialist; seven of his nine outings have been at least two innings, three have extended beyond three frames, and two have stretched four innings (4/30 at LYN and 5/21 at SAL).

Dials Tone... Zach Dials recorded his first win with Potomac Monday against Winston Salem. After he allowed the tying run to score in the seventh (whom he inherited from Evan Bronson) Dials then sent down seven of the next nine Dash batters, including five strikeouts. The win was preserved by Nick Moresi's outstanding throw home to retire Jason Bour for the final out.

Hot ‘N Cole... Cole Kimball has been fantastic since being called up to AA last Wednesday. In four innings, Kimball has yet to allow an earned run and has only surrendered just one base hit. Right after his promotion, he made an immediate splash, and got a win in his first appearance with Harrisburg. He pitched a scoreless tenth against the Bowie BaySox and earned the victory when Jesus Valdez singled to left. Saturday night, he pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings and struck out two. The righthander was 3-0 for the Nats and led the club with six saves.

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 leads the Carolina League in home runs yielded (46) and hit batters (34).† Here is how the Nats shake out against the rest of the circuit in the major categories: Offense: Average 6th (.245), Walks 2nd (214), Runs 4th (240), Doubles 4th (106), Triples 4th (15), HR T4th (35), Strikeouts 3rd (387), OBP T5th (.329), SLG 4th (.380), SB 4th (44).† Pitching: ERA T7th (4.45), Hits 7th (504), Shutouts 2nd (4), Walks 3rd (174), Strikeouts 2nd (453).

2009 SEASON... Control artist pitched for Vermont and Hagerstown in his first professional season ... Made Suns debut with start at Delmarva getting his only loss at Hagerstown... Didn't yield a run in 3 of 6 starts... Final Start of the year struck out 9 in 7 innings giving up 0 R, 2 H and 0 BB against Lake County.. Struck out 28 against only 1 Walk... Also only had one wild pitch... Worked with current P-Nat Derek Norris on most of his starts... VERMONT: Made professional debut at Lowell (6/21) going scoreless in 2 IP and picking up a hold in a 5-2 win... Made first start July 15th at Jamestown... Final start went six innings without allowing a run against Oneonta... After walking a batter in his first pro inning didn't walk a batter final 26.1 with Vermont ...

PERSONAL... Attended George Washington University ... Junior Year went 7-4 with a 2.40 ERA over 13 starts including 6 complete games and a shutout... 89 strikeouts and 23 walks in 105 IP... Lowered his WHIP to 1.10 from 1.47 and 1.67 sophomore and junior seasons respectively... 8 or 9 IP in his 10 last starts... Only career shutout vs. Farleigh Dickinson (3/8/09) struck out 13 while walking only giving up one base runner (double)... Sophomore year 2nd in the Atlantic 10 with 61 and led the league in strikeouts looking (26)... Six wins in 17 games (11 starts)... Freshman season started 8 games and made 18 overall appearances... 5-7 with a 5.31 ERA HIGH SCHOOL: First team all-state going 11-0 as a senior at Fair Lawn HS (NJ)... 4-time All-Bergan County... As a freshman hit .390 on Varsity.

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Carolina League Stories from June 4, 2010


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