CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Ray's No-Hit Bid Goes for Naught

Published on May 18, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Winston-Salem, NC- The Potomac Nationals (22-20, 8-10) lost for the first time this season when leading after the 8th inning on Saturday night in 10 innings at BB&T Ballpark as the Winston-Salem Dash (20-21, 11-10) tied series Game Two in the 9th inning with one run off a wild pitch by Potomac LHP Matt Grace (BS 4) and won the contest on a run-scoring walk-off single by 2B Joey DeMichele in the 10th frame by the final score of 4-3.

The Nationals are now (3-3) in their extra inning contests and overall this season P-Nats bullpen arms have blown 12 saves in 19 save chances, garnering only 7 saves.

Potomac LHP Robbie Ray, who did not receive a decision after the Nationals bullpen faltered for the second consecutive game, tossed a no-hitter through 6.1 innings. Ray allowed two earned runs on two hits while walking three and fanning nine.

Winston-Salem RHP Bryan Blough made it through 7.0 innings and surrendered three runs, two earned on five hits with four walks. Blough was let off the hook as the Dash scored two runs after the 8th inning to down the Nationals.

The P-Nats struck first with one run in the 2nd inning on an infield RBI single off the stick of SS Wilmer Difo sent to SS Chris Curley to score C Adrian Nieto, who got on board with a leadoff single stroked into center field, one of his three singles on the night. This knock produced Difo's first run batted in as a member of the P-Nats. On the play, 3B Justin Miller attempted to score as well and was cut down at the plate on a throw from 1B Rangel Ravelo after the late reception from Curley.

The Nationals added to their lead in the 7th stanza via a throwing error on a missed cut-off man by RF Mark Haddow on a double sent to the right field corner by Miller allowing Nieto to score. Then, after a sacrifice bunt by 2B Adrian Sanchez that pushed Miller to third base, C Cole Leonida laid down an RBI safety squeeze bunt that summoned home Miller giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead.

Winston-Salem answered against Ray and Grace, in the bottom of the 7th as Ray walked the leadoff man, Curley, and gave up a single to 3B Jeremy Farrell into center field. A wild pitch put both runners in scoring position. RF Mark Haddow struck out swinging before Ravelo blooped an RBI single into right center field scoring Curley and putting runners on the corners. Grace replaced Ray and LF Grant Buckner singled into right center field to bring home Farrell and cut the Nationals lead to 3-2.

After Potomac failed to pad their lead in the 8th or 9th, the Dash scored the tying run in the last of the 9th against Grace with two outs. Farrell flew out to left field leading off, Haddow reached on a throwing error charged to Difo, and Haddow got to second base on an errant pickoff attempt by Grace. Ravelo punched a 4-3 groundout to get Haddow to third base and then Grace with a two-strike count on Bucker, slung a wild pitch to the backstop to make it a 3-3 contest.

In the bottom of the 10th frame against the losing pitcher, RHP Richie Mirowski (3-3), CF Adam Heisler flew a triple into left center field off the wall before DeMichele blasted a one-hopper up the middle that went off the glove of Mirowski and into center field to catapult the Dash to a walk-off victory.

The winning pitcher was Dash RHP Brandon Hardin (1-0) who dealt 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed just one base hit while striking out two batters.

The Nationals have now been walked-off upon twice in the 2013 season.

Game Three on Sunday afternoon will pit Potomac RHP Rob Gilliam (0-0, 2.25) against RHP Myles Jaye (1-0, 3.00) with a 2:00pm first pitch at BB&T Ballpark.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming with the P-Nats Baseball Pre-Game Show at 1:45PM before the live play-by-play at 2:00pm. Broadcast coverage is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 18, 2013


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