CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Renshaw blanks Potomac in series opener

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


FREDERICK, Md. - One of the newest member of the Potomac Nationals Hassan Pena pitched well in his Carolina League debut, but quickly learned there is little room for mistakes. The right-hander gave up two solo home runs to the Keys in Friday's series opener proving to be the difference in Frederick's 2-0 win over the Nationals at Harry Grove Stadium.

Pena was solid in his first start with the P-Nats tossing five innings while allowing three hits and striking out four. However, the three hits were big ones. Chris Vinyard poked a home run in the bottom of the second inning for a 1-0 Frederick lead. Brandon Snyder doubled the score with a monster big fly that cleared the three-tier signs in left field in the bottom of the third. Pena (0-1) suffered the loss but out of his 74 pitches, 45 were for strikes.

The lean 2-0 cushion was all that Frederick starter Jake Renshaw would need. Renshaw (8-9) collected his third victory of the season over the Nationals and perhaps tonight was his most impressive. The California-native silenced Potomac for seven innings allowing just three hits while striking out five. Just once did he let a Potomac base runner reach scoring position. Brian Finegan reached third base with less than two outs in the top of the sixth after a leadoff single but was stranded by Renshaw.

Potomac's bullpen extended its impressive scoreless innings streak to 23 1/3. Edulin Abreu who was promoted to the P-Nats today with Pena was brilliant in his Potomac debut. Abreu struck out the first five hitters he faced and pitched two scoreless frames. Martin Beno also pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning of relief and the two hurlers did not allow a hit.

The loss sent the Nationals to their third consecutive defeat and just their sixth shutout loss of the season. In five out of the nine innings, Potomac's offense was sent down in order 1-2-3 including the eighth and ninth.

Game two of the three-game series with the Keys is tomorrow night at Harry Grove Stadium. Jeff Mandel (4-2, 3.23) will take the mound for Potomac opposite righty Brandon Erbe (7-9, 4.32) from Frederick. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from July 25, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central