CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Salem Breaks Tie in Wild Seventh Inning to Win 5-2

Published on August 27, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Salem, VA-Salem (59-70-Overall, 30-36-Home, 21-38-Second Half) broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the bottom of the seventh before adding two more in the eighth and cruising to the 5-2 win over the Potomac Nationals (60-69-Overall, 29-37-Road, 27-32-Second Half) in the series opener at LewisGale Field on Thursday night.

The bottom of the seventh, where Salem broke the tie was a wild one with RHP Jake Johansen (1-7, 5.84) on the mound in relief of the Starter RHP Austen Williams, who logged six innings and allowed three hits, one run (earned), four walks and he struck out four. RF Franklin Guzman laced a triple high off the left-centerfield wall but was then called out on appeal at second base for the first out. 1B Jordan Betts then reached on the third error charged to 3B Drew Ward and after a fielder's choice ball allowed 3B Deiner Lopez to reach safely, an infield single by SS Mauricio Ramos loaded the bases. 2B Wendell Rijo laced a two-run single into left field to break the tie and give Salem a 3-1 lead. On the play, Rijo was caught in a rundown between first and second base after LF Estarlin Martinez's throw came to the plate. Ultimately Ramos tried to score from third and the putout went 7-2-4-3-2 with Ramos being tagged out at the plate by C Craig Manuel. CF Forrestt Allday then grounded out to end the inning but the damage was done.

Salem took an early 1-0 lead against Nationals the starter Williams, who was making his ninth start of the season with Potomac. In the bottom of the second after a scoreless first frame, Williams issued a one out walk to C Jordan Procyshen. Guzman singled and then Betts took a free pass to load the bases. Lopez then worked an RBI walk, pushing home Procyshen for the 1-0 Salem lead.

Potomac, against RHP Kevin McAvoy (10-9, 3.93), was held off the scoreboard through the first six frames. The Nationals offense generated only four hits in those six innings and had their best chance to score in the fifth. They got back-to-back singles from 3B Drew Ward and SS Stephen Perez to begin the frame. Ward was retired on a fielder's choice ball by 2B Khayyan Norfork and then a double play ball from Manuel ended the inning.

Williams, after walking in the run in the second, faced only two hitters over the minimum from the third through the sixth. Williams finished with six innings, allowing three hits and one run (earned) with four walks and he struck out four. He didn't factor into the decision.

Potomac scored the equalizer in the top of the seventh in McAvoy's final frame. A one-out walk to RF Brenden Webb, who then stole second base, began the rally. Two batters later, with two out, Perez came up and laced an RBI single in left-centerfield to tie the ballgame at 1-1.

McAvoy earned the win for his seven innings of work. He allowed one run (earned) on five hits, he walked two and struck out five.

Salem broke the tie against Johansen, who took the loss, in the seventh before adding two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. DH Kevin Heller walked against J.J. LF Yoilan Cerse dropped down a sacrifice bunt to push Heller to third after he swiped the second base bag and Procyshen brought him home with a sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead. Guzman then hit a ball that might still be going over the left field wall for a solo home run, his fifth of the year, to push the lead to 5-1 Salem.

Johansen pitched two innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits, a walk and he did not record a strikeout in the outing.

RHP Kyle Kaminska (SV 3) came in and pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Salem added to their lead and then closed out the 5-2 win. Potomac did push across a run in the ninth after 1B Grant DeBruin extended his hitting streak to three games with a lead-off triple. Webb brought him home for his third RBI with the Nationals by lofting a ball out to right field and the score was 5-2.

Kaminiska pitched two innings, giving up one run (earned) on two hits and he struck out one.

That was final in the opener from Salem. Lynchburg picked up another come-from-behind win over Carolina so the elimination number for the Nationals is now at 3 with 10 games to play and Potomac falls to 6-9 against the Red Sox in 2015.

Game Two tomorrow night will see LHP Matthew Spann (2-6, 4.67) against LHP Daniel McGrath (2-6, 4.05) for the Red Sox.

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm from LewisGale Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark and you can tune in starting at 6:50 pm with "The P-Nats Lead-Off Show." You can listen live via the TuneIn Radio App or at www.potomacnationals.com.

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Carolina League Stories from August 27, 2015


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