CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Shaky Defense Dooms Nats Again

Published on June 30, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, NC- A day after Brad Meyers silenced the Winston-Salem Dash over seven shutout innings, the P-Nats could not duplicate the performance. In game one of their four-game set with the Dash, the P-Nats committed five errors en route to a frustrating 13-10 loss. Tuesday's tilt was more of the same as Potomac could not put together a clean inning, falling to Winston-Salem 11-6 in a sloppy contest at Wake Forest Baseball Park.

Will Atwood got the nod on the hill, and the southpaw had been riding a hot streak over the last couple of months. A closer look at the numbers shows why the Nationals are so high on the lefty from South Carolina. He had a 2.64 ERA the last two months while only walking one batter unintentionally in the month of June.

Atwood (3-6) started out swimmingly on Tuesday, striking out the side in the first inning, but he would run into trouble as the game wore on. Working through consistent traffic on the basepaths, Atwood would last until just the fifth inning, surrendering eight hits and five runs, four of which were earned. Though nothing was hit particularly hard, the baseball found gaps in the Nats' defense.

The P-Nats would actually take an early lead in this affair as Tim Pahuta would knock an RBI single to begin a 3-for-4 day at the dish, and Michael Burgess would continue his scintillating road trip with an RBI double off the wall in centerfield. The P-Nats led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth, but that would be the last time they would hold an advantage.

With runners on first and third and just one out in the fifth, Jesse Estrada was summoned from the bullpen to douse the flames, but the Dash would greet the 6'8" Estrada rudely. Three consecutive hard hit balls would put the Dash up 7-2, and the game had all the makings of another rough day at the office for the Potomac bullpen.

The P-Nats would make a furious comeback in the next half inning, however, as the team loaded the bases with nobody out. Dan Nelson would blast a two-run double off the right-center field wall, and Sean Rooney would follow with another two-run double of his own to nearly catch the sprinting Dash 7-6.

With momentum swung back on their side, the P-Nats were primed to complete the comeback, but they were unable to take advantage of the Dash bullpen.

Brent Morel would blast a two-run home run off Adam Carr in the sixth inning to make it a 9-6 game. Morel would single in the eighth to cap off a 4-for-5 night with three more RBI to his credit. The team would tally a run apiece in the seventh and eighth innings to put the finishing touches on an 11-6 victory.

The bottom third of the Dash order went a combined 8-for-12 with four RBI and four runs scored including a 4-for-4 night from little-used outfielder Tyler Kuhn.

Sean Rooney had another solid day at the plate, going 3-for-4 and bopping three doubles while Francisco Plasencia and Brian Peacock each extended their hitting streaks to nine games apiece.

The team continued to struggle defensively in this series, once again committing five errors in the contest while throwing three wild pitches.

These two teams will play the finale of the four-game series tomorrow starting at 7 ET from Wake Forest Baseball Park. You can catch all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson starting with the pregame show at 6:40 ET.

Fans be sure to come out to Pfitzner Stadium on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day with our Food, Fireworks, and Fun spectacular! For just $22, fans will receive a reserved seat at the ballpark as well as an invitation to an all-you-can-eat picnic at the Pfitz before the game! There will be neverending hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and delectable side items for all fans who order tickets!

After the final out is recorded, hold onto your hats as the best fireworks extravaganza in Northern Virginia will be on display presented by Potomac Hospital. And don't forget, all kids can run the bases after the game courtesy of Glory Days Grill!

For more information on Food, Fireworks, and Fun or other daily promotions at Pfitzner Stadium, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 30, 2009


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