CarL Fredericksburg Nationals

Solo Homers Sink FredNats in 5-3 Loss

Published on June 17, 2021 under Carolina League (CarL)
Fredericksburg Nationals News Release


FREDERICKSBURG, VA - For the second straight night, the Fredericksburg Nationals managed only three hits and three runs in a loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats. On Thursday, a pair of Lynchburg solo homers proved to be the difference in a 5-3 final.

Alexfri Planez homered for the second night in a row, and Cody Farhat finished a double shy of the cycle as the Hillcats won their second in a row over the FredNats.

Fredericksburg got a short start from Lucas Knowles, who pitched a scoreless first but was replaced by Matt Merrill (L, 0-1) in the second. Cole Daily walked and scored on an error in the first to put the FredNats up 1-0.

Merrill struck out four batters in his Nationals debut, but allowed the Planez homer to tie the score 1-1 in the second and a go-ahead RBI groundout to Angel Martinez in the third. Farhat's homer off Tomás Alastre in the fourth extended the Lynchburg lead to 3-1.

Juan Zapata allowed only a bunt single over 4.0 innings in his start for the Hillcats, and Zach Hart (W, 3-1) picked up right where he left off. The righty preserved the 3-1 Lynchburg lead through the seventh, allowing his offense to add some insurance in the eighth on a Farhat triple and Gilberto Chu run-scoring balk.

The FredNats rallied in the eighth against Hart, loading the bases with two walks and a hit batsman before Jake Randa delivered a two-out, two-run single to bring the score to 5-3. That would be all for the offense, however, as Cade Smith got the final out of the eighth and Jerson Ramirez (S, 5) pitched a scoreless ninth.

The FredNats continue their series against the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday. First pitch from FredNats Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05, with FredNats On Deck beginning at 6:50 on the FredNats Baseball Network.

The Fredericksburg Nationals are a minor league affiliate of the Washington Nationals in the Low-A East League. They are playing their inaugural 2021 season at the brand new, state-of-the-art FredNats Ballpark located at 42 Jackie Robinson Way next to the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Stay up to date with the team online at www.frednats.com and follow the Fredericksburg Nationals on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @FXBGNats.

Check out the Fredericksburg Nationals Statistics

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



Carolina League Stories from June 17, 2021


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