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CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Stevenson and Marm Olejos Homer in Potomac's 5-2 Win

May 26, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA - Courtesy of two home runs, the Potomac Nationals (23-20 Overall, 9-10 Home) leveled their first 2016 series with the league leading Salem Red Sox (31-15 Overall, 16-5 Road) with a 5-2 victory. 1B Jose Marmolejos hit a two-run home run in the first inning off of Salem LHP Jalen Beeks (L, 4-2), and CF Andrew Stevenson led off the bottom of the third inning with his first home run of the season. RHP Phillips Valdez (W, 5-2) did not allow an earned run or walk a batter over six innings in the Potomac win.

For the second straight night, the Red Sox struck in the top of the first inning. 2B Yoan Moncada led off the game against Valdez with a single and moved to second base on a fielder's choice groundout by SS Mauricio Dubon, paired with a fielding error by Potomac 2B Bryan Mejia. RF Mike Meyers followed with a groundout, which allowed Moncada to get to third base, and 1B Nick Longhi made it 1-0 Salem with a sacrifice fly, his team-leading 31st RBI of the season.

Just as quickly as the Red Sox had scored, the P-Nats offense came alive. After SS Osvaldo Abreu singled against Beeks with one out in the first inning, Marmolejos launched his sixth home run of the season. It was the first home run that Beeks had allowed to a left-handed hitter in his first nine starts. Marmolejos' home run made it 2-1 Potomac after one inning.

After both pitchers worked a scoreless second frame, both allowed a run in the third inning. Dubon reached with one out in the top of the frame on Mejia's second error of the game, and went to third base on a single by Meyers. With Longhi at the plate, Meyers broke from second base, and on the throw from Potomac C Raudy Read, Dubon took off from third base. Mejia cut off the throw to second base but never made the throw back to the plate, as Salem pulled off the double steal and tied the game at two.

The tie lasted just a few pitches into the home half of the third inning, as Stevenson tallied his first home run of the season, the second left-handed batter to homer off of Beeks in the game. Stevenson's leadoff home run, the eventual winning run, was the last run scored until the home half of the eighth inning.

Valdez was great over the quality outing, as both runs he allowed were unearned due to the two errors by Mejia. The righty struck out six in his fourth quality start of the season, all of which have come in his past five outings. Beeks also got credit for the quality start, but the two home runs led to just his second loss of the season.

Potomac capped off the scoring vs. RHP Mario Alcantara in the eighth inning. One-out walks to Abreu and Marmolejos put runners on first and second for Read. The Potomac catcher doubled into the right-centerfield gap and plated both runners, as the P-Nats led 5-2 after eight innings. Potomac RHP Matt Belisle pitched a scoreless seventh frame on rehab from the Washington Nationals and RHP Dakota Bacus struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning. RHP Ryan Brinley (SV, 7) walked one, but struck out Moncada and got Dubon to fly out to end the game and even the series.

In the loss, Salem left nine men on base and went just 1-12 with men in scoring position. Seven different Red Sox players had a single hit but no one had multiple hits. For Potomac, Abreu and Read each had three hits, part of a 10-hit night.

The teams are set to meet in the rubber match of the series Thursday night, as RHP Wirkin Estevez (0-3, 4.41) will get the start for Potomac. LHP Dedgar Jimenez (2-2, 5.75) is set to start for the Red Sox. First pitch at Pfitzner Stadium is scheduled for 7:05.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will carry live coverage of the game beginning with the "P-Nats Lead-Off Show" at 6:50. P-Nats Gameday Audio on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network is available at www.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.

Promotions and giveaways highlight the remainder of the homestand. Friday night, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will take home a replica Lucas Giolito P-Nats Jersey T-Shirt sponsored by Sentara. Saturday night, the first 1,500 fans to Pfitzner Stadium can get the first bobblehead of the season, as the P-Nats will be giving away a Bryce Harper National League MVP Bobblehead presented by Cowles Auto Group. Sunday is the Fourth Annual Autism Awareness Day at the ballpark, presented by Lindsay Automotive. P-Nats players and coaches will wear special Autism themed jerseys, which will be autographed and auctioned off throughout the game. Sunday will also feature Bark in the Park day, presented by Ambassador Pit Bull Alliance.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Potomac Nationals 2016 season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2016 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group ticket rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!

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