CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Strong Start, Rally in 9th Not Enough to Overcome Miscues

Published on April 9, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WOODBRIDGE, VA) The P-Nats rallied in the bottom of the 9th, but came up one run short, losing the season opener 6-5 to the Lynchburg Hillcats in front of 4,318 at Pftizner Stadium.

Steven Souza drilled an opposite field, three-run home run to close the 6-2 gap for the Nationals. Jeff Kobernus led off the inning with a walk, and Destin Hood lined a base hit up the middle to put two men on base for Sousa.

Lynchburg interim manager Rick Albert went to the pen after Souza's shot and brought in Jason Lowey. The righty induced a groundball out from Stephen King. Then, after a walk to Sandy Leon, Lowey got Cutter Dykstra to strike out on a check swing to end the game.

The P-Nats sprinted out to an early lead. Eury Perez led off the bottom of the first with a single and promptly stole two bases to reach third. Kobernus knocked in Perez with an infield single. The very next batter, Rick Hague, moved Kobernus to third with a double. Destin Hood then grounded out to third to bring home the second run.

But after that, Lynchburg starter Arodys Vizcanio settled into a grove. The highly regarded righty did not allow another hit in his five innings pitched. He finished with a final line of three hits, two runs - both earned - six strikeouts and one walk.

Lynchburg's pitching flexed its muscle for most of the game. The P-Nats went from Hague's double to Cutter Dykstra's single in the bottom of the 8th without a hit. Willie Kempf, David Hale, and Jason Lowey, all pitched well in relief.

Danny Rosenbaum started for Potomac and tossed four strong innings and one difficult one. The lefty faced only one over the minimum in the first, second, fourth, and fifth. But in the third, two walks and an error on Hague loaded the bases to open the inning. Phil Gosselin capitalized with a three-RBI double to give the Hillcats a 3-2 lead.

Lynchburg added three more runs in the top of the 8th, aided by three wild pitches by Adam Olbrychowski.

The P-Nats fought hard in the ninth, but came up just short and starts the season 0-1. Lynchburg is 1-0.

The two teams wrap up an abbreviated two-series Sunday at 1:05. Friday night's game was postponed because of rain.

Trevor Holder will start for Potomac, while Lynchburg counters with Zeke Spruill. There are a few seats remaining, so call 703.590.2311 to come enjoy the Nats' first day game of 2011.

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Carolina League Stories from April 9, 2011


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