CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Super-NAT-ural Slugging Sinks Sox in Opener

Published on August 21, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, and only ten more home games on the docket for the Potomac Nationals, the weekend series with the Salem Red Sox has all the makings of a must-win three-game set. Coming into play on Friday, the P-Nats trailed the first-place Wilmington Blue Rocks by just a half-game in the Northern Division standings, but the team brought their big bats to the ballpark on Friday night, bashing five home runs en route to an 11-0 thrashing of the Red Sox from Pfitzner Stadium.

The party began immediately for the P-Nats in the opener against Red Sox starter Stephen Fife. Fife (2-2) had been one of the top starters in the Red Sox rotation coming into play today, owning a 3.13 ERA and a 2-1 record, but the P-Nats punished the righty to the tune of seven runs on seven hits including four big flies.

Danny Espinosa knocked an opposite-field shot just over the left-field wall, his 13th of the year to give the P-Nats a 1-0 lead just two batters into the ballgame. The following batter, Jesus Valdez, began what would be a career night for the Dominican outfielder, blasting a towering home run over the scoreboard in left for his fourth home run of the season, marking the second time the P-Nats have gone back-to-back in the past five games.

Not content with just the two home runs in the frame, the P-Nats put two more runners on against Fife for Brian Peacock who snapped out of a slump by launching a three-run home run, his fourth of the year, off the scoreboard to push the P-Nat lead to 5-0.

Fife would come back out for the second inning, but he quickly found his way back to the dugout after allowing yet another round-tripper, this time to leadoff hitter Michael Martinez, his third of the year, to turn the game into a rout at 7-0. Reliever Armando Zerpa came into the contest following the Martinez long ball but he fell victim to a barrage of Potomac offense as well, allowing Valdez' second home run of the game, this one an opposite-field monster shot over the right-centerfield wall. It was Valdez' first multi-home run game of the season, giving him five on the year which ties his career high.

With the game already in hand at 8-0, the P-Nat machine did not stop once they reached the third inning, plating three more runs in the frame thanks to a two-run single from none other than Valdez and an RBI base hit from Tim Pahuta.

After the third, the lead stood at 11-0, and that would be where the score would stay for the rest of the contest. Will Atwood was the beneficiary of the massive amount of run support, going the necessary five innings while allowing no runs on just four hits with four strikeouts as well. With the game well in hand, Atwood (7-7) was removed after just 67 pitches to keep his arm fresh for the stretch run to the playoffs.

The five home runs in this contest tied for the most hit by the P-Nats this season, matching the mark from May 8 at Wake Forest Baseball Park in Winston-Salem. The 11-0 victory was also the most lopsided win of the season for the Nationals, and also marked their league-leading 13th shutout of the season.

The Potomac win, coupled with Wilmington's 4-1 loss to Kinston, puts the P-Nats just a half-game behind the Blue Rocks for first place.

On Saturday, fans will be treated to even more excellent giveaways at Pfitzner Stadium. Game two's first pitch is slated for 6:35 ET and GEICO will be presenting a phenomenal night at the ballpark for all P-Nats fans in attendance. Gates open at 5 ET and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a collector's dream, a free bobblehead of former Potomac Nationals starter, and current Washington Nationals ace, John Lannan. You are not going to want to miss your chance to pick up an instant hot ticket item from the P-Nats. As always on Saturday nights at the Pfitz there will be a fanstastic fireworks extravaganza presented by GEICO, and kids run the bases after the ballgame courtesy of Glory Days Grill.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things P-Nats, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from August 21, 2009


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