CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Three-Run Fourth, Fortunate Ninth Highlight 4-3 P-Nats Win

Published on August 18, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WOODBRIDGE, VA) With two outs in the ninth inning on Thursday night at Pfitzner Stadium and the tying run at third base, pinch-hitter Kevin Dubler hit a ball deep in the hole at shortstop. Dubler looked as if he might have beaten Francisco Soriano's throw to first to tie the game, but was rung up to end the ballgame and preserve a 4-3 Potomac win over the Winston-Salem Dash.

The debatable call at first closed out another stressful ninth inning for Hector Nelo, who had allowed a one-out double to Nick Ciolli and thrown a wild pitch to move Ciolli to third with one out. Nelo struck out Mike Blanke for the second out to bring up Dubler, who was riding a nine-game hitting streak. Soriano did well to field the ball at short and made an accurate throw to first.

The Nationals were in a position to hang on thanks to a three-run fourth. After Steven Souza struck out to open the inning, the Nats strung together five straight hits against Dash starter Cameron Bayne (11-6). After Sandy Leon singled, Zach Walters doubled to drive in his second run since joining Potomac and tie the game. Jose Lozada then tripled to score Walters, and came home on a Sean Nicol to center field. That pushed the Nationals ahead 3-1.

The Dash had taken a lead in the third inning off Sammy Solis, who returned from the Disabled List and made his first start since August 2nd. Solis was in trouble in each of the first two innings, but a pair of strikeouts ended the first and a double play capped the second. In the third Tyler Saladino's second double of the night with one out became a run when Jared Mitchell singled to right and the Dash led 1-0. Another double play ended the third inning and Solis's outing.

Cameron Selik followed Solis to the mound and allowed a run over an inning and a third. A one-out single was cashed in by Saladino, who tripled for his third extra base hit of the game.

The Nats jumped back in front by two in the sixth inning. Nicol walked with one out, and scored when Francisco Soriano hit a ball inside the bag at first that rolled all the way to the corner in right field.

The Dash got a run back in the seventh on Kyle Colligan's sixth home run. In the eighth, Nationals manager Matt LeCroy played bullpen matchups to perfection. Joe Testa struck out lefthanders Mitchell and Andy Wilkins, and Marcos Frias punched out righty Ian Gac.

The clubs play the second of a four-game series Friday night. Paul Demny squares off against Jake Petricka at 7:05 P.M.

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Carolina League Stories from August 18, 2011


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