CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Watson wins pitcher's duel with Atilano

Published on August 22, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Lynchburg starter Tony Watson was brilliant over seven innings, and the Hillcats manufactured just enough offense to beat Potomac in a pitcher's duel 2-1 Friday night at Pfitzner Stadium.

Watson and Luis Atilano battled inning-for inning, but it was the Cats' hurler who ultimately prevailed. After tonight's seven-inning gem where he allowed one run on only two hits, Watson (7-12) has surrendered one run over his last 14 innings pitched at Pfitzner Stadium. That success, though, has not always followed the Iowa-native against the P-Nats. On August 4 at City Stadium, the Nationals roughed up the left-hander for eight runs in 3 1/3 innings, but tonight was a different story.

Potomac managed to score its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning without recording a hit. Dan Lyons drew a leadoff walk and Francisco Plasencia was hit by a pitch putting two on with nobody out. During the next at-bat, both runners executed a double steal and Chris Jones' throw to second base flew into center field allowing Lyons to score the first run of the game.

The Hillcats were not faring much better with the bats against Atilano, who pitched five innings for the eighth consecutive start. Lynchburg tied the score 1-1 when Jared Keel doubled to start the bottom of the fifth inning. One hitter later, Danny Bomback smacked a double of his own to drive in Keel for his eighth RBI of the season.

Atilano gave up one run on five hits but settled for the no-decision. The right-hander gave way to Jack Spradlin who pitched well but was hit with his first loss of the season. With the game still tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, Spradlin (5-1) gave up a leadoff double to Brian Friday. Jose De Los Santos then laid down a bunt back to the pitcher advancing the runner to third, but Spradlin's throw to first escaped Trevor Lawhorn. Miles Durham's subsequent sacrifice fly knocked in Friday for the eventual game-winning run.

Dustin Molleken notched a two-inning save for his second of the season. Potomac put the tying run on base in the ninth but could not cash in. Watson and Molleken combined to limit the P-Nats to just three hits on the night.

The weekend series with the Hillcats continues tomorrow evening at Pfitzner Stadium with the final fireworks night of the season. Right-hander Erik Arnesen (3-2, 3.73) puts his winning record on the line against Matt McSwain (0-2, 6.66). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

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