CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Wilmington Defeats Potomac 8-3

Published on May 5, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


(WOODBRIDGE, VA) - Powered by four insurance runs in the ninth, Wilmington defeated Potomac 8-3 in front of 3,885 at Pfitzner Stadium. Leading 4-3 going into the ninth, the Blue Rocks got a three-run homer from Brett Eibner to ice the victory.

Potomac got to Wilmington starter RHP Greg Billo in the first inning. Randolph Oduber walked and Adrian Sanchez doubled in his first game back from the DL to put runners at second and third with no out. After two strikeouts, Zach Walters had a key two-out single that scored Oduber and Sanchez to give Potomac a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Rocks responded in the next half inning against Nationals starter RHP Kyle Winters. With one out, Eibner doubled and Roman Hernandez singled putting runners at second and third. Geulin Beltre knocked a single to center that scored Eibner to bring Wilmington within 2-1. Kenny Swab walked to load the bases for Alex McClure who himself singled to tie the game 2-2. Whit Merrfield hit a sac fly to center that scored Beltre to give Wilmington their first lead of the contest 3-2.

Wilmington added another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 4-2. Cheslor Cuthbert walked to lead off the inning and scored on an error by Ricky Hague.

Winters (1-4) settled down after his rough second inning by tossing six innings and yielding just three earned runs of the four total he gave up. He struck out a career-high ten batters while walking just two.

The Nationals would get one back in the fourth. David Freitas walked to start the inning and scored on a deep double to right-center field by Michael Taylor to bring the P-Nats within 4-3. The double was the 11th of the year for Taylor who leads the Carolina League in two-baggers.

Blue Rocks starter Greg Billo was solid himself tossing a season-high five and two-thirds innings striking out five. Billo (2-3) earned his second win of the season.

Potomac however couldn't get anything started against the Wilmington bullpen. Chase Boruff recorded the last out of the sixth inning and tossed a scoreless seventh.

On the other side, Wilmington scored four runs in the ninth off P-Nat reliever Shane McCatty. Angel Franco knocked an RBI double down the left field line to extend the Blue Rocks lead to 5-3. Eibner hit a three-run homer deep over the batters eye in center field just left of the 400 foot marker in dead center to put the game out of reach 8-3. It was his fourth home run of the season.

Nick Rogers came on with the score still 4-3 in the eighth and tossed two scoreless innings earning the save. He struck out three of the seven Potomac batters he faced.

Coming back from the DL, Adrian Sanchez had three hits for the Nationals including a double which, along with the double from Taylor, was one of just two extra-base hits for the Nationals. The Blue Rocks were led by Brian Fletcher who had four hits.

Tomorrow the Blue Rocks and Nationals finish their three-game series and ten game home stand at 1:05 PM in Woodbridge. LHP Matt Grace (1-3, 7.36) makes the start for Potomac. For tickets, call us at 703-590-2311.

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Carolina League Stories from May 5, 2012


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