Hillcats Blank Nationals 2-0 to Win Series
Lynchburg, VA-Lynchburg (65-61-Overall, 34-28-Home, 32-24-Second Half) plated two runs in the bottom of the first and three pitchers combined to shutout the Nationals (58-67-Overall, 29-36-Road, 25-30-Second Half) 2-0 in the rubber match at Calvin Falwell Field to win the series.
RHP Michael Peoples (10-3, 3.55) made his 21st start of the season for the Hillcats and he did not disappoint the first place ball club. Peoples shutout the Nationals through seven innings and relinquished only four hits, two walks and he struck out one, earning his tenth win of the season.
RHP Justin Brantley entered in the eighth and fired a scoreless frame allowing one hit and striking out one batter and RHP Trevor Frank (SV 1) was summoned to close out the 2-0 win, which he did by retiring all three men he faced in the ninth, sealing the 2-0 series winning victory.
Against newly promoted RHP Jeff Howell (0-1, 3.00), the Hillcats scored two runs in the home half of the first inning and that proved to be enough. DH Levon Washington walked against Howell to begin the ballgame for the 'Cats. 2B Claudio Bautista followed with a double that pushed Washington to third. CF Clint Frazier knocked in Washington with an RBI groundout to the left side and the score was 1-0. After a walk to 1B Joe Sever, LF Dorssys Paulino doubled home Bautista for a 2-0 advantage.
Howell pitched six-plus innings and allowed only five hits and the two runs (both earned) on four walks and he struck out two, taking the loss in his Carolina League debut, despite a quality start.
After the two run first, the knuckleballer settled in nicely for Potomac, facing only one man over the minimum of 15 from innings two through six and never allowed a Hillcats runner to reach second base during that stretch.
Peoples faced only three men in four of his six innings and only allowed a man to reach second base three times in the entire game. Potomac had rallies cut down in the second inning due to a caught stealing, the fourth inning due to a 5-4-3 twin killing and in the fifth inning courtesy of a 4-6-3 twin killing. Potomac's last real rally was in the sixth when they picked up an infield single by RF Narciso Mesa and then DH Alec Keller extended his hitting streak to four games with a single to push Mesa to second, but with two outs. 1B Grant DeBruin lined out hard to left field to end the threat.
RHP Jake Johansen came in from the bullpen when Howell ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh. Paulino reached on an infield single that saw 3B John Wooten make an incredible diving stop in foul territory behind the third base bag but the throw was late and then RF Mike Papi singled him to third base. Johansen entered struck out C Eric Haase and 3B Paul Hendrix before he got SS Ivan Castillo to pop out to end the inning. Johansen came back out for the bottom of the eighth and faced only four men, giving up a two-out single but that was it. Johansen logged two scoreless innings giving up one hit and striking out three.
Frank entered for the top of the ninth and inked his first save of the 2015 season with the perfect ninth inning.
Potomac falls, once again, to 6.5 games back of Lynchburg with only 14 games remaining on the schedule and their elimination number is now down to eight. The Nationals were shutout for the eighth time in 2015 and will end the season 12-12 against the Hillcats, their Northern Division rival.
Tomorrow night from Pfitzner Stadium Potomac will send RHP Tyler Mapes (4-2, 2.51) to the mound against the Frederick Keys RHP David Hess (8-4, 2.78).
First pitch from the friendly confines is set for 7:05 pm and you can listen live at www.potomacnationals.com and via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:50 pm with "The P-Nats Lead-Off Show" starting off the broadcast.
Monday night at the Pfitz is Dollar Monday courtesy of The Washington Post featuring dollar hotdogs.
The Potomac Nationals play at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. The P-Nats are the defending Carolina League Champions after winning the 2014 Mills Cup Championship Series. Potomac Nationals 2015 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2015 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2015 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!
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