Wacky, Wild Finale in Winston-Salem Commences with Nationals' 9-6 Win in 11
Winston-Salem, NC---Friday morning, to commence the longest game of the 2014 season for the Potomac Nationals at three hours and 41 minutes, the P-Nats pulled out an 11-inning 9-6 win in the series finale over the Winston-Salem Dash (47-57, 17-18) at BB&T Ballpark to cap a (4-2) two-city road trip.
The Nationals improved to (4-5) in their extra-inning contests in 2014.
The P-Nats overcame four errors, the most defensive miscues committed in one game this year, while Winston-Salem made three errors of their own.
With three runs to break up a 6-6 tie in the top of the 11th on a two-run double spanked to the left field corner off the bat of Nationals 1B Shawn Pleffner, and an RBI single socked off the glove of Dash SS Cleuluis Rondon by 3B Oscar Tejeda, the visiting club went up for good.
The losing pitcher, Winston-Salem LHP Jefferson Olacio (0-5) allowed the three earned runs in the 11th frame and was stuck with his fifth loss of the campaign.
Both clubs endured a one hour, 27 minute thunderstorm delay as pre-game rain showers pushed back the original first pitch time of 7:00pm.
Nationals starter, LHP Matthew Spann fought through his shortest start in 2014 going just 2.2 innings and allowing five earned runs on seven hits while walking four batters.
Winston-Salem jumped on the scoreboard in the opening frame using an RBI single from DH Jason Coats rocketed through the legs of Spann into center field.
Dash RHP J.B. Wendelken went 4.0 innings and surrendered four runs, three earned, on five base hits while walking one and fanning five.
Like Spann, Wendelken did not receive a decision as the game was decided in the bullpens.
Potomac countered with a pair of runs in the 2nd stanza via a two-run double belted along the first base line by DH Mike McQuillan.
The Dash re-took the lead to garner a 3-2 advantage with a pair of runs in the 2nd on RBI fielder's choice groundballs for CF Jacob May and RF Keenyn Walker.
Walker was ejected by Home Plate Umpire Adam Beck in the 8th inning for arguing a called strike three.
Two more runs were plated for the Dash in the 3rd courtesy of a throwing error on a comebacker to the mound committed by Spann and an RBI walk worked by Walker to give the hosting club a 5-2 advantage.
The Nationals struck back with a two-run spot in the 5th inning as RF Estarlin Martinez reached on catcher's interference charged to Dash C Michael Marjama. Martinez scored when Winston-Salem 3B Nick Basto let a ball ripped by CF Cody Dent get through him. A sacrifice fly off the stick of SS Stephen Perez cut the Dash lead to one run.
Martinez extended his on-base streak to 14 games with a walk in the 8th.
Winston-Salem upped their lead to 6-4 using a solo home run off RHP Richie Mirowski slugged by Marjama onto the grassy hill behind the left field wall. This deep ball was Marjama's third bomb of the season.
Mirowski gave up just that one run and was effective in serving as the bridge to get to LHP Jake Walsh.
Mirowski slung through 3.1 innings allowing just that one hit, walking none, and striking out five.
Walsh was dominant across 2.2 scoreless innings in which he allowed just one hit and fanned a quartet.
The Nationals tied the contest at 6-6 in the 7th on a dribbler hit to the left of the mound by Perez that was blazed by Dash 1B Grant Buckner out of the hand of LHP Sean Hagan. Dent's single and the double from 2B Tony Renda both came in to touch home plate.
Dash RHP Raul Fernandez tossed a scoreless 8th inning and stranded two runners.
In the 9th, Olacio allowed three straight baserunners with two outs to load the bases as Perez collected an infield single behind the second base bag, Pleffner cranked a single into left field, and Tejeda drew a walk. P-Nats LF Randolph Oduber worked a full count and chased a low and away fastball for strike three to end the frame and leave all the bases occupied.
The 6-6 stalemate lasted until the top of the 11th when Pleffner broke the tie with his two-bagger and Tejeda provided further cushion against Olacio.
Potomac RHP Gilberto Mendez (6-3) earned the win after gunning through 2.1 scoreless innings in which he did not walk a batter. Mendez allowed just a broken-bat single to LF Courtney Hawkins in the bottom of the 11th and induced Coats into a flyout up the right field line that was caught by Martinez on the run in foul territory to finish the Nationals' wild 9-6 win.
The Potomac Nationals drive through the night this evening to begin a three-game series with the Carolina Mudcats (Cleveland Indians) tonight.
First pitch at 7:05pm inside the confines of Pfitzner Stadium will pit Nationals RHP Brian Rauh (1-1, 4.46) against Mudcats LHP Ryan Merritt (10-3, 2.13).
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network, accessible by heading online to www.potomacnationals.com, will provide live broadcast coverage of Game One in Woodbridge, Virgina beginning with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 6:50pm before the play-by-play at 7:05pm.
Friday evening at The Pfitz is 'Merica Night which will feature hot dogs filled with cash, an apple pie eating contest, Kids Race the Bases during the post-game courtesy of: Glory Days Grill, and plenty other patriotic activities for the whole family.
The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed four Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, and 2010) and eight division championships. Most recently, the P-Nats earned a 2013 Carolina League Northern Division pennant. P-Nats 2014 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2014 season and beyond are available. Plan your corporate outing now for the 2014 season to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!
-- Potomac Nationals --