P-Nats Confound Mudcats with Five-Run Sixth, 6-5

Woodbridge, Va. - A big sixth inning for the Potomac Nationals spoiled terrific efforts by Carolina Mudcats newcomers Mike Clevinger and Eric Haase in a 6-5 final on Friday night at Pfitzner Stadium. The Mudcats (25-28, 54-66) dropped their seventh straight to the Nationals (27-22, 65-54) and fell to 1-7 in Woodbridge this year.

Michael Peoples (7-8) absorbed the loss after allowing a go-ahead, two-run home run to John Wooten in the sixth inning. He finished with 2 2/3 innings pitched, allowed three hits, one walk and struck out two. Kylin Turnbull (2-3) takes the win with two innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits. Gilberto Mendez recorded his 10th save with a perfect ninth.

Clevinger sparkled in his first start with the Mudcats since being traded over from the Angels for right-handed pitcher Vinnie Pestano on August 7th. He allowed one run on four hits across five innings in a no decision. Working quickly, he kept hitters off balance to the tune of one walk and five strikeouts.

Eric Haase opened the scoring in the second inning with his first Carolina League home run. The backstop scored Alex Monsalve and Joe Sever with a deep drive that left the ballpark into the forest of trees.

The Nationals responded with a run in the bottom of the frame. Estarlin Martinez singled home Stephen Perez with one out before Clevinger induced a double play ball from Pedro Severino to end the frame. The Mudcats tallied a run in the fifth and sixth innings thanks to a double by Monsalve and a fielder's choice grounder by Jerrud Sabourin, respectively.

The deciding frame came in the sixth when Potomac plated five runs. Clayton Cook relieved Clevinger to being the inning. He issued a walk to Isaac Ballou and yielded a hit to Tony Renda. Shawn Pleffner launched a double off the base of the center field wall to score both, cutting the deficit to 5-3.

Following a groundout by Randolph Oduber, Perez lined a single to center that scored Pleffner. The Mudcats lifted Cook for Peoples, but Wooten belted a missile over the wall in left to score Perez for a 6-5 lead.

Potomac limited the Mudcats to one base runner, a walk to Logan Vick in the eighth, over the final three innings.

The Mudcats continue their series against the Potomac Nationals on Saturday evening. First pitch at Pfitzner Stadium is set for 6:35 p.m. Carolina returns home to host the Frederick Keys for three games from August 19-21. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting carolinamudcats.com.