16 Walks, 16 Hits, 15 Runs, P-Nats Win 9-6
Woodbridge, VA---It was not the cleanest game, but Thursday night's matchup between the Potomac Nationals (24-20 Overall, 10-10 Home) and Salem Red Sox (31-16 Overall, 16-6 Road) turned into a slugfest at Pfitzner Stadium. The teams combined for 16 hits and 15 runs in Potomac's 9-6 series-clinching victory. Neither starting pitcher made it through four innings, Potomac LF Alec Keller had five RBIs, and Potomac had 10 hits for a second straight night in its second consecutive victory.
After the P-Nats fell behind in the top of the first inning in each of the first two games of the series, they nearly fell behind in the first Thursday night. For the first time in 2016, the P-Nats saw their opponents bat out of order and get run out of a potential bases loaded situation. After RF Danny Mars singled and loaded the bases, Potomac manager Tripp Keister called out Brock Ballou and presented the home plate umpire with a lineup card, which featured 3B Rafael Devers batting fifth, despite Mars hitting in that spot. Mars' single was erased, Devers was charged with a putout, and Potomac escaped the first inning.
After the strange top of the first, LHP Dedgar Jimenez (L, 2-3) quickly retired the first two Potomac batters that he faced. Jimenez then walked three straight, before Keller's two RBI single put Potomac ahead 2-0. That lead lasted until the top of the third, when four straight reached against Potomac RHP Wirkin Estevez (ND). An RBI single by 1B Nick Longhi cut the deficit to one, and a three-run home run by Devers put Salem on top 4-2.
Potomac then used four straight hits in the fourth against Jimenez to go ahead 6-4. SS Osvaldo Abreu plated a pair with a bases loaded single, and 1B Jose Marmolejos followed with an RBI double. Jimenez departed after 3.2 innings and was charged with five earned runs. The lefty walked five and gave up six hits in the loss.
Out of the Salem bullpen, RHP Jamie Callahan struggled nearly as much as Jimenez. 2B David Masters had a two-out RBI single for Potomac in the fifth, and Callahan loaded the bases with one out on three walks in the sixth, before RHP Taylor Grover allowed a bases-clearing double to Keller. Keller's five RBIs tied the Potomac 2016 single game high. Potomac led 9-5 after six innings. Callahan was charged with four earned runs in 1.2 innings.
RHP Matthew Spann (W, 1-0) gave up only one run and two hits over three innings in relief of Estevez. Spann walked Mars to begin the top of the sixth, and Mars later scored on an RBI fielder's choice groundout by C Ben Moore. RHP Dakota Bacus came in for the seventh inning and gave up a one-out triple to LF Mike Meyers. Longhi's RBI groundout plated Salem's sixth and final run of the game. Bacus retired the final five that he faced, which included three straight strikeouts in the eighth. LHP RC Orlan (SV, 5) retired the side in order in the ninth to secure Potomac's victory.
Potomac drew nine walks, the second most they have drawn as a club this season. Potomac's pitchers issued seven walks, which tied a season high. Keller, Marmolejos, Abreu, and Masters each had multiple hits, while six of Potomac's nine starters drew at least one free pass. The P-Nats went 6-13 with men in scoring position in the win. Potomac pitching held Boston's top prospect 2B Yoan Moncada to just two hits in the series, as he finished the set 2-14 with a walk.
Off of the series win, the P-Nats will welcome the Winston-Salem Dash to Pfitzner Stadium for the first time in 2016. First pitch Friday night is at 7:05, as RHP Greg Ross (1-2, 1.50) will make his third start of the season for Potomac. He is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 9.1 innings in his first two starts. For the Dash, RHP Matt Cooper (2-3, 3.88) will take the hill. Potomac tallied six earned runs on seven hits over four innings vs. Cooper on May 16th.
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will carry live coverage of the game beginning with the "P-Nats Lead-Off Show" at 6:50. P-Nats Gameday Audio on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network is available at www.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.
Promotions and giveaways highlight the remainder of the homestand. Friday night, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will take home a replica Lucas Giolito P-Nats Jersey T-Shirt sponsored by Sentara. Saturday night, the first 1,500 fans to Pfitzner Stadium can get the first bobblehead of the season, as the P-Nats will be giving away a Bryce Harper National League MVP Bobblehead presented by Cowles Auto Group. Sunday is the Fourth Annual Autism Awareness Day at the ballpark, presented by Lindsay Automotive. P-Nats players and coaches will wear special Autism themed jerseys, which will be autographed and auctioned off throughout the game. Sunday will also feature Bark in the Park day, presented by Ambassador Pit Bull Alliance.
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 five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Potomac Nationals 2016 season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2016 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group ticket 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!
-- Potomac Nationals --