Big sixth inning sinks Hillcats in Potomac

Woodbridge, Va. - Despite an early lead, the Lynchburg Hillcats were unable to hold on, falling to the Potomac Nationals, 7-2, on Saturday night.
The Hillcats (29-31) picked up just two hits after the fourth inning as Potomac (27-33) scored seven unanswered runs.

Tied 2-2, the P-Nats scored four runs in sixth inning to break the game open and move ahead for good. With one out, Osvaldo Abreu walked, and with two out in the frame, Nick Banks connected with an RBI double to score Abreu and give the Nats a 3-2 lead. Cole Freeman worked a free pass and Aldrem Corredor followed by crushing a three-run home run, his fifth of the year, to extend Potomac's lead to 6-2.
Lynchburg struck first in the top of the fourth inning. Oscar Gonzalez  doubled to lead off the frame. With one out, Jonathan Laureano  blasted a two-run home run, his first of the year, to open up the scoring and give the Hillcats a 2-0 lead.
Potomac answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth. With one away, Alex Dunlap doubled. With two gone, Gage Canning stuck out, but a wild pitch on the punch out extended the inning and put runners at the corners. Abreu followed with an RBI single to score Dunlap, and an error on the play by left fielder Jodd Carter  allowed Canning to score all the way from first, knotting up the game at 2-2.
The Nats scored their final run in the eighth inning on another RBI double from Banks.
Adam Scott (Loss, 3-6) surrendered three earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 frames. He walked three and struck out eight. Hector Hernandez  gave up the homer to Corredor, giving up three earned runs in 1.1 innings with two walks. Felix Tati  gave up an earned run in 0.2 innings while Randy Valladares notched the final out in the eighth inning.
Carson Teel started for Potomac and gave up two earned runs on three hits over five innings. Jeremy McKinney (Win, 1-1) fired two scoreless innings, and Jorge Pantoja and Jhonatan German each pitched a clean frame.
With Saturday's loss, the Hillcats are now eliminated from post-season contention in the first half.
The Hillcats and Nationals will wrap up their series on Sunday with the finale of the four-game series. The Nationals will send lefty starter Nick Raquet (4-5, 5.06) to the mound while Lynchburg will counter with left-hander Juan Hillman (3-5, 2.90). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. at Pfitzner Stadium.
Max Gun and Anders Jorstad will be on the air at 12:55 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App. 
The Hillcats will return home to face the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday, June 13 for a four-game series. Weekend highlights include Thirsty Thursday, Fantastic Friday, Sparkling Saturday and Sandlot Sunday. Friday's game will feature a post-game fireworks show presented by Centra while Saturday's post-game fireworks show will be presented by Hometown Sales & Leasing Lynchburg & Madison Heights.

For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144, or visit the City Stadium box office.