Keyes, Bullpen Beat Salem 5-2
The P-Nats got the scoring going in the second by taking their first lead of the series against Salem. Zach Walters singled and Justin Bloxom walked with two outs in the inning off starter Ryan Pressly. On the first pitch he saw, Kevin Keyes hit a monster homer out to left-center field scoring Walters and Bloxom to give Potomac a 3-0 lead. It was the team-leading sixth home run of the season for Keyes.
Again in the fifth Keyes was in the middle of a P-Nat rally. Bloxom doubled then scored on a Keyes double off the left field wall to extend the lead to 4-0. Adrian Sanchez knocked in Keyes with a single with two outs and Potomac led 5-0. The hit extended Sanchez to nine straight starts with a hit.
Salem finally put a crooked number on the board in the fifth off P-Nat start Matt Swynenberg who had evaded trouble in the first four including leaving the bases loaded in the opening frame. Sean Coyle doubled in Jackie Bradley Jr. for the first run of the contest for Salem. Coyle then scored on a single by Brandon Jacobs to cut the P-Nat lead to 5-2.
Swynenberg's day ended after the fifth giving up seven hits, two runs, walking two and striking out two. He would earn the victory -- his team leading third in six starts.
Again the Potomac bullpen tandem of Rob Wort and Cameron Selik were dominant. Wort tossed two scoreless frames striking out five batters. Wort, who hasn't given up an earned run since April 17th, has struck out 15 batters in his last four appearances -- six and a third innings. Selik tossed two perfect innings which included three strike outs for his fourth save in as many tries.
Kevin Keyes had his hand in all five runs for Potomac going 2-for-3.
Tomorrow Potomac makes their first ever trip to Zebulon, NC to take on the Carolina Mudcats. The Nationals will send RHP Kyle Winters (1-4, 5.51) to the hill for a 7:15 PM start. The P-Nats return home Monday, May 14th to take on the Frederick Keys which starts up a seven-game home stand. For tickets, call us at 703-590-2311.