Rain Postpones Morse's Debut with P-Nats
Tonight's game marked 1B/OF Michael Morse's first rehab appearance with the P-Nats. Featuring as the designated hitter, Morse worked himself a walk in his first at bat before striking out swinging in his second at bat.
Potomac was one out away from making it an official game in the top of the fifth before the rain started to fall at Pfitzner Stadium. The tarp was on the field for 50 minutes before the game was officially postponed at 9:12 PM.
Matt Grace made the start for the Nationals and looked strong from the outset. Grace scattered three hits and two walks in his four and two-thirds innings of work.
J.P. Ramirez gave the Nationals the lead at 1-0 in the bottom of the second with a two-out, RBI single that scored Justin Bloxom.
Potomac doubled their lead in the third inning courtesy of some aggressive baserunning. Adrian Sanchez reached with a one-out walk and stole second and third base to put himself in scoring position. David Freitas brought home Sanchez with an RBI single to give the P-Nats a 2-0 advantage.
The Nationals increased their lead again in the fourth inning thanks to a defensive mishap by the Pelicans. With one out, Michael Taylor reached on a walk. He advanced to third base on a two-base throwing error by Roman Mendez attempting to pick him off. Taylor later scored on an RBI groundout by Ramirez to push the lead to 3-0.
Mendez took the mound for the Pelicans making his second start of the season against the Nationals. He allowed three runs, two of them earned, in four innings of action.
The P-Nats will finish tonight's game at 6:05 PM tomorrow evening and play game three of this series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans approximately 30 minutes after. Probable starters for the second game tomorrow night are Trevor Holder (2-0, 6.20 ERA) for Potomac and Nick Tepesch (3-3, 3.88 ERA) of Myrtle Beach. Call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 or visit our ticket page on www.potomacnationals.com for more information.