FredNats throw one-hitter behind Sykora, shut out Carolina 2-0
With Sykora scheduled to throw just three innings, the FredNats turned to Bryan Polanco in the fourth and he took the torch directly from his starter. Polanco, who had made all of his prior seven appearances as a starter this season, came in out of the bullpen for the first
Travis Sykora's 2nd Single-A @FXBGNats start of 2025:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 20, 2025
- 9 up, 9 down
- 5 strikeouts
- 11 whiffs (on 25 swings)
The @Nationals' top-ranked prospect has allowed just 2 hits in 11 IP across two levels this season: pic.twitter.com/jUu98Se2YL
With Sykora scheduled to throw just three innings, the FredNats turned to Bryan Polanco in the fourth and he took the torch directly from his starter. Polanco, who had made all of his prior seven appearances as a starter this season, came in out of the bullpen for the first time and posted perfect innings in the fourth and fifth by forcing weak contact left and right.
Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, the FredNat offense finally provided support for their pitchers’ efforts. Randal Diaz began the inning by laying down a bunt in front of the Carolina starter, Travis Smith. He placed it perfectly and would’ve had first base regardless, but Smith picked the ball up off of the third base line and sailed the throw to first, allowing Diaz to scurry to second.
That started the carousel against Carolina. The next three FredNats all notched hits, as Carlos Tavares rattled a single into right field to score Diaz, Nate Ochoa grabbed a single and Vaquero bunted in another base knock. After Luke Dickerson hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, it was 2-0 FredNats.
With the lead, Polanco and the FredNats set their sights on history. The righty pitched a perfect sixth and seventh innings, turning his outing to 12 up, 12 down despite not having a strikeout. Then, he started the eighth. Polanco started by fishing a falling fly ball to right field, diving in front of Nick Peoples. Peoples had to sprint in, slide and spin, and reach out his twisted glove to pluck the ball off the turf and save the perfect game.
Peoples makes maybe THE play!!! pic.twitter.com/hgpKuBqMfi
— Fredericksburg Nationals (@FXBGNats) May 21, 2025
Unfortunately for Polanco, he lost focus and walked the next batter, Reece Walling, on four pitches and it was no more. He proceeded to retire the next three hitters, though, still seeking a no-hitter with one out in the ninth.
That’s when Yannic Walter came to the plate, sporting a 0/10 skid across the last two series. On an outside pitch, Walter reached out and flicked a looper into the left-center field gap, fluttering its way down softly for the first Mudcat hit of the night. Polanco straightened up after, securing the victory despite the tying run reaching base on a night the FredNats were picturing more.
They’d have to settle for an incredibly well-played game that put them up 1-0 in the series in one hour and 56 minutes and turn their sights to Wednesday. In game two, they’ll send Alexander Meckley (2-3, 3.82) to the mound, as he looks to keep the train rolling in a 6:35 start.