Mr Smith Comes to Woodbridge, Dominates

WOODBRIDGE, VA - Blue Rocks starter Will Smith dominated the Potomac Nationals throwing eight one-hit innings as Wilmington took game two of a pivotal three-game set 4-0 over Potomac. Smith gave up just a sixth-inning single in his eight dominant innings. With the victory, the Blue Rocks retook the lead in the Northern Division by one half game.

Wilmington got the scoring started early against Potomac starter Trevor Holder. In the first, Adrian Ortiz singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a double play. He scored on a wild pitch. Then Ernesto Mejia was walked and scored on a monster two-run homer from Nick Francis -- his 12th of the year as Wilmington led 3-0.

The Rocks scored again in the third on a home run. Eddie Prasch hit a line shot to right to increase the Wilmington lead to 4-0.

Holder settled in, retiring the last seven batters he faced as he went five innings. He struck out five, gave up five hits and walked two.

Wilmington starter Will Smith did not have any trouble with the P-Nats. He retired the first 15 Nationals batters he faced striking out five heading into the sixth. After Smith retired the first two batters, Nick Moresi broke up the perfect game in the sixth on a single past the pitchers mound into center field. But Francisco Soriano struck out to end the inning.

Joe Testa was effective for Potomac giving up just one hit in three scoreless innings to the Nats a chance.

But the Nationals offense couldn't get anything started against Smith. He ended up striking out 12 including the last five he saw. He didn't walk any batters as the single to Moresi was the only base runner he yielded. He threw 91 pitches including 63 for strikes.

Kevin Chapman came on in the ninth with a 4-0 lead and immediately ran into trouble. Robby Jacobsen worked a walk and scored on a double by Nick Moresi. Chapman retired Francisco Soriano on a grounder and Sean Nicol on a strikeout. Potomac's last hope Derek Norris appeared to pop out to right but Rey Navarro misjudged a popup as Norris got credit for a double and Moresi scored to make it a 4-2 game. Tyler Moore represented the tying run but flied out to center to end the game.

Potomac will try to reclaim the division lead tomorrow night at the Pfitz. Game time is set for 7:03 p.m. as a pair of righties get the starts: Tim Melville (2-11, 5.29) for Wilmington and Jimmy Barthmaier (3-1, 3.63) for Potomac. Call us at 703-590-2311 for tickets and ask about our Belly Bustin' playoff packages!