Daniel steers Nationals

KINSTON, N.C.- Mike Daniel's two-run homer snapped a fourth-inning tie as Potomac defeated host Kinston, 6-3, on Wednesday.

Indians reliever Chris Niesel issued a leadoff walk to Brett McMillan in the fourth. He retired the next two batters before Daniel sent a drive over the center-field fence for his fourth homer, giving the Nationals a 5-3 lead.

Chris Marrero went 3-for-5 with an RBI and leadoff batter Ian Desmond doubled and lofted a sacrifice fly for Potomac (31-27). Desmond is batting .359 with a .468 on-base percentage in August.

Nationals reliever Craig Stammen (8-6) yielded one hit and a walk while striking out four over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Starter Brad Meyers, Washington's fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft, allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts over three frames in his Carolina League debut.

Matt Whitney slugged a two-run homer, his 14th, in the third and Chris Gimenez went 3-for-5 with a triple and a run scored for the Indians (34-25).

Niesel (3-1) surrendered three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in 2 1/3 innings.