Stingy Offense Dooms Potomac in Series Opener with Wilmington
Woodbridge, VA-Amidst constant rainfall after the first pitch was thrown, Wilmington Blue Rocks RHP Kyle Smith (1-1), the eventual winning pitcher in the series opener of three contests at Frawley Stadium with the Potomac Nationals (15-16, 6-8), spun a gem through 6.0 scoreless innings in which he allowed just two separated singles, while walking three, and fanning three.
The Potomac Nationals' two base hits were a 2013 single-game low.
Nationals RHP Blake Schwartz (2-1), was effective through 4.0 innings but did not receive run support and was hit with the loss despite surrendering just one earned run on three hits and four walks.
The Blue Rocks struck first with one unearned run in the opening stanza as 1B Daniel Mateo reached on a fielding error by 1B Kevin Keyes. Later in the inning after a single lined into left center field by RF Jorge Bonifacio, Mateo scored on a passed by that ricocheted off the glove of C Adrian Nieto.
Wilmington added to their lead in the 3rd inning when 3B Cheslor Cuthbert swept into a 6-4-3 double play that scored Mateo, who swatted a double to the right field wall leading off the frame.
The Nationals finally got on the board in the 7th inning by taking advantage of a three-base error on a dropped fly ball in right field by RF Jorge Bonifacio struck by Keyes who scored on a sacrifice fly to left field off the stick of LF Caleb Ramsey.
Wilmington added two more runs in the last of the 7th frame to take a 4-1 lead they would not relinquish. Potomac RHP Tyler Herron walked Mateo and Bonifacio back-to-back and then Cuthbert blasted an RBI double to the left field wall to score Mateo before CF Lane Adams lifted an RBI sac fly to center field to summon home Bonifacio.
Blue Rocks closer, RHP Andrew Triggs (2 SV) pitched a perfect 9th inning to garner his second save of the season.
Game Two in Wilmington on Wednesday night will summon Potomac ace LHP Robbie Ray (2-1, 1.85) to the mound to deal against Blue Rocks LHP Sam Selman (1-1, 5.57). First pitch in Wilmington is set for 6:35pm.
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming with the P-Nats Baseball Pre-Game Show at 6:20pm before the live play-by-play at 6:35pm. Broadcast coverage is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com.
The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. P-Nats 2013 season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. Sponsorship opportunities for the '13 season are now available. Plan your corporate outing now in preparation for the summer months as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!
-- Potomac Nationals --