Dupra and Perez Tame Hillcats in 4-2 Victory
Lynchburg, VA-The Potomac Nationals (11-7, 7-4) tamed the Lynchburg Hillcats (9-9, 4-6) on Monday evening in the Game Four finale winning 4-2 at Lynchburg City Stadium on Calvin Falwell Field to earn a two game lead over the Hillcats in the First-Half Carolina League Northern Division race.
The Nationals scored first with an RBI double shot to the left field corner by DH Oscar Tejeda to make the Nationals (9-0) on the 2014 season jumping on the scoreboard before their opposition.
Lynchburg RHP Greg Ross (1-1) was the losing pitcher despite spinning a quality start after surrendering three earned runs on five base hits in 6.0 innings.
Potomac added one run in the 3rd to take a 2-0 lead via a leadoff double from C Cole Leonida to the gap in left center field before CF Randolph Oduber lofted an RBI sacrifice fly.
P-Nats LHP Brett Mooneyham threw 32 pitches in the 3rd inning and was lifted after giving up two earned runs on one hit while walking four in 2.2 innings. He did not receive a decision.
The winning pitcher, RHP Brian Dupra (3-0) was phenomenal out of the bullpen tossing 4.1 scoreless stanzas, allowing just one base hit and fanning six without walking a batter.
The Hillcats fought back with two runs in their half of the 3rd inning when CF Kyle Wren knocked an RBI single on the ground into right field and Dupra hit 1B Edison Sanchez with the bases loaded allowing SS Daniel Castro, who walked, to score.
Potomac SS Stephen Perez led off the 5th with a two-bagger into the right field corner and scored on a 5-3 groundout by Leonida to give the Nationals a 3-2 edge.
Perez cranked a solo home run to propel the Nationals to a two-run cushion, his first dinger of the season, that whistled by the right field foul pole in the 7th off RHP Nate Hyatt. That was the first homer Hyatt allowed in 2014.
Nationals RHP Dakota Bacus (SV 1) earned a two-inning save, his first in 2014, by tossing 2.0 scoreless frames overcoming two hits allowed.
Castro flew out to left field to end the game and give the Nationals their 11th victory of the 2014 campaign.
The Nationals will begin a seven-game homestand on Wednesday, April 23rd as the Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox) will invade G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium for a three game series before the P-Nats host Lynchburg in a four-game set.
In Game One, the Nationals will throw RHP Pedro Encarnacion (1-1, 4.05) against Dash RHP Tony Bucciferro (0-2, 3.63).
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network, which is accessible at www.potomacnationals.com, will broadcast the series opener on Wednesday night beginning with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 6:50pm before the live play-by-play at 7:05pm.
Wednesday at Pfitzner Stadium will be a Bellybuster Wednesday in which fans may purchase an all-you-can-eat add-on to their ticket at the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office to take advantage of the buffet within the WashMyDeck Picnic Area.
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. The Potomac Nationals have claimed four Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, and 2010) and eight division championships. Most recently, the P-Nats earned a 2013 Carolina League Northern Division pennant. P-Nats 2014 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2014 season and beyond are available. Plan your corporate outing now for the 2014 season to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz 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 Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!
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