P-Nats Slug Past Red Sox in 9-4 Rout

Salem, VA-The Potomac Nationals (54-37, 12-10) slugged past the Salem Red Sox (47-48, 14-11) on Monday evening at LewisGale Field using a four-RBI night from CF Michael Taylor to win the series finale 9-4. Potomac salvaged a (2-5) road trip. 

Prior to the win the Nationals were mired in a season-worst four-game losing streak.

Potomac 2B Mike Gilmartin got the scoring going with a two-RBI double to the gap in left center field in the 2nd inning off the losing pitcher, RHP Mike Augliera (6-6).

Augliera tossed 3.1 innings and allowed seven runs, five earned, on eight hits while walking three.

Nationals LHP Sammy Solis did not factor into the decision but coming back from shoulder stiffness was very sharp. Solis tossed 4.0 scoreless innings and allowed just one base hit, an infield single while walking one and fanning a pair. Solis has thrown 8.0 innings without allowing a run against Salem this season.

Potomac RHP Richie Mirowski (8-3) grabbed the win with 2.0 scoreless frames out of the pen. Mirowski fanned three and gave up just one hit. 

One run in the 3rd came home for the Nationals on a sacrifice fly from C Adrian Nieto.

An explosion of four runs in the 4th frame put the game out of reach. SS Francisco Soriano sliced a run scoring two bagger to the gap in right center, Taylor ripped a two-run RBI double to the wall in left field, and a hard shot from Nieto forced errors charged to SS Deven Marrero and CF Henry Ramos to score Taylor.

The Nationals plated two more runs off Red Sox RHP Gerardo Olivares in the 5th courtesy of a single yanked through the six hole by Taylor. 

A three run 7th for Salem put them on the board against Nationals RHP Brian Dupra as CF Matty Johnson flared a two RBI single into center field and Ramos belted a run scoring single into right field.

With the Nationals up 9-3, off P-Nats RHP Robert Benincasa in the 9th, Johnson nailed an RBI single into right field which was too little, too late.

After an off-day Tuesday, Potomac begins a seven-game homestand with the Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves) for four games and against the Salem Red Sox (Boston) in three contests.

Wednesday is an All-You-Can-Eat night at Pfitzner Stadium with Uncle Julio's Mexican Grille.

Pitching probables are to be announced for Potomac's series with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming Wednesday evening with the P-Nats Lead-Off Show at 6:50pm in preparation for the live play-by-play broadcast beginning at 7:05pm. Broadcast coverage of Potomac Nationals Baseball is accessible by heading towww.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 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 atwww.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

-- Potomac Nationals --