P-Nats Take Opener 3-2 Over Hillcats, Washed Out in Nightcap
Lynchburg, VA-The Potomac Nationals (68-53, 30-22) clipped the Lynchburg Hillcats (62-64, 28-28) 3-2 on Tuesday evening in Game One of a planned doubleheader on Calvin Falwell Field inside Lynchburg City Stadium on the strength of a clutch two-run triple ripped to the right field corner by LF Mike McQuillan in the P-Nats' three-run 5th frame.
With the victory, the Nationals have now won four consecutive one-run contests.
The twin bill nightcap was postponed due to rainfall to tomorrow at 6:05pm. A couple of seven-innings standoffs will serve as series Game Two and Game Three.
Lynchburg struck first blood with a run in the opening inning against Nationals starter, LHP Hector Silvestre. Hillcats CF Daniel Carroll nailed a double down the left field line and later scored on an RBI sacrifice fly cranked to the warning track in right field by DH Jose Martinez.
Silvestre did not pitch long enough to receive a decision but was effective allowing just one earned run in 4.0 innings on six base hits while striking out a pair without walking a batter.
A scoreless stalemate last until the 5th stanza as Hillcats starting hurler, LHP Daniel Watts kept Potomac at bay. Watts gunned through 4.0 scoreless frames and surrendered just a broken bat single up the middle to RF Brandon Miller. Watts walked none and fanned a quartet.
The red, white, and blue put up a three-run spot against LHP Brady Feigl (2-2), who took the loss. Feigl gave up an RBI fielder's choice on a "Baltimore chop" to DH Estarlin Martinez and on the play, 3B Khayyan Norfork was safe at third base on an evasive headlong dive. Norfork and Martinez came in to score on McQuillan's two-RBI three-bagger to give the Nationals a 3-1 edge.
Potomac RHP Travis Henke (4-1) was the winning pitcher coming out of the bullpen. Henke dealt 1.2 innings and allowed one earned run on four hits. In the 6th, SS Johan Camargo nailed an RBI single through the deep hole at second base to plate 3B Kevin Ahrens, who cranked his league-leading 36th double to get aboard cutting the P-Nats' lead to 3-2.
Nationals RHP Gilberto Mendez (SV 12) got the final out of the 6th inning via a flyout to right field by Lynchburg LF Blake Brown. Mendez shut the door in the 7th to garner his staff-best 12th save when Carroll popped out to Norfork in foul ground on the third base side, 2B Emerson Landoni skied out to left field, Martinez served a single into right field, and former Potomac National, 1B Justin Bloxom popped out to 1B John Wooten to end the game.
The Nationals will throw RHP Dakota Bacus (4-6, 4.65) in Game One and LHP Kylin Turnbull (2-3, 5.54) in the backend ballgame.
Lynchburg's pitching probables are RHP Wes Parsons (4-5, 4.52) and LHP Lucas Sims (7-9, 4.36) in the first and second contest, respectively.
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network, accessible by heading online to www.potomacnationals.com, will provide live broadcast coverage of tomorrow's twin bill in Lynchburg, VA beginning with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 5:50pm before the play-by-play at 6:05pm.
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 Carolina League playoff tickets 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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