Potomac Comeback Comes up Short in Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA-The Potomac Nationals (3-6) comeback at Calvin Falwell Field at City Stadium against the hosting Lynchburg Hillcats (6-3) came up short as the defending Carolina League Champions used 5.1 innings from their starting pitcher, RHP Ryan Weber (2-0), the winning pitcher, to clip the P-Nats in the rubber game matchup by the final score of 6-4 to take the series set.
Weber allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits, while striking out six, and at one point through the 6th inning had retired 15 batters in a row.
Potomac LHP Kylin Turnbull (0-2), the losing pitcher, pitched his way out of jams in the contest, but inevitably gave up six earned runs on nine hits, and walked two with a hit batter, as well.
The Nationals scored first in their opening at-bat as LF Billy Burns reached on an infield single dribbled a few feet out of the batters' box and later scored on an RBI groundout by SS Jason Martinson.
Lynchburg answered with one run in the 1st inning with an RBI single to right center field off the lumber of DH William Beckwith, and added two runs in the 2nd stanza courtesy of an RBI double to right field struck by 1B Matt Weaver and an RBI single by CF Matt Lipka on a ball that was lined into center field.
The Hillcats poured on three more runs in the 5th frame when 3B Kyle Kubitza lofted an RBI sacrifice fly lined into center, RF David Rohm, as part of a 2-for-3 day with two runs scored and an RBI, blooped an RBI single up the right field chalk, and C Luis De La Cruz nailed a run scoring single back up the box to take a 6-1 lead over Potomac.
The Nationals fought back with three runs in the 6th inning to chase Weber from the game with an RBI triple from Burns into the right center field alley way followed by a Michael Taylor RBI rip into center field. A wild pitch from RHP James Hoyt summoned home Taylor to cut the Hillcats lead to 6-4, which would stand as the final score.
RHP Nate Hyatt (2 SV) earned his second save of the series and the campaign by striking out the side in the 9th inning despite allowing an infield single to 3B Cutter Dykstra and a true single to center off the stick of RF Caleb Ramsey.
The P-Nats travel to Salem, VA to take on the Salem Red Sox (Boston) for a three-game road set from Monday through Wednesday (4/15-4/17) to complete the second leg of their six-game bus trip.
The Nationals will send RHP Taylor Hill to the mound, who won his first start. Hill's opposition has yet to be announced.
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!
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