Early Offense Not Enough For P-Nats in 11-5 Loss

Woodbridge, VA- The Potomac Nationals (38-32) took an early lead in game one of Sunday's scheduled doubleheader, but ultimately fell to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (33-40) 11-5 in a seven inning game. 
 
The game was completed just as the rain began to fall at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. Game two of Sunday's doubleheader against the Wilmington Blue Rocks will be made up at a later date. 

The offense picked up right where it left off from Friday's 10-0 win, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first. After back to back two-out singles from DH Ian Sagdal  and C Tres Barrera , RF Rhett Wiseman  walked to load the bases. 1B Aldrem Corredor  stepped in and cleared the bases with a three-run double to centerfield. LF Nick Banks  followed with a single, scoring Corredor, to make it a 4-0 Potomac lead after one. 
 
RHP Jeremy Hellickson  (L, 0-1) made the start on a rehab assignment from the Washington Nationals. After a scoreless first inning, Hellickson allowed 11 runs on nine hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in the defeat. SS Gabriel Cancel broke up the shutout in the top of the second with a solo home run (4), and C Meibrys Viloria gave Wilmington the lead for good with a grand slam (3) in the third. 
 
In a 10-4 game in the fourth, Potomac grabbed a run back on an infield single from 2B Bryan Mejia , scoring SS David Masters  from third. Wilmington starter Nolan Watson (ND), making his first start with the Blue Rocks, exited after allowing the first two batters to reach in the bottom of the fifth. LHP Cristian Castillo (W, 3-5) came on and shutout The P-Nats the rest of the way, giving up just one hit and striking out two while closing out the final three innings to secure the win. 
 
Potomac's bullpen came on for Hellickson and completed the final 2.1 innings in scoreless fashion. RHP Brandon Kintzler , also on rehab from the Washington Nationals, pitched a scoreless sixth, allowing no hits and striking out one of the three batters he faced. 
 
Following Sunday's loss, The Red, White, & Blue hit the road for a nine-game road trip, the longest of the season. Potomac will play a five game series against the Down East Wood Ducks, followed by a four-game set against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. 
 
In game one against Down East, LHP Matthew Crownover (3-5, 5.37) will be making his 14th start of the year, his second against the Wood Ducks. Crownover gave up one run over six innings on April 10th. 
           
First pitch at Grainger Stadium on Monday is set for 7:00pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:45pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com or on the TuneIn Radio App.
           
The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Sponsorship opportunities for the P-Nats' 2018 season and beyond are available, as well as all-inclusive corporate picnic outings to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz. 2018 Potomac Nationals season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2018 season tickets, mini plans, group outings, picnic packages, fundraisers, and all things Red, White, and Blue, visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com, follow the P-Nats on Facebook (@PotomacNationals), Twitter (@PNats42), and Instagram (@pnats42), or call the Potomac Nationals' Extreme Custom Collision Ticket Office at 703-590-2311.
 
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