P-Nats clinch first-half title with 2-0 win

Woodbridge, VA-Behind seven-shutout innings from RHP Joan Baez (W, 3-5), the Potomac Nationals (35-29) earned the crown as first half champions in the Northern Division in the Carolina League. A 2-0 shutout victory over the Buies Creek Astros (36-30) got Potomac back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The teams traded zeroes through the first 3.5 innings, as Baez and RHP Tyler Ivey (L, 0-1) went toe-to-toe. The P-Nats struck first, as a leadoff walk in the home half of the fourth inning provided the eventual game-winning run. CF Blake Perkins drew a leadoff walk, and eventually scored on a single from LF Alec Keller paired with an error by Buies Creek LF J.J. Matijevic.

An inning later, Potomac made it 2-0, the eventual final, on a pair of singles from RF Rhett Wiseman and C Tres Barrera , paired with a sacrifice fly from 3B David Masters . Two runs proved to be more than enough, as Baez spun his best outing of the season.
The Potomac right-handed starter matched his season high with seven innings on the mound. Baez allowed just three hits and struck out four, as he pitched Potomac to a first half championship. The righty worked around a leadoff walk in the opening frame, and stranded the potential tying runs in scoring position in the seventh inning.
Out of the Potomac bullpen, both RHP Ronald Peña and LHP Jordan Mills (SV, 6) pitched a scoreless inning. Mills got 1B Jake Adams to fly out to right field to end the game, which clinched the Northern Division for Potomac.
With the victory, Potomac manager Tripp Keister set the franchise record for wins with his 314^th win as a member of the Potomac Nationals.
Off of the win, the P-Nats will turn towards Friday night, as RHP Tyler Mapes (5-1, 2.04) is set to take the mound after the clinching victory. For the Astros, RHP Carson LaRue (3-3, 4.80) will look to even the series.
First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Friday is set for 7:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:50pm 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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