Pitching Falters Late as P-Nats Drop Final Game of Series

Lynchburg, VA- For the second time in as many games, the Potomac Nationals (22-17) gave up six runs in a single inning en route to a loss at the hands of the Lynchburg Hillcats (22-18). 
 
A 5-3 score entering the eighth inning, the decisive frame featured three singles, a walk, an error, and a three-run home run from 1B Emmanuel Tapia  (3) to put the game out of reach.

Against LHP Jordan Mills  (L, 0-1) LF Mitch Longo  and SS Luke Wakamatsu  started the frame with back to back singles. After a walk to CF Conner Capel , C Li-Jen Chu  stepped into the batter's box with the bases loaded and no one out. Mills forced Chu to tap one softly in front of the mound, but after fielding the swinging bunt with his barehand, the left-hander sailed the throw home over the outstretched glove of C Tres Barrera , tying up the game as Longo and Wakamatsu came around to score on the error. 
 
The very next batter, DH Trenton Brooks  lined a single into centerfield to give the Hillcats a 6-5 lead, their first lead since they led 1-0 after the first.
 
Mills was lifted for RHP James Bourque , who immediately picked up the first out of inning on a fielder's choice from 3B Gavin Collins . With the deficit still at one run, Bourque gave up the three-run blast to Tapia to secure the win for Lynchburg.  
 
The P-Nats held the lead for most of the game before Lynchburg's big inning, thanks in part to a big day at the plate from 3B David Masters . Masters went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run (2) in the top of the second that gave The Red, White, & Blue a 3-1 lead. 
 
With RHP Tyler Mapes  (ND) on the mound, Lynchburg picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Chu. Potomac answered with two runs of their own the very next frame on an RBI groundout from 1B Ian Sagdal  and an RBI double from DH Jake Noll . 
 
Potomac's offense scored all five runs against Lynchburg's starter Tanner Tully , who went 5.0 innings in the no decision.  
 
After the sweep, The P-Nats return home for the start of an eight-game homestand, their longest of the year. The Wilmington Blue Rocks (17-24) come into town for four games, followed by four more games against the Winston-Salem Dash (23-18). 
 
Tomorrow's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. Our coverage begins at 6:50pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network. You can access our broadcast via potomacnationals.com, the TuneIn App, or the MiLB First Pitch 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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