Potomac Scores Early, Late to Top Keys
Frederick, MD-The Potomac Nationals (27-20, 57-57) won their fourth consecutive series on Thursday night, defeating the Frederick Keys (17-28, 46-68) by a score of 8-2 in the final game of their weeklong road trip.Three home runs and a stellar start for LHP Nick Raquet (W, 9-8) helped the P-Nats get back to
Frederick, MD-The Potomac Nationals (27-20, 57-57) won their fourth consecutive series on Thursday night, defeating the Frederick Keys (17-28, 46-68) by a score of 8-2 in the final game of their weeklong road trip.
Three home runs and a stellar start for LHP Nick Raquet (W, 9-8) helped the P-Nats get back to the .500 mark for the first time since early April and retain first place in the Northern Division with 23 games to play.
Potomac led from the game's first moments, as CF Cole Freeman was hit by a pitch from LHP DL Hall (L, 4-5) and took second on a passed ball before stealing third and scoring on an errant throw. Later in the first, 1B KJ Harrison hit a two-run homer to put Potomac ahead 3-0.
The Keys would answer immediately in their half of the first inning, greeting Raquet with back-to-back doubles from CF
Both Hall and Raquet settled down after their rocky first innings, with the Keys starter getting through 5.2 innings and the Potomac southpaw turning in his fifth consecutive quality start with 6.0 innings. Raquet faced the minimum through his final five frames, allowing two total runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
The 3-2 lead would hold through the seventh as RHP Gabe Klobosits (H, 2) relieved Raquet with two scoreless innings. In the eighth, C Jakson Reetz hit a two-run blast to extend the Potomac lead to 5-2, and in the ninth 3B Omar Meregildo hit a solo homer before LF Aldrem Corredor and Harrison added their own run-scoring hits. RHP Frankie Bartow faced the minimum in the ninth to seal the 8-2 win.
The P-Nats return home on Friday for a pivotal six-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. LHP Tim Cate faces off against Hillcats LHP Juan Hillman in the series opener. First pitch at Northwest Federal Field is set for 7:05 pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show beginning at 6:50. Fans 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 10 CL Northern Division Championships. Sponsorship opportunities for the P-Nats' 2019 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. 2019 Potomac Nationals season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2019 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.
Fredericksburg Baseball is set to begin Carolina League play in 2020 at a brand new, state-of-the-art stadium facility, located at Celebrate Virginia South on Carl D. Silver Parkway near the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Celebrate baseball in The 'Burg and stay up to date with the progress of the new ballpark facility and the team online at www.fredericksburgbaseball.com, and follow Fredericksburg Baseball on Facebook (@FredericksburgBaseball), on Twitter (@FXBGBaseball20), and on Instagram (@fredericksburgbaseball).