Potomac Suffers Largest Defeat of Season in Series Opener

Lynchburg, VA- After four straight rainouts, the Potomac Nationals (22-16) came up empty in their first game since Sunday, a 12-0 loss against the Lynchburg Hillcats (21-18).
 
In a game that featured a half-hour rain delay in the bottom of the fifth, Potomac set a new season-high in margin of defeat (12) and runs given up in an inning (six), while tying season-highs in runs (12) and hits (16) given up in single game.

After two scoreless innings from LHP Matthew Crownover  (L, 1-4) the Hillcats opened up the floodgates in the bottom of the third. In an inning that brought 10 batters to the plate, Lynchburg scored six runs on seven hits, picking up RBIs from six different players.
 
Lynchburg's six-run frame was all the offensive support that RHP Zach Plesac  (3-2) would need. Facing Potomac for the first time, Plesac worked six innings of scoreless baseball, giving up just three hits while striking out three.
 
The HIllcats doubled up their run total over their final four trips to the plate, tacking on runs in the fifth, sixth, and eighth. 1B Anthony Miller  led the way for Lynchburg with a 3-4 day with four runs scored, three runs batted in, and a home run (2).
 
After Crownover's night was done following the fourth inning, RHP's Jorge Pantoja  and Jeremy McKinney  worked two innings a piece. Both gave up three runs, although all three of McKinney's runs were unearned in his P-Nats debut.
 
The lone bright spot offensively for Potomac was C Jakson Reetz , who went 2-4 at the plate. DH Alec Keller  and LF Jack Sundberg  picked up the other two hits for The Red, White, & Blue.
 
After the loss, both teams return on Sunday afternoon for the final game of the two-game series. RHP Tyler Mapes  (3-0, 2.40) will take the ball for the P-Nats, trying to snap their two-game losing streak. LHP Tanner Tully  (2-3, 3.92) will look to earn the sweep for Lynchburg.
 
Tomorrow's first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Calvin Falwell Field. Our coverage begins at 1:45pm 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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