Seven-Run Fourth Frame Highlights Potomac's 9-5 Victory

Woodbridge, VA-With seven runs on six hits in the home half of the fourth inning, the Potomac Nationals (45-45, 8-15) leveled the series with the Frederick Keys (41-52, 6-18) with a 9-5 victory on Saturday night. The Keys scored the final four runs of the night, and left the tying man in the on-deck circle in each of the final two innings.
After a scoreless first inning, Potomac struck first with a pair of runs on just one hit in the second inning. RHP Matthias Dietz (L, 0-2) walked DH Tres Barrera to lead off the inning, while LF Nick Banks made it 1-0 Potomac with an RBI double. SS David Masters then drew a walk, while C Jakson Reetz got hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Dietz then forced in a run with a bases loaded walk to CF Jack Sundberg , before he stranded the bases loaded and kept it at just a 2-0 Potomac lead. Dietz departed after just two frames.

Frederick cut the deficit to one run against LHP Ben Braymer (W, 4-3) in the fourth inning, as DH Wilson Garcia led off with a base hit. Garcia moved to second base on a groundout from LF Randolph Gassaway, and then scored on an RBI single from 2B Preston Palmeiro. Braymer recorded the quality start, as he allowed three runs on nine hits in six innings.
A half inning after the Keys trimmed Potomac's lead to one run, the P-Nats exploded for a seven-run home half of the fourth frame. LHP Travis Seabrooke, who worked a perfect third inning in relief of Dietz, retired the first batter that he faced in the fourth inning. With one out, Masters drew a walk, while Reetz followed with a single. Sundberg reached on a bunt attempt down the third base line, and on the single, Seabrooke's throw to first base got passed 1B Collin Woody. An error on the Frederick first baseman allowed two runs to score. 2B Bryan Mejia followed with an RBI single, which made it 5-1 Potomac, while RF Rhett Wiseman then launched a two-run home run to right field. Wiseman's 17^th home run of the season made it 7-1 Potomac. Seabrooke then issued a walk and gave up a hit before he struck out 1B Aldrem Corredor for the second out of the frame. Banks stepped in and connected on his second double of the game, which plated two runs, and closed out the scoring for Potomac. The P-Nats took a 9-1 lead into the fifth frame.
Braymer allowed a pair of runs in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly from Palmeiro and a two-out RBI double from 3B Jomar Reyes, while RHP Koda Glover worked the seventh inning and into the eighth frame for Potomac on rehab from the Washington Nationals. Glover gave up a two-run home run to CF T.J. Nichting in the seventh inning, and a triple to Woody in the eighth frame. Glover departed with two outs in the eighth inning after he walked SS Chris Clare, which put the potential tying run on-deck. RHP Steven Fuentes (SV, 1) came in and struck out Nichting on three pitches, which ended the frame. Fuentes then worked around two singles in the ninth inning and closed out Potomac's 9-5 victory.
Frederick outhit Potomac 16-10 in the loss, while eight of nine Potomac starters reached base at least once. Reetz led Potomac with three hits, while Banks tallied three RBIs for the P-Nats.
Game three of the series is set for Sunday afternoon, as RHP Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 2.70) will make his second straight rehab start for the P-Nats. Tuesday night against the Hillcats, Strasburg allowed one run on two hits in 3.1 innings. For the Keys, RHP Lucas Humpal (2-8, 4.55) is set to make his second start of the season vs. Potomac. On 4/14, Humpal allowed six runs on eight hits over seven innings in a loss at home against the P-Nats.
                                                                                                                   
First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Sunday is set for 1:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 12:50pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com, at http://bit.ly/P-NatsBroadcast, 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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