Mudcats Drop Third Straight to Nationals, 3-1

Woodbridge, Va. - The Potomac Nationals jumped out to 2-0 lead through three innings and held on for a 3-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats on Saturday night at Pfitzner Stadium. The Mudcats dropped their third straight game to Potomac and fell to 5-4 overall. The Nationals moved above .500 at 5-4 for the first time this year.

Cole Sulser (0-1) suffered a tough loss to the P-Nats, allowing three runs on five over 5.2 innings. The right-hander struck out four. Pedro Encarnacion (1-0) worked around six hits over five innings to earn his first win for Potomac. He allowed one run, two walks and struck out six.

Robert Benincasa pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two, for his third save.

Potomac grabbed the lead in the second inning when Brandon Miller launched a towering home run over the left field fence. Oscar Tejeda lined a single to left with two out in the third to score Justin Miller for a 2-0 lead.

James Roberts put the Mudcats on the board in the fourth inning. Jeremy Lucas singled and moved to third on a double by Charlie Valerio. Roberts chopped a high bounce over the mound, forcing a throw by Adrian Sanchez to first. The put out allowed Lucas to score.

The Nationals responded with their third and final run in the sixth on a single by Stephen Perez off Jacob Lee.

The Mudcats stroked five doubles in the game, but finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The team returns to action against Potomac on Sunday afternoon at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium. Right-hander Dylan Baker makes his second start. First pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Coverage on the Mudcats Radio Network begins at 12:45 p.m.

The Mudcats return home on Tuesday, April 15, against the Salem Red Sox. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (919) 269-2287 or by logging on to carolinamudcats.com.