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P-Nats blunder in ninth in 5-2 loss

p-natsFollowing a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the division leading Lynchburg Hillcats, the Potomac Nationals (14-11 Overall, 4-8 Home) returned to Pfitzner Stadium to play the Frederick Keys (12-16 Overall, 9-6 Road) for the first time in 2016.

Despite a third straight quality start from RHP Boone Whiting (ND), the P-Nats’ offense was silent through much of the night and the defense fell apart in the ninth inning in route to the 5-2 loss. With seven strong innings, Whiting had his longest outing of the season and gave up just one earned run and two runs overall. Opposite Whiting, LHP John Means (ND) was nearly as good as the Potomac starter. Despite the no-decision, Means continued his stellar start to the season with six innings of two-run ball.

The Keys, fresh off of a three game sweep of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, got on the board first courtesy of the first of Potomac’s three errors on the night. After a one-out single by RF Cam Kneeland, 3B Jomar Reyes singled on a grounder to 3B Drew Ward. Ward’s throw went off of the glove of 1B Jose Marmolejos, which allowed both runners to move up. With men at second and third and only one out, C Jonah Heim singled into centerfield and made it 1-0 Frederick.

Potomac had two baserunners in each of the first two innings but failed to get anyone to third base or score. The P-Nats then struck for a run with a two-out rally in the fourth. 2B Bryan Mejia swung at strike three on a pitch in the dirt and made it safely to first base on the wild pitch charged to Means. RF Dale Carey followed with an RBI double into the left field corner, which tied the game at one.

The P-Nats took their one and only lead of the game in the sixth inning. Marmolejos led off the inning with a double into the right field corner, and after Means retired C Raudy Read and Ward, Mejia again struck out on a pitch in the dirt. Once again, Means was charged with a wild pitch, as Mejia reached first safely and Marmolejos scored, as the P-Nats led 2-1.

Frederick answered in the seventh inning against Whiting, as Reyes and Heim hit back-to-back singles, which put runners on first and third with one out. LF Tad Gold flied out to shallow centerfield, but the throw from CF Andrew Stevenson was far too late to get Reyes who had tagged up at third base. The score remained 2-2 until the top of the ninth.

RHP Greg Ross (L, 0-1) took over for Whiting to begin the eighth inning and worked a perfect frame. DH Aderlin Rodriguez began the top of the ninth as he reached base on a strikeout and passed ball charged to Read. Kneeland bunted down the first base line, and Ross’ throw to first base went passed Marmolejos, as Ross’ error put men on second and third with no outs. Ross got Reyes to take a called third strike but walked Heim to load the bases. Gold then grounded out to Marmolejos, who stepped on the first base bag and threw home. His throw skipped in the dirt and got by Read, which allowed an extra run to score and made it 4-2. SS Erick Salcedo followed with an RBI single that finished the scoring and made it 5-2 Frederick. Due to the passed ball and two errors, all three runs that scored in the inning were unearned.

In the loss, Potomac had just five hits and went 0-10 with runners in scoring position. The P-Nats left six men on base, five of them at second base. The only multi-hit games belonged to Reyes and Heim of Frederick, as each had two hits on the night. LHP Tanner Scott (W, 1-1) did not allow a hit over two scoreless innings for the Keys, while RHP Jimmy Yacabonis (SV, 2) pitched a perfect ninth inning.

In an effort to even up the series, Potomac is set to turn to RHP Luis Reyes (2-2, 4.22), while the Keys are scheduled to counter with RHP Matthew Grimes (3-1, 1.75). Reyes has allowed more than two earned runs in just one of his first four starts, while Grimes has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his first five starts. First pitch is set for 7:05pm at Pfitzner Stadium. The “P-Nats Lead-Off Show” will be on-air at 6:50pm. You can listen to the broadcast at PotomacNationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.

Flying Dog Brewery is set to host a beer tasting prior to Friday night’s game, while kids can run the bases at The Pfitz following the Fridaynight matchup. Saturday night, the P-Nats will don “Bad News Bears” jerseys in honor of the 40th anniversary of the movie. The jerseys will be auctioned throughout the night with proceeds to benefit Woodbridge High School. The first 1,000 fans through the gate Saturday will also get a 2016 P-Nats Team Photo. Celebrate Mother’s Day at the ballpark with the P-Nats, as a special pre-game picnic is available for a $7 add-on to any ticket.

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