Behind a dominant pitching performance from RHP Tyler Mapes (W, 1-0), the Potomac Nationals (5-4) picked up a 7-1 win over the Frederick Keys (5-4) on Friday night. One night after allowing 11 runs to the Keys, the Potomac pitching staff limited the top ranked scoring offense in the Carolina League to just one run on seven hits. Mapes combined with RHP Gabe Klobosits and RHP James Bourque on the near-shutout effort.
The Potomac offense scored early and often against RHP Cody Sedlock (L, 0-1). The righty, who went winless in three starts vs. Potomac in 2017, allowed a run in the first inning, a pair of runs in the second frame, and another two runs in the third inning. In the first, 1B Jake Noll notched the first of his two RBI singles on the night. CF Blake Perkins made it 2-0 with an RBI double in the second inning, while Noll plated SS Carter Kieboom with another RBI base hit in the frame. In the third inning, RF Rhett Wiseman made it 4-0 with an RBI triple, while 3B David Masters followed with an RBI double, his first hit of the season. After just 2.5 innings, Potomac led 5-0.
Opposite Sedlock, Mapes looked every bit the pitcher who has shown success at the Double-A level. The righty allowed just five hits, only one for extra bases, and struck out seven batters over five innings. The Keys did not get a man to third base with Mapes on the mound. The Potomac starter tallied his first Carolina League win since his final start of the 2015 season on 9/5/15.
After five scoreless frames from Mapes, Klobosits worked a quick sixth inning. The righty ran into the trouble in the seventh inning, as RF Jake Ring began the frame with a double. After two consecutive strikeouts, Klobosits gave up a bloop RBI double to LF Cole Billingsley. The second double of the inning was the only hit for Frederick with RISP in the game, as the Keys went just 1-9 in such situations on the night.
The P-Nats got the run back right away, as DH Austin Davidson tallied his ninth RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. One frame later, 2B Bryan Mejia made it 7-1, the eventual final, with a two-out, two-strike RBI single, which scored Wiseman. Bourque retired all six batters that he faced over the final two innings, his second consecutive multi-inning shutout performance out of the bullpen.
Off of the win, the P-Nats will look to remain over .500 on Saturday afternoon, as RHP Wil Crowe (1-0, 5.40) is set to make his second Carolina League start. In his 2018 debut, Crowe allowed four runs, three earned, in a Potomac 9-4 victory over Down East. For the Keys, RHP Lucas Humpal (0-1, 5.40) will make his second start at the High-A level. Humpal allowed three runs on six hits in his debut, a loss to Myrtle Beach on 4/8.
First pitch on Saturday afternoon is set for 2:00pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 1:45pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com or on the TuneIn Radio App.
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Chris Graham
