For the first time this season, the Potomac Nationals (40-39, 3-9) were swept in a four-game series, falling 3-0 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (39-44, 5-6) on Tuesday night. After being swept for the second consecutive game, Potomac was outscored in the series 18-2.
The pitching was excellent once again for the Pelicans in the series finale, holding The P-Nats to just five hits in the shutout. RHP Alex Lange (W, 5-5) struck out four batters over six innings, his fifth quality start of the season.
Myrtle Beach’s offense backed up Lange early in Tuesday’s contest, taking the lead for good in the bottom of the second. After 2B Andruw Monasterio connected on a triple, LF Kevonte Mitchell drove him in with a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Consecutive walks to the next two batters led to CF D.J. Wilson’s RBI single, pushing the Pelicans’ advantage to 2-0. Mitchell grounded out to third in the bottom of the third to set the score at 3-0 in favor of Myrtle Beach.
Those three runs would be the only offense that the Pelicans could manage off of Potomac starter Ben Braymer (L, 3-2). Braymer would prove to be a tough-luck loser, as the lefty allowed three runs over a season-high seven innings, striking out one batter and walking four in his fourth start with The P-Nats.
After both starters exited the ballgame, the bullpens from either team continued the standout pitching. LHP Jose Paulino and RHP Jhon Romero (SV, 6) completed the shutout for Myrtle Beach, pitching the final three innings in scoreless fashion. LHP Taylor Guilbeau faced the minimum in a scoreless eight for Potomac.
The shutout loss caps off a 2-7 road trip for Potomac, dropping their overall record to 40-39. The Red, White, & Blue now stand just one game above .500 for the first time since April 26th (11-10).
Potomac returns home riding a season-high five game losing streak. They will look to snap their streak against the Salem Red Sox in game one of a five-game series. RHP Matthew DeRosier (0-1, 10.80) will take the ball for Potomac in the series opener, his second start as a P-Nat. DeRosier gave up four runs over four innings in his first start. The Potomac offense will face Salem RHP Daniel Gonzalez (7-1, 2.91). The 2018 Carolina League All-Star has notched quality starts in three of his four starts for Salem this season.
First pitch at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium on Wednesday is set for 6:35pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:20pm 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.
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Chris Graham
