Crownover dazzles as P-Nats drop Dash, 4-2

In his best start of the season, LHP Matthew Crownover (W, 1-4) allowed just one run over six+ innings, as the Potomac Nationals (50-43, 16-9) opened up an eight-game homestand with a 4-2 win over the Winston-Salem Dash (40-56, 12-14). On rehab from the Washington Nationals, 1B Ryan Zimmermanhad two hits and scored a run as he played seven innings for Potomac.

After two scoreless innings, Potomac got to RHP Robinson Leyer (L, 0-1), who was making a start for the recently promoted RHP Spencer Adams. Leyer surrendered back-to-back singles to SS Osvaldo Abreu and 2B Max Schrock, and with runners on the corners, a wild pitch plated Abreu. Potomac led 1-0 after three innings. The P-Nats added a run in the fourth inning on a two-out RBI double by C Jake Lowery, as Leyer allowed two runs on five hits over a season high 3.2 innings.

The P-Nats put the game away with two runs against RHP Drew Hasler in the fifth inning. Zimmerman, who singled in the first frame, doubled with one out in the fifth and advanced to third base on a single by DH Jose Marmolejos. After Marmolejos stole second base, LF Alec Keller plated both runners with a single to right field, as the P-Nats took a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning.

The four run lead was more than enough for Crownover, who set a season high for innings and strikeouts, at six and seven respectively. At one point, the lefty retired 10 consecutive Winston-Salem hitters. The Dash plated their lone run against the starter in the sixth inning, as LF Landon Lassiter led off the frame with a single, went to third base on a base hit by RF Mason Robbins, and scored on a sacrifice fly by 1B Nick Basto.

With a 4-1 lead in the seventh, Crownover pitched to two batters, but walked one and gave up a single. With two men on and no outs, RHP Tommy Peterson came in from the Potomac bullpen and escaped without any damage. Peterson struck out CF Michael Suiter and then induced an inning-ending double play off the bat of SS Cleuluis Rondon. The Dash did plate a run against the righty on a double by Lassiter and an RBI single by Robbins in the eighth inning, though that was the final run of the game for either side.

Potomac didn’t muster a hit over two innings vs. RHP Manny Martinez, while RHP Gilberto Mendez (SV, 4) worked around a single in the ninth and closed out the P-Nats 4-2 victory. Both teams left seven men on base, while the Dash went just 1-6 with RISP.

In search of consecutive wins for the first time in nearly 10 days, the P-Nats are set to send RHP Whit Mayberry (2-1, 5.09) to the hill. Mayberry gave up just three total earned runs over his first two starts with the P-Nats, but has given up 10 total earned runs over his last two starts. For the Dash, RHP Jordan Stephens (4-7 3.76) is set to start for the fourth time vs. Potomac. In his first three starts vs. the P-Nats, Stephens went 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA. First pitch is set for 7:05pm Friday night at Pfitzner Stadium.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will carry live coverage Thursday night beginning with the “P-Nats Leadoff Show” at 6:50pm. P-Nats Gameday Audio on the Potomac Nationals Baseball Network is available atwww.potomacnationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App.