The Potomac Nationals (44-47 Overall, 25-23 Home, 11-10 Second-Half) were bested by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (53-39 Overall, 31-17 Road, 12-11 Second-Half) 7-4 in their set finale on Saturday night. Potomac’s loss sealed a four-game series sweep for the “birds” at Pfitzner Stadium.
Washington Nationals OF Jayson Werth (left wrist fractures) and IF Anthony Rendon (left quadriceps strain) enjoyed simultaneous rehabilitation appearances.
Werth and Rendon combined for a trio of base knocks, one run scored, and a pair of runs batted in during Werth’s third consecutive night with Potomac and Rendon’s first career rehab appearance as a Potomac National after playing for the club in 2012 during his rise to the Major Leagues.
Rendon went 2-for-2 with a groundball double into the left field corner in the 1st inning and an infield single before being lifted for pinch runner, Narciso Mesa in the 3rd inning.
Werth collected two RBIs on a one-base knock plus a walk in the contest in a 1-for-2 effort.
The Pelicans jumped out to an early lead against Potomac RHP Phillips Valdez in the opening inning on a two-run double gunned to the gap in right-center field by Myrtle Beach 1B Jacob Rogers that scored the leadoff walk issued to RF Mark Zagunis and the single of DH Chesney Young.
Valdez allowed two earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out five Pelicans in a no-decision.
The Nationals tied the game with a pair of runs on the Werth two-run single into the right-center field alleyway off the eventual winning pitcher, Pelicans RHP Jeremy Null (1-1). The stroke plated the leadoff single from RF Estarlin Martinez and the infield single raked by Rendon.
Null equalized his 2015 record in the Carolina League with his first win after 5.0 innings in which he allowed three earned runs on seven hits. Null walked a pair and fanned five.
Potomac took a 3-2 lead in the 4th when Martinez sprayed an RBI sacrifice fly to right field to send 2B Khayyan Norfork, who doubled, in to score.
Myrtle Beach would then explode with five runs off P-Nats RHP Tyler Mapes (1-2) to force his second loss in 2015. The typically steady righty reliever allowed a three-run home run belted over the right field fence to Pelicans C Jordan Hankins and a two-run single ripped into right field by Rogers a part of a four-RBI night.
Nationals bullpen arms, RHP Derek Self and RHP Brian Dupra combined for 3.0 scoreless innings. The duo gave up only two hits amid two strikeouts.
Pelicans RHP David Garner was the bridge to get to RHP James Farris, who finished the game for Myrtle Beach. Garner tossed 2.0 scoreless stanzas and Farris allowed only one run in the 9th as it was too little, too late for the home club to rally with their backs against the wall. An RBI single sent into center field by Mesa scored the infield single from LF Alec Keller and served as the last run of the game pushed across by Potomac before pinch hitter, Craig Manuel popped out to Pelicans SS Carlos Penalver to end the clash in favor of the visiting club.
Tomorrow evening the Nationals open up a three-game series in Frederick, MD at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium against the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles).
A 6:00pm first pitch is scheduled from the gateway to the western part of the Terrapin State.
In the series opener at “The Grove,” Potomac RHP Reynaldo Lopez (5-5, 4.30) will deal against Frederick LHP Ariel Miranda (0-1, 5.63).
Game One of Potomac’s road series on Sunday is set for a 6:00pm first pitch and Potomac Nationals Baseball will be on the air starting at 5:45pm with pre-game coverage. You can listen live via the TuneIn Radio App as well as online at www.potomacnationals.com beginning with the “P-Nats Lead-Off Show.”
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Chris Graham
