When the rain picked up, the Potomac Nationals offense picked up. Potomac scored three in the pouring rain during the sixth and final inning of the contest against Frederick to win 3-0 shortened by rain.
Both starters were working quickly and efficiently keeping the game scoreless heading into the sixth. Potomac’s RHP Matt Swynenberg allowed five hits and walked four but time after time got out of trouble. The Keys left eight batters on base against Swynenberg.
In the bottom of the sixth, Potomac finally was able to solve Frederick starter RHP Devin Jones who gave up just two hits in the first five innings. Matt Skole led off the inning walking. With two out, Jason Martinson came to bat and the it started to pour in Woodbridge. Martinson hit a 0-1 pitch to deep center that hit off the glove of Glynn Davis then the wall for a RBI triple scoring Skole for the first run of the game. With the rain gaining strength, Jeff Howell came to the plate and took a pitch that hit the backstop scoring Martinson from third easily. Howell then blasted a monster homer out over the batters eye in center. It was his first home run in a P-Nat uniform.
Right as Howell reached home plate, the umpires halted play due to rain. After a 47-minute delay, the contest was called. It was the 19th time Potomac has had a game effected by rain which includes five of the meetings with Frederick.
Swynenberg (6-5) gets credit for his first career shutout tossing all six innings. He has won two straight decisions after not winning since May 31st. It was his second complete game of the year.
Jones (6-1) takes his first loss in the Carolina League during his eighth start. He had won his previous six starts.
With the Wilmington Blue Rocks off due to rain, Potomac gets within two games of the first place Blue Rocks.
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Chris Graham
