The Potomac Nationals’ trouble making contact with runners in scoring position continued on Monday night in Kinston, as the Nationals went 0-for 11 with men at second or third in a 2-0 loss to the Indians. Potomac was struck out 18 times, including seven punchouts in clutch situations. Kinston, meantime, had just four chances with runners in scoring position, but the Indians got a pair of consecutive two-out singles in the third inning to score the game’s only runs.
Potomac had a bevy of chances early against Kinston starter Mike Rayl. The Nationals had a runner at second or third base with fewer than two outs in each of the first three innings – and failed to score.
In the first, Potomac got a one-out double from Jose Lozada. But a pair of strikeouts got Rayl out of trouble. Rayl, who tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, got more punchouts to escape another jam in the second. After Steven Souza walked to open the inning, Sandy Leon singled to right field. Cutter Dykstra then hit a ball right back to Rayl, who bobbled and could only make the throw to first. But Sean Nicol and Eury Perez fanned to end the threat.
The third inning was a frustrating microcosm of the last three games for Potomac. Potomac – who was 1-for-19 with me in scoring position in the final two games against Myrtle Beach – loaded the bases with no outs. Brian Peacock struck out for the inning’s first out. Then, ahead with a 2-0 count, Souza popped out in foul ground to first base. Francisco Soriano inexplicably tried to tag up from third base and was out by ten feet to end the inning.
From that point on, the Nationals got individual hits in every inning except the fourth and ninth. Their best chance came in the eighth, when they chased Toru Murata – who relieved Rayl and struck out five Nationals – with a one-out single by Brian Peacock. Souza then doubled to right field to put two more in scoring position. Preston Guilmet, the Indians closer, came on to face Sandy Leon. Leon hit a sharp line drive to right field that was caught by Doug Pickens to end the inning.
Nationals starter Adam Olbrychowski walked his third batter with one out in the third inning, and a wild pitch moved Argenis Martinez to second. Justin Toole grounded out to third for the second out, but consecutive RBI singles by Jordan Casas and Adam Abraham did all the damage the Indians would need.
Guilmet retired the Nats in order in the ninth for his 31st save.
Potomac and Kinston resume the series Tuesday evening at Grainger Stadium. Erik Davis will make his third start for the Nationals at 6:30 P.M.
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Chris Graham
