Francisco Soriano doubled and scored a run in the bottom of the first inning for the Potomac Nationals on Monday night. Cameron Selik and a pair of relievers made sure that run held up as the Nats shut out the Lynchburg Hillcats 1-0 in front of 2,914 at Pfitzner Stadium.
Selik overpowered the Hillcats over six innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four with no walks. He allowed baserunners in five of his six innings, but induced two double plays and allowed just one runner to reach second base.
The Nats (44-49, 15-9) got the only run they needed in the first inning. After Soriano doubled to open the frame, Jeff Kobernus sacrificed him to third. Destin Hood then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that put Potomac in front 1-0.
Selik (3-6) got double plays in the second and third innings, retired the ‘Cats (38-56, 8-16) in order for the only time in the fourth, and struck out a pair in the fifth. In his sixth and final inning, Selik worked around a two-out single to Marcus Lemon. All told, the Hillcats stranded only two baserunners.
After the run in the first, Lynchburg starter Chris Masters (5-5) overpowered Potomac; the Nationals got just two more hits and a walk the rest of the way.
Marcos Frias was dominant over two innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out a pair. Hector Nelo then retired the ‘Cats in order in the ninth for his twelfth save.
The series continues Tuesday afternoon at 12:05 P.M. Adam Olbrychowski takes the mound for the Nationals against David Hale.
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Chris Graham
