For the second consecutive night, the Frederick Keys (62-70, 27-36) threatened to pull out a come from win over the Potomac Nationals (70-59, 33-29). But for the second straight game, Potomac held on, as the Keys left the bases loaded in the eighth inning, and the tying run at first base in the ninth frame in Potomac’s 3-2 win.
Similar to Monday night, Frederick scored the first run of the night. LHP Nick Raquet (W, 4-3) allowed three consecutive one-out singles in the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out, 2B Preston Palmeiro gave Frederick a 1-0 lead with an RBI groundout, while Raquet got RF T.J. Nichting to ground out to end the inning.
Potomac didn’t muster much in the first two innings against RHP Cristian Alvarado (L, 11-11), but scored in each of the next two innings. CF Nick Banks led off the bottom of the third inning with a double, and later scored on an RBI groundout by 2B Bryan Mejia, which tied the game. In the fourth inning, DH Andruw Monasterio singled with one out, and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double from RF Rhett Wiseman. Ahead 2-1, Banks provided what proved to be the game-winning hit, as he drove home Wiseman with a single. Potomac led 3-1 after four innings.
Raquet pitched into the sixth inning, but came one out shy of a quality start. The Potomac left-handed starter surrendered a leadoff double to Nichting in the sixth, who scored one batter later on an RBI single by C Daniel Fajardo. Raquet departed for RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan with a runner on first base and two outs in the inning, as SS Chris Clare lined out to SS Luis Garcia to end the frame. Condra-Bogan then worked a perfect seventh inning.
Up 3-2 heading into the eighth inning, Potomac went back to the bullpen and brought LHP Ben Braymer into the game. Braymer issued a leadoff walk to Palmeiro, struck out Nichting, and gave up a single to Fajardo. With men at first and second base and one out, 3B Alejandro Juvier singled to left field, but LF Telmito Agustin threw Palmeiro out at the plate, which kept Potomac ahead by a run. While Braymer then walked CF Cole Billingsley, which loaded the bases, Clare flied out to the left field warning track, as Potomac led 3-2 after 7.5 frames. The Keys got a leadoff walk off of RHP Jeremy McKinney (SV, 3) in the ninth inning, but then went in order, as they fell for the second straight night.
In search of a series win, and to set up a potential sweep opportunity, Potomac will turn to RHP Joan Baez (8-9, 4.02) on Wednesday night. Baez is 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA over his last six starts. For the Keys, LHP Alex Wells (7-7, 3.47) will look to pick up his third consecutive win. Wells is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last four starts for Frederick.
First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Wednesday is set for 7:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:50pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com, at http://bit.ly/P-NatsBroadcast, or on the TuneIn Radio App.
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Chris Graham
