With the bases loaded in the third inning, Ian Sagdal doubled to the gap in right-center field as the P-Nats plated three runs on the play and never looked back, handing Lynchburg a series loss, and a 6-3 defeat in the finale on Thursday.
The Hillcats (41-47, 12-9) continued to have difficulty cashing in with men on base, going just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, while Potomac (44-44, 7-14) came through with 15 hits on the night.
The Hillcats took an early lead in the first inning. Ernie Clement led off the frame with a walk and Mitch Longo followed with a single to left-center. With two away in the inning, Jodd Cartersingled through the left side against the shift to plate a pair and give Lynchburg a 2-0 edge.
Sagdal’s bases-clearing double in the third was part of a stretch of six straight base runners to reach against Tanner Tully (Loss, 3-9). The Hillcats starter was able to minimize damage, rolling a double play to escape a bases loaded jam and get out of the inning. Tully finished the night going six innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits while striking out four.
The P-Nats struck for an unearned run against Tully in the fifth. Alexis Pantoja committed a throwing error with two outs, and two batters later, Luis Garcia came through with an RBI single to make it 4-2 Potomac. Garcia had three hits on the night.
The Hillcats got on the board in the sixth, but missed out on a chance for a big inning. Li-Jen Chu got things started with a single through the right side, and one batter later Conner Capel tripled him home with a rocket off the wall in left. Joan Baez (Win, 4-8) then turned the game over to the bullpen which was able to strand Capel at third, and keep Potomac in front, 4-3.
Baez worked 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out four.
The Nationals delivered one final blow in the ninth inning when Nick Basto lifted a two-run home run to left field to pull ahead 6-3. It was the first home run that James Karinchak had allowed this season, and just the second surrendered in his professional career.
Hayden Howard (Save, 1), allowed two hits in the ninth inning, but was able to work out of it, to pick up his first save of the season.
The Hillcats hit the road on Friday, traveling to Carolina for a four-game series with the Mudcats. Game one is set for 7 p.m., with Hillcats right-hander Eli Morgan (6-2, 2.06) taking the ball, opposite righty Conor Harber (4-4, 2.20) for the Mudcats.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
The Hillcats return home on Wednesday, July 18, for six games. Home stand highlights include Winning Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 Miller Lite and Yuengling drafts, You’re Killing Me Smalls Night on July 20, consisting of an Evan Gattis bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, and a used car giveaway on July 21.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
