DH John Wooten propelled a three run home run in the top of the sixth inning to left field to give the Potomac Nationals (3-1, 1-1) a 3-0 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (3-2, 3-2) in Game Two of the Mills Cup Championship Series. With the series tied at a one game apiece, the games now shift to Woodbridge, VA starting on Tuesday to determine a champion in the best-of-five series.
Potomac used stellar outings from starter RHP Dakota Bacus (W, 1-0) and relievers RHP Manny Rodriguez and RHP Gilberto Mendez (Sv, 3). Bacus shut down the Pelicans offense over his 5.2 innings of work allowing just two hits white striking out five. Rodriguez filled in for 2.1 frames of scoreless relief, and Mendez shut the door in the ninth to earn his third save of the postseason.
Pelicans starter LHP Victor Payano (L, 0-1) put fourth a valiant effort but allowed the two baserunners who would end up scoring on the Wooten home run, handing him the tough luck loss. The typically wild Payano went 5.1 innings without surrendering a walk and fanned four.
CF Isaac Ballou led off the sixth with an infield single for his first hit of the series. 2B Tony Renda then laid down a bunt that he beat out with the help of a low throw by C Kellin Deglan. After a 1B Shawn Pleffner flyout, Payano was pulled for RHP Cody Kendall who gave up the bomb to Wooten, the first batter he faced.
Myrtle Beach went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position in the contest. In the first two games of the Mills Cup Championship Series, all five runs were scored on just two pitches. Myrtle Beach’s two runs in Game One came on an Edwin Garcia home run.
The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network, which is accessible at www.potomacnationals.com, will broadcast Game Three of the Mills Cup Championship Series on Tuesday, September 9th. Potomac will send LHP Matthew Spann (0-0, 0.00) to the mound while Myrtle Beach will toss RHP Sam Wolff (0-0, 1.50). Broadcast coverage will begin with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 6:50pm in preparation for the 7:05pm start.
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Chris Graham
