Despite falling into an early 2-0 hole, the Potomac Nationals (15-11 Overall, 5-8 Home) rallied for the biggest comeback of the season, as they rallied from a multi-run hole for the first time in 2016. The P-Nats scored a single run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings as they took down the Frederick Keys (12-17 Overall, 9-7 Road) 3-2 Saturday night at Pfitzner Stadium.
Despite a season high seven walks, RHP Luis Reyes (ND) allowed only two runs over five+ innings. Five straight men reached to start the fourth inning, as an RBI double by 3B Jomar Reyes mad it 1-0 Frederick, and a bases loaded groundout by LF T.J. Olesczuk made it 2-0. Despite the seven walks, Reyes gave up just three hits and struck out one in the no-decision.
Opposite Reyes, RHP Matthew Grimes (L, 3-2) allowed three runs, two earned, over 5.1 innings. Grimes has yet to give up more than two earned runs in a start in 2016, but an error by SS Erick Salcedo led to an unearned run that tied the game and the righty failed to make it through six innings.
The P-Nats loaded the bases with no outs against Grimes in the fourth inning before LF Alec Keller made it a one-run game with an RBI groundout. Grimes then got C Matt Reistetter to pop out and DH Cody Dent to ground out and maintain a 2-1 lead.
Potomac then took advantage of an error by Salcedo with two outs in the fifth inning. 1B Jose Marmolejos reached on Salcedo’s throwing error, moved to third base on a wild pitch from Grimes, and then scored on an RBI single by RF Dale Carey. The game went to the sixth inning tied at two.
Reyes walked the first to men in the top of the sixth inning, but RHP Mario Sanchez (W, 1-0) retired Reyes, C Jonah Heim, and LF Tad Gold to keep the game tied at two. Grimes returned for the sixth inning and gave up a one-out triple to Keller. Reistetter, who had left three men on base in his first two at-bats, doubled over the head of right fielder Cam Kneeland, which plated Keller and put Potomac ahead 3-2, the eventual final.
Sanchez worked three-shutout innings out of the pen and allowed just one hit. RHP Ryan Brinley (SV, 4) came on for the ninth and struck out a pair in a scoreless frame. The Keys went just 1-13 with RISP and left nine men on. Potomac meanwhile had three hits in 14 at-bats with men in scoring position and left on eight. With two hits, Carey extended his hitting streak to an active team high five games.
In the rubber match Sunday afternoon, Potomac will look to RHP Phillips Valdez (3-1, 4.40) in an effort to take the series. Opposite Valdez, RHP Cory Jones (1-1, 3.94) will make the start for the Keys. First pitch at Pfitzner Stadium is set for 1:05pm. The “P-Nats Lead-Off Show” gets underway at 12:50pm. You can listen to the broadcast at PotomacNationals.com or via the TuneIn Radio App. Celebrate Mother’s Day at the ballpark with the P-Nats, as a special pre-game picnic is available for a $7 add-on to any ticket.
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