Despite a ninth inning grand slam from DH Ian Sagdal, the Potomac Nationals (41-43, 4-12) dropped their fourth straight matchup to the Salem Red Sox (41-43, 9-7). Sagdal’s first home run of the year broke up a potential shutout, as the Red Sox picked up the 9-4 victory. It’s the second losing streak of at least four games for Potomac in the last two weeks.
Salem got off to a quick start against LHP Ben Braymer (L, 3-3), as they put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, LF Ryan Scott popped up to shallow left field. SS Luis Garcia went out to make the catch, but lost the ball in the sun, as the ball landed a few feet behind him. Two runs scored on the sun-aided base hit, as the Red Sox led 2-0 before the P-Nats even stepped to the plate.
LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (W, 5-5) did not allow a hit over 5.2 innings for Salem, though he did walk five. The left-handed starter faced just one over the minimum through his first four frames, and despite the walks, struck out a career-high 10 batters.
The Red Sox put the game away with five runs in the top of the fourth inning, all against Braymer. CF Trenton Kemp made it 4-0 Salem with a two-run home run, while SS C.J. Chatham, 1B Michael Osinski, and RF Deiner Lopez each picked up an RBI in the frame. Salem took a 7-0 lead to the halfway point of the series finale.
Potomac threatened in the fifth inning against Hernandez, as the Salem starter issued three straight walks with one out in the inning. CF Jack Sundberg struck out swinging, while 2B Bryan Mejia followed with a swinging strikeout. Potomac left 12 men on base in the loss.
In relief of Hernandez, RHP Jared Oliver allowed two hits and walked three batters over 2.1 innings of shutout relief. Potomac got its first hit of the game on a one-out bunt single from Sundberg, which loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Oliver retired Mejia and then Garcia as he escaped.
After a scoreless eighth frame from Oliver, Salem turned to RHP Yankory Pimentel for the ninth frame, though the right-handed reliever retired just one hitter. 3B David Masters led off the inning with a double, while Sundberg walked. After 2B Edwin Lora flied out, Garcia loaded the bases with a single. Sagdal stepped in, and for the first time in 2018, notched up a home run. It was Potomac’s league-best sixth grand slam of the season, and fourth against Salem. RHP Algenis Martinez then entered, and quickly struck out both C Tres Barrera and 1B Aldrem Corredor and ended the matchup, as the Red Sox picked up the 7-4 win.
The P-Nats will turn to the road and look to snap the four-game losing streak, as they will begin a series vs. the Lynchburg Hillcats on Monday night. In the opener, RHP Matthew DeRosier (0-1, 7.27) is set to make his third start of the year for Potomac. DeRosier departed his last start after 3.2 innings due to an apparent injury. For the Hillcats, RHP Zach Plesac (5-4, 4.99) is set to take the mound. Plesac has picked up the victory in each of his two starts this year vs. Potomac.
First pitch at Calvin Falwell Field on Monday is set for 6:30pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:15pm 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
