Seven-run eighth highlights 10-0 Potomac win

With a 13-batter, seven-run eighth inning, the Potomac Nationals (38-31, 1-1) picked up a 10-0 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (32-40, 1-1). Already ahead 3-0 as the teams entered the home half of the eighth inning, Potomac used six walks and four hits to bust the game wide open and level the first series of the second half at one game apiece.

After 3.5 scoreless innings, Potomac put up three runs against RHP Gerson Garabito (L, 2-6) in the home half of the fourth frame. 3B Ian Sagdal led off the inning with a double, while C Tres Barrera put men on the corners with a single. RF Rhett Wiseman made it 1-0 with an RBI double, while LF Nick Banks followed with a two-run single two batters later. Potomac led 3-0 after four frames.

In his second spot start of the season, LHP Ben Braymer (W, 3-1) did not allow a run over six innings. Braymer has put that combination together in each of his two starts. On Friday night, the left-handed starter struck out six batters and allowed only three hits. Braymer faced the minimum over his final three innings.

Out of the Potomac bullpen, RHP Steven Fuentes retired all six batters that he faced, while RHP James Bourque worked around a HBP and single in a scoreless ninth inning.

After RHP Justin Camp worked a scoreless seventh inning out of the Wilmington bullpen, the Blue Rocks called upon LHP Josh Mitchell to begin the home half of the eighth inning. All seven batters that stepped in against Mitchell reached base and eventually scored. Mitchell did not record an out and was charged with seven earned runs. Banks highlighted the inning with a three-run triple, while the P-Nats also drew two bases loaded walks. The seven-run frame was the second biggest scoring inning of the season for Potomac. Banks finished with five RBIs in just his second Carolina League game.

Saturday night, LHP Matthew Crownover (3-5, 5.37) will look to make it consecutive wins for Potomac. It will be the sixth start of the year vs. Wilmington for Crownover, who is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA vs. the Blue Rocks in 2018. For Wilmington, RHP Nolan Watson (Debut) will make his first career Carolina League start. The first round draft pick by Kansas City in 2015 went 4-6 with a 5.81 ERA in 13 starts for Class-A Lexington before his promotion to the Blue Rocks.

First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Saturday is set for 6:35pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:20pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com or on the TuneIn Radio App.