Soto goes deep again as P-Nats win, 5-1

Behind the league-leading seventh home run of the season from LF Juan Soto, and a one-hit performance by the pitching staff, the Potomac Nationals (19-14) picked up a 5-1 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (14-18) on Wednesday night. RHP Joan Baez (W, 1-2) allowed a hit to the first man that he faced, Wilmington’s only hit of the game.

The Blue Rocks struck first and plated their lone run of the night in the first inning. RF Kort Peterson led off the bottom of the first inning with a double, moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a groundout by CF Khalil Lee. Baez allowed just three more men to reach base over five innings, all on walks.

Potomac immediately tied the game with a run in the top of the second inning. Against RHP Jace Vines (L, 1-5), 1B Ian Sagdal and C Tres Barrera began the inning with consecutive singles. After DH Telmito Agustin lined out to centerfield, RF Rhett Wiseman tied the game with an RBI single.

The score remained 1-1 until the top of the fifth inning. Vines, who allowed 11 hits over six innings, allowed a leadoff single to 2B Edwin Lora. After CF Blake Perkins grounded out, SS Carter Kieboom reached on an error. With two men on, Soto launched a ball over the right field wall. In just 15 games, Soto leads the league with seven home runs and has 18 RBIs. Later in the frame, Barrera made it 5-1 with an RBI groundout.

After five innings from Baez, RHP Jorge Pantoja worked three scoreless innings. Pantoja faced just one over the minimum. In the final frame, RHP Ronald Pena retired the side in order.

One hit is the fewest surrendered by the Potomac pitching staff thus far in 2018. It was Potomac’s fourth time where the staff allowed just one run. The team has yet to record a shutout.

Now matching a season high five games over .500, Potomac will head to face off with the Frederick Keys. The series opens up on Thursday night, as RHP Kyle McGowin (0-1, 9.00) will make his second start of the season for Potomac. In his debut, he allowed five runs, four earned, over four innings in a loss to the Salem Red Sox. For Frederick, RHP Jhon Peluffo (2-0, 4.76) is set to make third start of the season, his seventh appearance overall. In his lone appearance against Potomac, Peluffo gave up three runs over three innings out of the bullpen, but picked up the victory.

First pitch at Nymeo Field on Thursday night is set for 7:00pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:45pm with the P-Nats Leadoff Show. You can listen to the Potomac broadcast at potomacnationals.com or on the TuneIn Radio App.