Wilmington takes series with Potomac with 4-1 win

Wilmington (55-64-Overall, 22-41-Road, 22-27-Second Half) scored two runs in the top of the first and cruised to the 4-1 win in the rubber match at Pfitzner Stadium on Sunday night, defeating Potomac (55-64-Overall, 29-31-Home, 22-27-Second Half) to win the series.

RHP Brian Rauh (2-2, 2.47) toed the rubber for Potomac and Wilmington got to him early. He hit 2B Carlos Garcia to open the outing and then SS Jack Lopez singled after Garcia swiped second base. 3B Mauricio Ramos reached on a fielder’s choice ball that saw Garcia get put out at home plate and then 1B Ryan O’Hearn laced a two-run double into the gap to give the Blue Rocks a 2-0 lead. O’Hearn, in the series, drove in nine runs over three games and connected for three home runs.

Potomac, against RHP Zach Lovvorn (3-3, 3.61), scored their only run of the game in the second inning when 2B Khayyan Norfork singled. C Zach Wright followed with an RBI triple to make it a 2-1 ballgame but that was the closest the Nationals came in the game.

Wilmington added a run in the third when Hearn left the building for a solo home run, his fifth of the year and third of the series against the Nationals to push the advantage to 3-1.

Rauh settled down after the third inning and held Wilmington scoreless in his final four innings of work from the fourth through the seventh, giving up three hits. Rauh tied a season high, recording nine strikeouts in the losing effort.

LHP R.C Orlan entered in relief of Rauh in the eighth inning and allowed an insurance run to Wilmington. With two outs LF Alfredo Escalera tripled and C Cam Gallagher doubled him home to make it a 4-1 game.

Lovvorn hauled through seven innings, allowing just the one run on six hits, issuing one walk with two strikeouts in the win.

RHP Estarlin Cordero (SV 8) threw the final two innings, recording a scoreless eighth and ninth to pick up his eighth save of season.

RHP Phillips Valdez pitched the final inning for Potomac, facing just four batters in the frame.

Potomac, with the 4-1 loss, has lost two ballgames in a row and will remain 5.5 games back of the Lynchburg Hillcats.

After a scheduled off day tomorrow, Potomac opens up a six-day, seven-game road trip on Tuesday against the familiar Wilmington Blue Rocks. The starting pitchers are to be announced for both ballclubs.

From the first state, it will feature a double dip, consisting of two seven inning contests, with a first pitch set for 5:05 pm.

As always you can listen live via the TuneIn Radio App and at www.potomacnationals.com beginning at 4:50 pm on Tuesday with the “P-Nats Lead-Off Show.”