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P-Nats, Astros split doubleheader

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Potomac NationalsAfter two days of rainouts at Northwest Federal Field, the Potomac Nationals (51-48, 14-18) finally began and then ended their series with the Buies Creek Astros (58-45, 21-13) with a doubleheader on Thursday night. The teams split the twin-bill, with a 2-1 Astros win in the opener and a 2-1 P-Nats walk-off victory in extra innings in game two.

The first half of the doubleheader saw the teams trade scoreless frames until Buies Creek got on the board with two runs in the sixth inning. LHP Nick Raquet (ND) struck out four batters over 2.2 innings for Potomac before he departed with an injury in the third frame, while RHP Brandon Bailey (W, 5-8) allowed just five hits over six-scoreless frames. LHP Hayden Howard followed Raquet, who departed after he got hit in the pitching arm by a line drive, and tossed 2.1 innings of shutout relief.

Potomac turned the game over to RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan (L, 0-1) for the sixth inning, as the newest member of the roster made his Washington Nationals system debut. Condra-Bogan retired the first man that he faced, but then hit RF Corey Julks and allowed a single to LF J.J. Matijevic. With men on the corners and no outs, Condra-Bogan struck out 3B Osvaldo Duarte, but the right-handed reliever followed with a wild pitch, which plated Julks and gave the Astros a 1-0 lead. CF Ronnie Dawson followed with an RBI double, as Buies Creek took a 2-0 lead into the home half of the sixth inning.

Bailey rarely found himself in trouble over his six-inning outing, as Potomac had just three men reach scoring position against the right-handed starter, and Potomac left all three at second base.

In the final frame, RHP Yohan Ramirez (SV, 2) allowed a one-out single to LF Telmito Agustin, who then scored on a two-out RBI infield single from CF Jack Sundberg. With the potential winning run at the plate, 2B Bryan Mejia flied out to Matijevic to end the game, as Buies Creek earned the 2-1 victory.

In the back-end of the doubleheader, both sides scored a single run in the third inning, while Potomac plated the only other run of the game in extra innings.

RHP Joan Baez (ND) allowed a run over five innings, as he surrendered just one hit. Baez walked five and struck out five in the no-decision.

In the top of the third inning, Baez issued a one-out walk to C Chuckie Robinson, who advanced to third base on a single by LF Jacob Meyers. A wild pitch from Baez plated Robinson and made it 1-0 Buies Creek, though Baez stranded men on the corners.

Almost immediately after the Astros took a 1-0 lead, Potomac tied the game on one swing against RHP Jose Hernandez (ND). 3B David Masters launched his fourth home run of the season with one out in the home half of the third inning. His solo home run tied the game and was the final run scored before Potomac walked off with a victory in the eighth inning.

Both bullpens were nearly flawless after five innings from both starting pitchers. RHP Jeremy McKinney (W, 3-2) struck out four batters over three perfect innings, while RHP Enoli Paredes (L, 0-1) allowed an unearned run over 2.1 innings.

With LF Telmito Agustin at second base as the free baserunner for Potomac in the home half of the eighth inning, Masters advanced the runner to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Aldrem Corredor then pinch hit for SS Edwin Lora, and launched a walk-off double to the base of the wall in centerfield. Corredor’s double gave Potomac a 2-1 victory and a doubleheader split.

With the shortened series vs. Buies Creek in the rearview mirror, Potomac will look towards the back half of the homestand and the first visit of the season from the Carolina Mudcats (Milwaukee). For Potomac, RHP Wil Crowe (10-0, 2.63) is set to start the opener. Crowe is tied for the Carolina League lead in victories. For the Mudcats, RHP Devin Williams (0-2, 4.15) is set for his 10th start of the season. Williams has not pitched more than three innings in any of his starts this season.

First pitch at Northwest Federal Field on Friday is set for 7:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 6:50pm 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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