The Potomac Nationals (21-19, 58-49) returned to action for a doubleheader against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (16-26, 50-62), taking both ends of the twin bill with tightly-contested, late-game victories. The Red, White, & Blue swept both games of a doubleheader for the second time this season, securing a series victory over Myrtle Beach.
C Jakson Reetz played the hero in game one, driving in the lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh to give Potomac a walk-off win for the fifth time this season.
DH Nick Banks started off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from CF Jack Sundberg. Myrtle Beach LHP Manuel Rondon (L, 0-2) walked the next batter, RF Rhett Wiseman, with ball four resulting in a wild pitch that moved Banks to third. Rondon intentionally walked LF Telmito Agustin to load the bases and set up a force at every base, but Reetz connected on a single down the left field line that just barely hit inside the chalk.
The seventh inning rally made a winner out of RHP A.J. Bogucki (2-1) who pitched the final two innings in scoreless fashion in relief of starter LHP Ben Braymer (ND). The lack of offense gave Braymer a tough-luck no decision, as the first-year P-Nat struck out a career-high 10 batters over 5.0 scoreless innings.
Game two featured another pitcher’s duel, with The P-Nats taking a late lead yet again.
RHP Kyle Johnston (W, 3-1) went the distance for The Red, White, & Blue, striking out seven batters over 7.0 innings, allowing just one run on two hits. The lone blemish for Johnston came on a solo home run from Jared Young (4) in the top of the fourth.
After falling behind 1-0, the Potomac offense answered right away. With two outs, Banks singled off of Myrtle Beach starter Bryan Hudson (L, 6-9) and swiped second base. 1B David Masters followed with an RBI single to even the score at one a piece.
The P-Nats took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, drawing three walks against Hudson in the frame. 2B Bryan Mejia connected on a one-out single, setting the stage for three straight free passes. After Hudson walked DH Luis Garcia and 3B Ian Sagdal, C Tres Barrera took ball four, scoring Mejia and giving Potomac the lead.
Johnston took care of the final three innings in scoreless fashion, working around a one-out walk in the seventh to finish off the complete game win. Johnston’s complete came effort is the first since Tyler Mapes threw a nine-inning shutout on 7/15 vs Buies Creek.
Potomac will attempt to complete a sweep of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow with RHP Joan Baez (6-8, 4.47) on the mound. Baez picked up a win against the Pelicans on 7/19, tossing 5.1 innings while giving up three runs. LHP Justin Steele (0-0, 0.00) will face the P-Nats for the first time this season, making his seventh start of the year.
First pitch at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium on Sunday is set for 1:05pm. The Potomac broadcast will get underway at 12:50pm 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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