A three-run third inning propelled the P-Nats to an early lead and a 6-3 win over the Frederick Keys on Wednesday night at Harry Grove Stadium.
J.P. Ramirez and Sandy Leon led off the top of the third with back-to-back walks, setting up the big inning. Ramirez was wiped off the bases by a fielder choice from J.R. Higley. But one batter later, Eury Perez singled home Leon, making the game 2-0 Potomac. The center-fielder continues hit the ball well right now. He’s 12-18, five RBI, and three doubles in the past five games, including 2-4 with an RBI tonight.
The next batter up, Jeff Kobernus, duplicated Perez’s RBI single by lining a pitch into left field to score Higley. Destin Hood rounded out the big inning with the third RBI single.
Hood is just as hot as Hood. The number three hitting went 3-5 with 2 RBI and two doubles tonight. He has 15 hits in the last 11 games.
The P-Nats (15-23) picked up two more runs in the top of the fifth. An RBI infield single from Stephen Souza and a sacrifice fly from J.P. Ramirez made the game 6-2. The RBI from Souza was his 25th of the season, which ties him for 3rd in the Carolina League.
Potomac pitching held the Keys (22-16) in check for most of the night, including a solid start from normal reliever Evan Bronson. Cameron Selik was placed on the disabled list, so Bronson took his place in the rotation. The 24-year-old went three and two thirds of an inning, allowing five hits and two runs. Those two runs came on one swing by Buck Britton. In the bottom of the third inning, the Keys’ DH blasted a two-run home run. It was his 26th and 27th RBI of the year, which put him 1st in the Carolina League.
Out of the bullpen, Rafael Martin, Josh Smoker, and Dean Weaver combined for six and a third innings of one run ball.
The game was delayed in the bottom of the 9th because of rain. With a 1-2 count, two outs, and nobody on base for pinch hitter Jacob Julius, it started to pour, causing home plate umpire Rich Gonzalez to wave the players off the field. After the downpour passed, the grounds crew desperately tried to rejuvenate the field. The tarp was pulled and bags of quick dry were dumped on the field. But one hour into the delay, the game was officially called.
Tonight’s win snaps a short two game losing streak and gives the P-Nats a chance to split the four-game series with the Keys. Frederick took the first two. First pitch on Thursday is set for 11 a.m. Danny Rosebaum starts for Potomac, and Ryan O’Shea goes for Frederick.
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