Potomac Nationals Slide by the Frederick Keys to Tie Up Series One Game Each

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – In another closely contested, well-played ball game, the Potomac Nationals defeated the Frederick Keys 3-2, in game two of a three-game series. The P-Nats' win evens the series at one game apiece.

The Nationals jumped on Frederick starter Kyle Schmidt early. With one out, 2B Matt Rogelstad singled. CF Frank Diaz followed that up with a double. With runners on second and third, Nats top prospect Chris Marrero hit a ground ball to second, scoring Rogelstad, and giving Potomac a 1-0 lead.

The Keys were able to tie the game in the bottom half of the second inning. With two men out, 3B Billy Rowell reached on a Rogelstad-error. The next batter, 1B Brandon Snyder, worked the count full against Nationals starter Adrian Alaniz, before hitting a double to the wall in left-center, scoring Rowell.

Schmidt was removed from the game after throwing 75 pitches. He ended up going 3.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits, walking one, hitting two batters, and striking out four. He received the no decision.
RHP Ryan Ouellette came in to relieve Schmidt. Rogelstad led off the top of the fifth with a single. Ouellette retired the next two batters he faced, before giving up a two-run homer to Nationals 3B Leonard Davis, giving Potomac a 3-1 lead.

Alaniz came out of the game in the top of the sixth, having allowed one unearned run on four hits, and in position to get the win. RHP Craig Stamman came into the game, and gave up a monster homerun to the first batter he faced, C Matt Wieters. It was his Carolina League-leading fifth long ball of the season, and pulled the Keys to within one.

Stamman settled down, however, and retired the next nine batters he faced. RHP Zech Zinicola came into the game for Potomac in the ninth, and set the side down in order, picking up his first save of the season.
Alaniz received the win, he improved to 2-0. Ouellette was the loser, dropping his record to 0-2.

Washington Nationals OF Elijah Dukes started the game at DH for Potomac. The powerful right-handed batter went 0-2 in four plate appearances. He was hit by a pitch and walked. Dukes was also thrown out trying to steal second. He will be playing in tomorrow afternoon's game, as well.

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