SEASON ENDS WITH 3-2 GAME 5 LOSS
Title Defense Ends in Frederick
September 12, 2011
(FREDERICK, MD) The 2011 Potomac Nationals’ season came to an end on Monday night with a 3-2 loss to the Frederick Keys in Game 5 of the Northern Division Series. Brian Peacock’s ninth-inning home run made it a one-run game, but Potomac came up just one tally short. Wth the win, the Keys advance to the Mills Cup Championship against the Kinston Indians, beginning tomorrow in Frederick.
The Keys got three runs on three hits in the first inning – and no hits thereafter. But a pair of home runs against Potomac starter Paul Demny in the opening inning proved too much to overcome. Jonathan Schoop hit a solo homer with one out in the opening inning, and Aaron Baker belted a two-run blast that made it 3-0. Demny retired Abner Abreu, walked Jacob Julius and was removed from the game.
Trevor Holder ad Marcos Frias put forth a heroic effort out of the bullpen. Holder got the last out of the first and pitched three more hitless, shutout innings. Frias followed in suit, shutting down Frederick for three frames without a hit. Neil Holland pitched a perfect eighth; in sum, the bullpen tossed eight and two thirds innings of shutout, hitless ball.
Jake Pettit was outstanding again and earned the win. It was Pettit’s second win of the series, and fourth overall against Potomac this season. The lefthander allowed just one run over six innings, which came in the fifth. Zach Walters led off the inning with a double, moved to second on Sandy Leon’s groundout, and scored when Jose Lozada grounded to short.
The Nationals were held at bay until there were two outs in the ninth. Peacock hit a mammoth home run to right field to pull Potomac within one, but the rally stalled when Walters struck out swinging.
The P-Nats open the 2012 season in Lynchburg on April 6. The home opener is the 13th against the Hillcats at Pfitzner Stadium. To get your season ticket plans, call the Nats ticket office at 703-590-2311.
