For the second straight game, the Potomac pitchers coughed up nine runs, losing this one 9-1. Walks were the culprit in this debacle — seven given up, six of them coming around to score — as the Mudcats only had two extra-base hits, quite the contrast from Friday night.
The damage came in three big innings… a three-run 3rd, a three-run 7th, and a two-run 8th. All three pitchers were torched touched, with Matt Grace giving up four runs on seven hits, Joe Testa two runs on four walks, and Wilson Eusebio giving up three runs, and both extra-base hits.
It should come as no surprise to learn that Potomac has given up the most runs (earned or otherwise) in High-A baseball.
Offensively, as the “1” suggests, things weren’t clicking. Justin Bloxom’s solo HR in the 3rd — a monster shot that cleared the high fence in right field was one of just four balls hit out of the infield. Randolph Oduber’s double to left was the second, Zach Walters nearly hit one over the Carolina centerfielder in the 7th (he snagged it on the run, taking two steps onto the warning track), and Bloxom struck again with a single two batters later.
Three hits, seven baserunners, and six left on base, and 0-for-6 with RISP. That was the extent of the offense.
With the loss, Potomac falls to 13-19 and back into 3rd place in the Carolina League North. Paul Applebee (1-0, 4.40) gets the Sunday start this afternoon and the task of helping to avoid a three-game sweep and a 1-6 road trip.