Instead of six runs total, the P-Nats decided to give ’em up in just one inning, turning a 2-2 tie into an 8-2 deficit as they went on to lose, 8-3.
Luis Reyes walked the first two batters of the game, then retired nine straight and give the illusion that he might be settling in for a quality start. Instead, he lost a no-hitter after three and a 1/3rd with yet another homer hit by Ryan O’Hearn off the second row of signage in right field.
Potomac briefly took the lead with two in the bottom of the 4th as Jose “The Orange” Marmolejos sliced the first of two doubles to left-center and scored on Alec Keller’s two-out, two-run double.
The Little League defense that’s been on display the entire series led or contributed to the next seven runs, including a botched double play in the 5th and a dropped infield pop in the 6th. Reyes also did his part by hitting two batters in the two innings and three total.
After falling behind 8-2 after five and a half, Potomac drew back-to-back walks in the 6th… and left ‘en there. In the 7th, they got the leadoff man on with a hit by a pitch, then hit into a double play.
In the 8th, the P-Nats finally broke through with “The Orange’s” second double, a walk to Dale Carey and an RBI single by Drew Ward, who continues to hit well with men on base.
Despite two strong innings from Jake Johansen and another overpowering outing by Koda Glover, there was no 9th inning magic for Potomac as they went in order.
The homestand continues with a three-game set against Lynchburg. Tomorrow night, Phillips Valdez (2-0, 4.50) is expceted to start for the P-Nats, opposed by Mitch Brown (0-1, 7.71) for the Hillcats.