Rejuvenated with the additions of Victor Robles and Max “For Those About To” Schrock, the Potomac offense continues to roll as they took their fourth straight with a 5-1 win over Carolina.
It also helps to have some good pitching, which a well-rested Erick Fedde provided with six innings of one-run ball on three hits and a walk. The Nats’ #1 pick from the 2014 draft (18th overall) picked up his fifth win while striking out eight, the first time he’s had more K’s than IP since May 23.
The P-Nats got on the board first in the 1st with a Victor Robles walk, a one-out steal of 2nd, and a triple from Jose “Orange” Marmolejos.
In the 2nd, Robles was involved again but the hard way. After Alec Keller and Bryan Mejia singled and Austin Davidson walked, Robles took the first of three (3) hit by pitches to get the Homer Simpson RBI and a 2-0 lead.
Carolina crept back with a long solo HR to right-center by Braxton Davidson to cut the Potomac lead to 2-1. Fedde shook it off and rolled a grounder to third then went on a strikeout tear, finishing the fourth with a pair and setting down the side by way of the K in the 6th.
Max Schrock extended his hit streak to 13 with a two-out infield single, making it easier for manager Tripp Keister to pull the plug on Fedde (82 pitches, 49 for strikes) and go to the ‘pen. Tommy Peterson took over and retired the side in order in the 7th, fanning two.
Justin Thomas came on in the 8th and also set the side down in order, then with an extra two runs courtesy of Robles (sacrifice fly) and Schrock (RBI double), worked around a two-out single to finish the game and get his second save in as many outings.
The win improves Potomac to 11-3 in the second half, which is good for a 2½ game lead over first-half champ Lynchburg. Game Two of Four between the P-Nats and Mudcats has a lefty-righty matchup of Matt Crownover (0-3, 5.83) vs. Matt Withrow (5-4, 3.44).