WRAL Sports Fan

Mudcats

Errors cost Mudcats in 4-3 loss

Jul 7, 2012

Woodbridge, Va. — A day after committing five errors against Salem, the Carolina Mudcats faltered on two different occasions that led to pivotal runs in a 4-3 loss to the Potomac Nationals on Saturday night at Pfitzner Stadium.

Carolina dropped to 10-6 in the second half, and 42-45 overall. Potomac (9-8, 40-47) scored the winning run on Kevin Keyes’ 10th home run of the year in the eighth inning.

J.D. Reichenbach (3-3) allowed the winning home run. It was his only blemish in an inning pitched. Drew Storen (1-0), on a rehab assignment for the Washington Nationals, earned the win despite losing a two-run lead in the eighth. Jimmy Barthmaier tossed a scoreless ninth for his third save.

With the game tied 1-1, reliever Jordan Cooper was scratched for two runs, both unearned, thanks to a couple of miscues throughout the middle innings.

The Mudcats tied the game 3-3 by scoring a pair in the top of the eighth. Carlos Moncrief cut the lead to one by scoring Tony Wolters from third on fly ball to center. A ground ball off the bat of Anthony Gallas, toward third, created havoc in the infield. The ensuing chaos allowed the tying run to score from second on two Potomac errors.

Wolters extended his hitting streak to a team-high 12 games with a pair of doubles. The 20-year-old drove in his 35th RBI in the third inning, and drew two walks.

Xavier Nady had a walk and a strikeout in his two plate appearances while rehabbing with the P-Nats.

The Mudcats continue their series with Potomac on Sunday night at 1:05 p.m. Carolina returns to Five County Stadium on July 16 to host the Winston-Salem Dash.