No hits… Doesn’t matter, as Potomac wins without one

By Robert Daski

Published: April 29, 2008

The Potomac Nationals have won games this year by coming from behind. They have also had a 10-game win streak.

But the baseball gods were really smiling on them in game two of a doubleheader on Tuesday night.

The Nationals scored a run on a passed ball, one on a bases-loaded walk and one on a fielder's choice.

They beat the Winston-Salem Warthogs 3-2 … without getting a hit.

But it is not rare to witness a game like this.

"When I was managing in Savannah, we won a game 5-4 and got no-hit," Potomac manager Randy Knorr said. "This is the second time I've seen that."

It is the first no-hitter thrown at Pfitzner Stadium since May 19, 1995 when the home team beat Frederick 7-0.

Peninsula was the last Carolina League team to toss a no-hitter and lose. Its starting pitcher Henry Mack did so against Lynchburg on July 1, 1978, falling 3-2.

The only outcome of an-bat that came into question was a ball hit in the sixth inning by Potomac's Brian Peacock. The ball went underneath the glove and between the legs of Warthogs third baseman C.J. Retherford. The official scorer gave Retherford an error.

Down 2-0, the Nationals (16-7) benefited from four sixth inning walks, exercising patience at the plate and showing the ability to drag out at-bats.

"When you're in a game like that, guys are always trying to tie it up with home runs," Knorr said. "You've got to be patient with baserunners.

"When you think about base hits, you get in a better zone. When you try to hit home runs, you swing at bad pitches."

In game one, Potomac pitcher Cory VanAllen tossed seven scoreless innings to lead Potomac to a 1-0 win in eight innings.

VanAllen matched his Warthogs counterpart, Michael Dubee scoreless inning for scoreless inning.

His lone blemish was a fourth inning double hit by the Warthogs' Lee Cruz.

"He's got very good stuff," said Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca, a member of the Washington Nationals who played for Potomac while attempting to work back from a right hand contusion.

"He's got a good fastball, a good slider," Lo Duca added. "He worked both sides of the plate. He's got a good future."

VanAllen's future may be in Double-A Harrisburg if he continues to throw as well as he has this year. He has allowed only two earned runs in 16 innings. He entered Tuesday's start with a 0.89 ERA.

"It's comforting," VanAllen said. "There are going to be days where you're not going to have your best stuff. Having [your best pitches] opens the door because you don't have to rely on one pitch as an out pitch."

One pitch VanAllen is developing is a slider. He occasionally threw it during the evening and looks to use it more in future outings.

"I'm not hesitant to throw it [in counts of] 0-0, 1-0, 2-2, 3-2," VanAllen said. "It's about having confidence in that pitch."

Though he set himself up to earn a win, VanAllen received a no-decision. He gave way to Adam Carr in the eighth inning. Carr retired the Warthogs in the eighth.

Carr earned the win after Elijah Dukes, a major leaguer also on a rehabilitation assignment due to a right hamstring injury, singled home Steve Doetsch in the bottom of the eighth.

Dukes went 2-for-4 in taking another step toward returning to Washington.

"You've got to get at-bats," Dukes said. "I've been off for a long time. I've got to get my feet wet again and get back into my form. I'm starting to feel a little better, so that's a plus.

"The key is getting those hits and trying to stir up that bat."

Lo Duca plans to play for Potomac tonight. He did not play in game two. He left Pfitzner Stadium and went to Nationals Park where the Washington Nationals were playing. He planned to speak with team officials about his performance on Tuesday.

But he feels fine.

"I'm good to go," he said. "I have no issues swinging or throwing."

NOTE: Potomac relief pitcher Craig Stammen was promoted to Triple-A Columbus and catcher Devin Ivany promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. Catcher Jhonatan Solano has joined Potomac from Low-A Hagerstown