Marrero leads Potomac over Lynchburg
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By Joe Conroy
Published: May 26, 2008
He knew it was gone, a majestic two-run shot in the third inning that not one of the 3,942 at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium could doubt Monday afternoon.
It was just part of the Nationals’ five-run frame that led the squad to a 12-4 win over Lynchburg, but Marrero’s home run was a welcome sight from the first baseman.
Marrero, 19, has been mired in a slump of late, dropping his average to .231 coming into the game, and he had not hit a long-ball since May 20 at Wilmington, a stretch of seven games. Washington’s top prospect entered the game against the Hillcats on a 1-for-17 slide (with a walk, an RBI and four strikeouts) before a 2-for-3 day that included a double and two walks.
“While I’ve been struggling I’ve been getting hits, but I just have to be more consistent,” Marrero said. “Everyone struggles at some point; no one’s perfect. I just want to get it over with now so when it comes at a later time, maybe in the big leagues, I know what I’m doing.”
Marrero’s blast (his seventh this year) gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead and, after Potomac added two more runs in the inning, starter Craig Stammen’s performance on the mound made the lead stand. Stammen struck out 10 in eight frames of work, both career-highs for the right-hander.
The win was the first for Stammen (1-1) as a starter since June 20 of last year.
Most of the 24-year-old’s innings at Potomac this year have come in relief, separating his wins by nearly a year. Stammen, who spent part of this year with Triple-A Columbus, was the No. 21 prospect in the Washington organization a year ago but fell out of the top 30 for 2008.
“I’ve felt good almost every time I’ve gone out there,” the Versailles, Ohio-native said, “today was just a little better than the others. I felt really good today.”
Stammen, after struggling in the third inning as well, set down 14 in a row, including four perfect frames during that stretch before a lead-off double by Eddie Prasch in the eighth.
“In the beginning of the game, I made some adjustments and went with a little more offspeed,” Stammen said. “I had a really good fastball, but they’re a good fastball-hitting team. I had to mix the curveball and changeup in there.”
Marrero was hardly the only bright spot for the Nationals offensively. The P-Nats pounded-out 17 hits against Lynchburg, a season-high for Potomac. The Nationals entered the game with the worst collective batting average in the Carolina League, a clip of just .239.
Lead-off hitter Michael Martinez went 4 for 5, scoring three times, and Matt Rogelstad drove in four on two doubles and a two-run homer. Edgardo Baez (4 for 5, four RBI) also smacked a two-run home run to give Potomac their first three-homer day since May 22 versus Wilmington and it was the third time the team accomplished that feat this year.
Five of the nine hitters had multi-hit performances.
Krebs leaves early
Lynchburg reliever Eric Krebs exited the game after taking a line drive on the left side of his head off the bat of Potomac catcher Brian Peacock.
Krebs, who entered the game in the sixth, stayed on his knees next to the mound for several moments after being struck while the Hillcats’ trainer came onto the field before Krebs recovered to his feet.
Talking and alert, the right-hander was removed from the game and headed to the visiting clubhouse before being taken to an area hospital after complaining of dizziness.
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