Woodies' rally falls short against Nationals

The Down East Wood Ducks spotted the visiting Potomac Nationals an 8-0 lead through five-and-a-half innings in Tuesday’s Carolina League game at Historic Grainger Stadium. However, the Woodies made a game of it before falling 9-5 to the first-half Northern Division champions.

Second baseman Bryan Mejia finished with five RBIs from the leadoff spot for the Nationals (2-3 second half, 39-33 overall) by going 2-for-3 from the plate.

Mejia was one of six Nationals to finish with a multi-hit game, led by shortstop David Masters’ 3-for-3 performance – all doubles. The Nationals’ bats were on fire to the tune of 14 hits.

Southpaw pitcher Nick Raquet, the Washington Nationals’ third-round selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, gave up four earned runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings to earn his first victory of the season.

After falling behind 8-0, the Woodies (2-4, 37-39) scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to back-to-back RBI doubles from outfielder Alex Kowalczyk and catcher Melvin Novoa, along with a two-run double from red-hot Josh Altmann. Chuck LeBlanc added an RBI in the seventh inning to provide the final score.

First baseman Andretty Cordero led the Woodies at the plate with three hits in five at-bats to improve his batting average to .283 this season. Novoa, designated hitter Brendon Davis and shortstop Andretty Cordero had two hits each in the DEWD’s 12-hit attack.

Wood Ducks starting pitcher Robby Rowland fell to 0-1 on the season by giving up five earned runs on seven hits in only 4 innings.

The loss, in front of 1,326 fans, snapped a two-game winning streak for the Wood Ducks.

The Woodies and Nats play the third of their five-game series on Wednesday morning; the first pitch is slated for 11 a.m. at Grainger Stadium.