Hummel and Feliciano Combine on 6 RBIs in Loss to Potomac

WOODBRIDGE, VA - The Mudcats erased a five run deficit with a two-out, three-run double from Cooper Hummel and a two-out, two-run home run by Mario Feliciano in the sixth, but the late rally was not enough as the Nationals defeated the Mudcats 8-6 Friday night.

Carolina (19-15, 53-51) trailed early in Friday's series opener at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium after the Nationals (15-18, 52-48) scored twice in the first and twice in the second off starter Devin Williams. They also rallied for a run in the fourth and fifth against reliever Nathan Kirby and led 6-1 before the Mudcats began their comeback bid.
The Carolina sixth began with starter Wil Crowe walking Joantgel Segovia before getting a strikeout of Devin Hairston. Dallas Carroll then followed with a walk before being taken off the bases on a force out hit into by Demi Orimoloye. Crowe then hit Weston Wilson with a pitch to load the bases and was removed from the game.
With Crowe out of the game, Hummel then greeted new pitcher Carlos Acevedo with a double to the corner in right to clear the bases. Feliciano followed with a game tying home run, his second of the year. Hummel went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI in the loss. Feliciano also drove in three and was 1-for-3 with a home run and a run sored.
The game remained tied at 6-6 through the seventh as Nattino Diplan tossed a scoreless frame for Carolina and reliever Steven Fuentes worked through a scoreless frame for the P-Nats. Diplan (5-3, 3.91), however, later allowed a RBI single to Jack Sundberg in the eighth, allowing the Nationals to take a 7-6 lead. Diplan also lost a two base wild pitch, allowing Sundberg to score from second, while working through the remainder of the year.
Fuentes (2-1, 3.82) also worked through a scoreless ninth and went on to earn the victory. In all, he struck out three and allowed one hit over two and 2/3 scoreless frames. Diplan took the loss after allowing two runs on one hit and a walk over the final two innings.
Williams started for Carolina and ended up allowing four runs on five hits over three innings pitched. He also walked a couple and struck out one. Kirby followed and pitched through three innings with two runs and five hits allowed. He also struck out one and walked one.
Crowe started for Potomac and left the game with the bases loaded and ended up charged with four runs allowed on two hits over five and 2/3 innings pitched. Acevedo (BS, 2) took the blown save after allowing three inherited runners to score and allowed two runs and four hits over 2/3 of an inning in relief.
Bryan Mejia, Rhett Wiseman, Telmito Agustin and Sundberg each had run scoring hits for Potomac. Mejia was 1-for-5 with a RBI, Wiseman was 2-for-4 with two RBI, Agustin went 2-for-2 with two RBI and Sundgerg was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
The Mudcats next play on Saturday night in Potomac as they continue a three game road series versus the Nationals. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com.
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