Announcement
2009 came to an abrupt end on Thursday night as the Nationals fell at Genoa City 3-2 in 10 innings. The scrappy and resilient squad ended the season at 14-10 overall and saw its title run cut short.
The Nats pulled ahead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by James Herkowski. Dan Putnam scored on the play.
In the fifth, the Nats had another good scoring opportunity cut short when Mike Wajerski was caught in a rundown between third and home. There appeared to be obstruction by the Genoa City catcher on the play, but no call was made.
The game stayed 1-0 until the seventh. CJ Herrforth, starting pitcher for the Nationals, was cruising to that point but began to stiffen. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning he gave up a double and a walk. The next batter was jammed, but managed to bounce the ball over CJ and in front of second baseman Austin James. James' throw to first was late and a run scored on the play to tie the score at 1.
In the tenth, the Nationals took the lead. Dan Putnam doubled for the second time with one out and scored on a two out single from Curt Pryal.
Putnam then went back to the mound to close the door. In his fourth inning of relief, Putnam retired the first hitter before allowing a single. After striking out the next batter for out number two, Putnam battled the three hole hitter before allowing a drive to deep left center that barely eluded the glove of CF Jimmy Jungbauer and falling in for a game tying triple. When the next hitter singled through the hole on the left side, the Nationals were left to head back to the dugout for one last round of Miller High Life bottles.
The Nationals will celebrate their successful 2009 campaign on Sunday September 6 at Doyne Park in Milwaukee. The team will co-host the 22nd annual Doyne Open Golf Outing that day. The popular event is open to the public and the local ballplayers will be in attendance. For more information, call 414.305.2104.
