Announcement
Bandits Steal Victory from Nats
1PM came early Sunday. That said, the squad was as well prepared as a squad with an aggregate of 10 hours of sleep could be. On the field and semi-sober at 12PM, the team went through an interesting round of batting practice and infield as they readied themselves for their fourth game in 36 hours.
Despite the effort, the team found itself behind 3-0 after 3 innings thanks to a couple of wind-blown homers against Nats starter, Curt Pryal, and three Manitowoc double plays.
Our locals would not be denied, however. Danny Putnam led off with a double and aggressively went to third on an infield ground out. The play drew a throw from the first baseman after he had completed the putout, but it sailed over the third baseman's head, allowing the Nats to tally their first run.
The Nats second run was also produced by aggressive baserunning. With runners on first and third and one out, George James broke early for second and got held up in a rundown long enough for Kellen Haynes to sprint home from third with run #2.
Putnam fueled the Nats biggest rally of the game in the 6th. His leadoff triple rattled the opposition's starter and the next two batters walked. With the bases loaded and none out, Curt Pryal then hit a sharp grounder to third. Putnam was off on contact and his speed forced the Bandit's third baseman to rush a throw home. The result: ball to the screen and two runs in. Jared Stengal followed with a long sacrifice fly to CF and the Nats had a 5-3 lead going into the bottom half of the inning.
That would be it for the Nats offense, though. Two more Manitowoc double plays defused Nats rallies and the team left the field with a tough 7-5 loss.
Next up are the Burlington Barons on Saturday May 31 in Burlington. First pitch of the DH is set for 6PM.
