Announcement
Nats Down Bobcats
Jimmy Jungbauer went 8 strong innings and Mike Merritt broke open the game with a grand slam as the Nationals secured an important 8-1 victory over the Kenosha Bobcats at Zirkel Field on Tuesday night. The victory assures the Nationals of no worse than a #3 seeding in the championship playoffs which begin next week.
The game was much closer than the final score indicates. Scoreless through 5 innings, the Bobcats got on the board first on a fielders choice groundout by ex-National Johnny Meier. The Nationals answered, however, with three runs of their own. With two outs, Curt Pryal walked. Mike Merritt followed with a line single to center and after a Jared Stengel walk to load the bases, Nate Martin delivered his second hit of the game, a two run single to right center to give the Nats a 2-1 lead. The Nats picked up a third run on a double steal - Martin stealing second and Stengel scampering home.
The Nats put the game away in the seventh. After Matt Richer was hit by a pitch and Nick Lingvay walked, Colby Gee lined an RBI single to left to put the Nats up 4-1. A Curt Pryal walk then set the stage for Mike Merritt's monumental blast to left to put the Nationals safely ahead 8-1.
Jungbauer was sharp all night. He allowed only 4 hits while striking out 5 and walking 3. Eric Schrader pitched a scoreless ninth.
Next up for the Nationals are the Racine Kiwanis at historic Horlick Field on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:30pm.