Nats one win away from GCL title
The Nationals Gulf Coast League team is one win away from capturing the championship after beating the Phillies 5-1 in their best-of-three series this afternoon in Viera, Florida. The Phillies host Game two on Saturday at noon in Clearwater, Florida.
Starter Josh Smoker went 1 2/3 innings and gave up the lone Phillies run. Christopher Kelley came on in relief and tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. If you're wondering why Smoker only lasted 1 2/3 innings, it's becuase there is a rule that pitchers at the rookie level can only throw a maximum of 40 pitches per inning and Smoker reached that limit in the second.
Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez hit a 2-run double in the second inning, which turned out to be the game-winning hit. Gonzalez is now 4-8 with five RBI in two postseason games. Johnathan Ramirez had two RBI including his first career home run. Third baseman Ronnie Labrie had two hits and scored two runs.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the second. Smoker gave up a single and threw a wild pitch to put a runner in scoring position. Second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi had two errors on one play allowing the Phillies to score the unearned run.
The Nationals answered right back in the bottom of the inning when they loaded the bases with one-out. Three consecutive singles set the table for Gonzalez, who delivered the 2-run double to left.
Ronnie Labrie manufactured a run in the third when he reached second on a two-base error. Labrie stole third and scored when the throw got by the third baseman. Ramirez's home run in the sixth put the Nationals up 4-1 and his RBI single in the eight put the finishing touches on the solid win.
If there is a Game three, it will be Sunday at noon in Viera.
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