Nationals upend K-Tribe

Published in Sports on August 21, 2007 1:47 PM

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KINSTON -- Justin Maxwell and Brett McMillan provided key, late-inning hits as Potomac upended Southern Division leader Kinston 9-6 at historic Grainger Stadium on Monday evening.

Maxwell's eighth-inning home run, a three-run blast, silenced a seventh-inning K-Tribe rally. McMillan's ninth-inning, two-RBI single -- with the bases loaded -- helped the Nationals collect their 29th victory in second-half play this season.

Kinston (34-23) also loaded the bases in the ninth, but couldn't create another comeback attempt. Potomac starter Ross Detweiler allowed three hits and no earned runs in a five-inning stint for his first-ever minor league victory.

The K-Tribe stranded a season-high 13 runners. John Drennen batted 3-for-5, while Dustin Realini and Jerad Head supplied two hits apiece. Chris Gimenez slugged a seventh-inning home run, his 19th of the season.

Starter Jim Deters (10-4) threw five-plus innings and yielded four earned runs on six hits in the loss. Ryan Edell and Kyle Collins saw action out of the bullpen in relief of Deters.

The teams continue their three-game series today. Game time is 7 p.m.

Mudcats 3, Huntsville 2

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Jai Miller's seventh-inning, sacrifice fly accounted for the game-winning hit as Carolina turned back Huntsville 3-2 at Joe Davis Stadium on Monday evening.

Left-hander Corey Thurman (4-7) couldn't protect the Stars' 2-0 advantage. The Mudcats' Eric Riggs evened the contest at 2-2 with a sixth-inning, two-run homer -- his 11th of the season.

Grant Psomas started the Carolina seventh with a lead-off double and advanced to third on Frank Moore's sacrifice bunt. Miller followed with a deep fly ball to center field and Psomas trotted home for the one-run advantage.

Carolina's Scott Nestor worked two shutout innings and Ben Julianel threw a perfect eighth inning. Brandon Villafuerte yielded a ninth-inning single, but closed the door for his second save of the season.

The Mudcats (27-29) remained six games behind the division-leading Stars in North Division play. Huntsville (33-23) is the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The teams continue their series tonight.