by George W. Crossing
Brooklyn Sports Network

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Lewis-Gale Field R H E Potomac Cannons 3 4 1 Salem Avalanche 1 9 1 BSN Video -- Boxscore -- Full Story

Salem, VA- First-round draft pick Roberto Redman made his professional debut, along with seven other draft picks, for the Potomac Cannons, Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, in beating the Salem Avalanche, 3-1, to open the 2007 Carolina League season. Lefty hurler Redman went six innings, giving up just one run on six hits to earn his first win, even helping his own cause with an RBI sacrifice fly in the second. 

Fifth-round pick Marcus Lawton started the '07 scoring with a long home run on the first pitch of his pro career, leading off that second inning. The first baseman also collected three walks, the Avalanche quickly concerned with the damage his power could do. The Cannons were held to just four hits overall but also benefitted from 12 walks from Salem pitchers. Third-round pick John Pettyjohn knocked in one of those free-pass baserunners with a single in the ninth to add an insurance run. 

Lawton wasted no time making an impact in his pro debut, drilling the first pitch of the second inning well past the right field wall for a 1-0 Cannons lead. The 19-year old joins a long line of Nationals' first-base prospects behind Major League slugger David Ortiz on Washington's depth chart. After an out Salem starter Tim McClasky issued three successive walks. First-year players  second baseman Bruce Rolen (10th Rd.) and catcher Tino Gonzalez (7th Rd.) sandwiched walks around the free pass of third-year Tim Smith who played third base but also catches.

Walks to the 6-7-8 hitters brought up Redman, who doesn't have much power at the plate, so the outfield played fairly shallow. With the count at 1-2 it seemed if Redman had little chance of adding a run. Redman sent an outside pitch the other way and for a second it looked as if it might drop in. Salem rightfielder Mike Spidale showed blazing speed in positioning himself for the out but it was deep enough to score Rolen from third.

With a two-run lead Redman pitched with even more confidence, sending down the side in order in the second and third and not panicking when he put two men on in the fourth.  

In the fifth, Redman faced the first trouble of his young career. A leadoff hit followed by a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout  made it seem as if Redman mught escape unscathed. John Fagan followed with a single to put runners at the corners. First baseman Wilkin Millar drove a single up the middle, scoring Travis Espinosa for Salem's first run of 2007 and Redman's first run surrendered in his career. 

Redman walked the next batter to load the bases and the Avalanche were threatening to ruin the lefty's debut.  Carlos Rodriguez worked the count full and on the second 3-2 pitch scorched the ball to shallow left field, seemingly destined to drive in two runs. But leftfielder Kerry Haas (4th Rd) charged in, making the catch waist high and ending the threat.

Redman tossed a 1-2-3 sixth and was lifted for a pinch hitter Peter Diaz in the top of the seventh, ending his proffesional debut with a line of 6.0ip 6H 1R 1BB 1K. Not exactly Sandy Koufax but the Nationals organization should be pleased. Righty Steve Rowe came on to pitch two innings, giving up two harmless hits.

After two outs to start the top of the ninth it didn't look as if Potomac would add any insurance but walks by pinch hitter Rick Rodriguez and shortstop Jake Penny (6th Rd) set up an opportunity for third-round pick Pettyjohn. The rightfielder singled to left, scoring Rodriguez and giving the Cannons an important insurance run.  

Closer Brian Santiago came on in the bottom of the ninth, retiring the first two batters before surrendering a triple to Spidale. Unfazed, Santiago got Fagan to fly out to left, earning him his first save, and Potomac's first win, of 2007.

Cannon Report: Potomac's starting lineup had eight first-year players making their professional debut. The only starter who wasn't beginning his pro career was third baseman Tim Smith. Smith, who will see time at both third and catcher got the nod over first-year third baseman Kyle Oswalt. Oswalt, a ninth-round pick, will most likely make his debut this weekend according to coaches.

After the game Marcus Lawton said he wasn't thinking about a home run in his first at-bat but that he "just wanted to take a good cut at a pitch I could hit regardless of the count." That first pitch went 379-feet to right.

Roberto Redman's fellow lefty draftee, second-rounder Freddy Cardona, is expected to make his professional debut tomorrow. Cardona throws a four-seam fastball and a curve and will occasionally mix in a changeup. Unlike Redman Cardona doesn't have a fourth pitch to rely on just yet in his young career. 

Sat Apr 7th 1:35PM

POT LHP F. Cardona (0-0) 0.00 vs. SAL RHP F. Rijo (0-0) 0.00

Next Up: The Cannons and Avalanche play three games in Virginia to start the season. Game two is tomorrow at 1:35PM ET as Potomac's Freddy Cardona takes on Fernando Rijo for Salem and game three is Sunday also at 1:35PM (Otto Mannon vs. Bob Keppel). 

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