P-Nats' Lozada provides late inning heroics

Prince William County, Va. - The plan was for Nyjer Morgan to get his at-bats and regain his rhythm and timing.

On Sunday, The Washington Nationals center fielder accomplished that.

While Morgan may have received cheers from the Pfitzner Stadium faithful, Jose Lozada really gave the fans reason to cheer.

His walk-off two-run home run gave the Potomac Nationals a 7-5 10-inning victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

The blast gave Potomac a sweep of the series, stamped a three-run come-from-behind win and continued the Nationals' assertiveness on first place in the Northern Division.

Potomac leads Wilmington by two and a half games in the race for the second half title and postseason berth.

"It's hard to come from behind," Lozada said. "But if you execute, you're going to win."

Lozada's fifth home run marked his second dramatic home run this year. He drilled a home run to give Potomac (28-19 second half, 59-58 overall) a late-inning win over Lynchburg back in April. That home run was on a ball hit to right field. His latest home run was hit to left field.

"With two outs, you try to drill the ball in the gap," Lozada said. "I'm looking for a fastball in and [the pitcher] threw it to me. I just hit it."

As for Morgan, he flew out twice and grounded out, but he emerged from Sunday's rehabilitation assignment with Potomac confident about his direction.

Morgan made a rehabilitation appearance after landing on the disabled list with inflammation in his right hip.

"I was just trying to get [out there]," said Morgan, who served as Potomac's designated hitter. "I had been out for a week and a half, a couple of weeks. So I just wanted to work on some things."

Morgan will play Monday night with Low-A Hagerstown and Tuesday with Double-A Harrisburg before rejoining the Washington Nationals in Atlanta during their series with the Braves.

Said Potomac manager Gary Cathcart: "I talked to him [on Sunday] morning. He was able to see some pitches and work on some things. He took 15 pitches in three at-bats. It was all about timing."

Even with an objective of returning to the major leagues, Morgan returned to the level he was at in 2005 and 2006. Signed by the Pirates in 2002, Morgan played two years in the Carolina League and stole a combined 78 bases with the Lynchburg Hillcats. He experienced a four-year minor league career before reaching the major leagues with Pittsburgh in 2007.

He then changed organizations when Washington acquired him from the Pirates on June 30, 2009 in a trade for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan.

"It brought me back," Morgan said. "With these guys, they're trying to do what it takes to get to the big league level. You can't forget where you came from."

Morgan admired the camaraderie Potomac (27-20 second half, 58-59 overall) showed in its clubhouse. He only wanted to interact with the players and advise them on improvements they could make to their respective games.

"It was just about [talking] with the guys and staying loose," Morgan said. "I didn't want to come in here and be a manager."

Morgan retreated to Pfitzner Stadium's home clubhouse following his fifth inning at-bat. Pinch-hitter Derek Norris filled his lineup spot and walked twice.

But it was Rob Wort who really came through.

The right-handed relief pitcher made his High-A debut on Sunday after going 5-0 with eight saves and a 2.08 ERA in 43 and a third innings at Low-A Hagerstown.

Wort escaped a ninth inning, bases loaded, two out jam by forcing L.V. Ware to fly out.

Wort returned for the 10th and allowed Luis Sumoza's triple. He struck out Braeden Schlehuber and Mycal Jones and earned the victory despite issuing three walks.

One of his walks, however, was intentional.

"That's pretty unbelievable," Cathcart said. "We put him in a tough situation and he trusted his stuff. He didn't have great command, but it was just a great job."

Staff writer Robert Daski can be reached at 703-530-3913.