Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  5 Responses »
Jun 212012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 6-5
(11 inn.)		 vs. Pawtucket,
7:00 p.m.		 Lannan (5-6, 4.91) vs.
Buckner (1-1, 10.54)
Harrisburg Won, 7-3 @ Portland,
6:00 p.m.		 Gilliam (1-6, 5.12) vs.
Martin (3-4, 4.80)
Potomac ALL STAR
BREAK		 vs. Winston-Salem,
7:05 p.m.		 Ray (3-3, 4.89) vs.
McCray (2-0, 2.91)
Hagerstown ALL-STAR
BREAK		 vs. Lakewood,
7:00 p.m.		 Turnbull (2-3, 4.47) vs.
Manzanillo (0-5, 5.84)
Auburn Lost, 9-3 vs. Batavia,
7:05 p.m.		 Pedro Encarnacion
(1st SS-A start of ’12)
vs. Bibona (0-0, -.–)
GCL Nationals Postponed vs. GCL Cardinals,
11:00 a.m. (DH)		 TBD and TBD vs.
TBD and TBD
DSL Nationals Won, 4-2 vs. DSL Mets1,
10:30 a.m.		 Suero (3-0, 2.65) vs.
Rosario (0-2, 4.15

Syracuse 6 Pawtucket 5 (11 inn.)
• Atkins 6IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 3K
• Pena (W, 2-3) 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Hill 2-5, 2R, HR, RBI
• Hoffpauir 2-4, R, BB, RBI
• Negrych 2-4, R, BB

With a pair of two-run rallies in the 8th and 9th innings, Syracuse rallied from deficits of 4-1 and 5-3 to send this to extra innings. In the 11th, the 7-8-9 batters each singled in succession to give the Chiefs a 6-5 walkoff win, their third straight over the first-place Pawtucket PawSox. The rally made a winner of Hassan Pena, who pitched the 10th and 11th innings with just a walk allowed while striking out four. Mitch Atkins got the start and allowed four runs on eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Harrisburg 7 Portland 3
• Pucetas (W, 5-2) 6⅓ IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 5K, 2HR
• Zinicola 1⅔ IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Kobernus 3-5, R, 2B, SB
• Valdez 3-5, 2R, 2B, RBI
• Bloxom 2-4, R, BB, 3RBI

After 18 consecutive scoreless innings, the Senators broke the filibuster with seven runs in the first three innings en route to a 7-3 win over the Sea Dogs. Six of the nine batters got multiple hits, with Jeff Kobernus, Jesus Valdez, and Jimmy Van Ostrand each getting three as Harrisburg pounded out 16 total for the night. Kevin Pucetas improved to 5-2 with six and a 1/3rd innings pitched and three runs allowed, though two came via solo HRs. Zech Zinicola and Hector Nelo combined for two and 2/3rds scoreless relief.

Potomac — ALL-STAR BREAK
Potomac opens the second half at home with three against the Winston-Salem Dash, the Carolina League South Division first-half champs. With the promotions of Zach Walters and Justin Bloxom, Jason Martinson and Stephen King will reportedly join the infield rotation at SS and 1B, respectively.

Hagerstown — ALL-STAR BREAK
After falling 3½ games short in the first half, the reset button is hit and the Hagerstown Suns start the second half with a four-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws. Bryce Ortega is expected to replace Martinson in the lineup.

Batavia 9 Auburn 3
• Monar (L, 0-1) 3IP, 2H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 4K
• Pleffner 2-3, BB, RBI
• Manuel 2-3
• Renda 1-2, R, 2BB, E, CS

A pair of three-run innings plus a picket fence in the middle third of the game proved too much for Auburn to overcome as Batavia cruised to a 9-3 win. Blake Monar took the loss with three runs given up on two hits and three walks over three innings. Every Doubleday reliever was scored upon as the Muckdogs racked up 12 hits total. Shawn Pleffner and Craig Manuel each went 2-for-3 to pace the offense, while rehabbing Destin Hood went 1-for-3 with a run scored and one putout on defense.

GCL Nationals — PPD
Not much mystery as to when yesterday’s game will be made up as the two teams face off again today with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. in Viera.

DSL Nationals 4 DSL Mets1 2
• Silvestre 5IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 5K, WP
• Dilone (W, 2-0) 2IP, H, 0R, 3BB, K, WP
• K. Rodriguez (SV, 4) 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K
• Abreu 2-5, 2R, 2B, SB
• Echenique 2-4, 2B, RBI, OF assist at 1B

Yermin Mercedes’s two-run RBI single in the 8th proved to be the game-winner as the DSL Nationals doubled up the DSL Mets1, 4-2. Angelo Dilone got the win in relief of starter Hector Silvestre, who gave up both D-Mets1 runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. Kelvin Rodriguez tossed two scoreless frames for his fourth save. Ozzie Abreu and 17-y.o. Armando Echenique both singled and doubled to pace the nine-hit attack.

Wednesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  20 Responses »
Jun 202012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 4-3 vs. Pawtucket,
7:00 p.m.		 Atkins (5-5, 4.31)
vs. Germano (8-3, 2.49)
Harrisburg Lost, 14-0 @ Portland,
7:00 p.m.		 Pucetas (4-2, 1.63) vs.
Britton (1-0, 1.10)
Potomac ALL STAR BREAK ALL STAR BREAK N/A
Hagerstown ALL-STAR BREAK ALL-STAR BREAK N/A
Auburn Won, 8-7 @ Batavia,
7:05 p.m.		 Monar (0-0, 0.00) vs.
Cuda (0-0, 0.00)
GCL Nationals Won, 9-8 @ GCL Cardinals,
12:00 p.m.		 TBD vs. TBD
DSL Nationals Won, 14-5 @ DSL Mets1,
10:30 a.m.		 Silvestre (1-0, 2.81) vs.
Almeida (0-1, 11.25)

Syracuse 4 Pawtucket 3
• Duke (W, 8-3) 6IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 0K, 2HR
• H. Rodriguez (H, 1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K, 0WP, 0HBP
• Pena (SV, 3) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Brown 3-4, 2R, 2B
• Komatsu 2-4

Zach Duke danced with the devil in the pale moonlight danger in each of the first four innings, walking four in the first two innings and stranding eight in the first four, but left the game with a slim 4-3 lead. Despite an appearance by rehabbing Henry Rodriguez, the Syracuse ‘pen got the “W” for Duke with three scoreless innings of relief. Corey Brown and Erik Komatsu combined to go 5-for-8 while rehabbing Chris Marrero delivered an RBI single in four at-bats. FA catcher Koyie Hill was assigned to Syracuse. Jeremy Mayo is a good bet to be transferred in the next couple of days.

Portland 14 Harrisburg 0
• Rosenbaum (L, 7-3) 3+ IP, 7H, 9R, 7ER, 4BB, 3K, HR(GS)
• Rahl 2-2, 2B
• Walters 1-3, BB, E

A grand slam chased Danny Rosenbaum from the game in the 4th as part of a nine-run inning as Portland pounded Harrisburg, 14-0. Rosenbaum was charged with nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits and four walks over three-plus innings. In his last six starts, he’s gone 2-2 but with an ERA of 5.94 and a WHIP of 1.74 (contrasted to 5-1, 0.86, 0.73 in his first eight starts). Chris Rahl singled and doubled to lead the offense. Zach Walters and Justin Bloxom both made their AA debuts, with Walters going 1-for-3 with a walk and Bloxom going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

Potomac — ALL-STAR BREAK
David Freitas doubled, walked, scored a run, and drove a run but failed to stop any of the five stolen base attempts against him in the Carolina League’s 9-1 win over the California League last night in Winston-Salem. Rob Wort also appeared, giving up a hit but striking out speedster Billy Hamilton (80SBs in 66G) to end the game.

Hagerstown — ALL-STAR BREAK
The Sally League Northern Division beat the Southern, 3-2 last night in Charleston. Matt Skole went 0-for-3 coming off the bench and made an error while playing 3B in the 9th. Caleb Ramsey relieved the starting CF and went 1-for-2 with a run scored. Aaron Barrett got the save, but gave up both Sally South runs (one earned) on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Auburn 8 Batavia 7
• Baez 4IP, 9H, 5R, 5ER, BB, 2K, HR
• Henke (W, 1-0) 2⅓ IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Mirowski (SV, 1) 1IP, H, 0R, BB, K
• B. Miller 1-2, 3R, HR, 2BB, 3RBI
• Montilla 2-4, R, 2B, RBI
• S. Perez 2-4, R, 2B

In a back-and-forth contest, Auburn won the battle of attrition with Batavia on a sacrifice fly, 8-7. The Muckdogs scored in each of the first four innings and outhit the Doubledays 15-9, but committed three errors and hit into three double plays. Starter Gregory Baez was lit up for five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out two. Travis Henke got the win in relief with two and a 1/3rd scoreless innings while Richie Mirowski got the save despite letting two baserunners on in the 9th. Angel Montilla, Steven Perez, and Spencer Kieboom each went 2-for-4 while Brandon Miller drove in three with a first-inning HR.
RHP Pedro Encarnacion was transferred from Hagerstown to Auburn.

GCL Nationals 9 GCL Marlins 8
• Kimball 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Marcelino 4IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K
• Santana (BS, 1; W, 1-0) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K, HBP, 3-3 IR-S
• Difo 2-4, 3R, 3B, 2RBI
• Mesa 1-2, 3R, 2B, BB, HBP, RBI
• McQuillan 3-4, BB, 2RBI

After blowing an 8-5 lead in the top of the 9th, the G-Marlins couldn’t stand the prosperity and gave it right back for a 9-8 walkoff win by the G-Nats. A walk, a hit batsmen, balk, and a throwing error turned the trick. Rehabbing Cole Kimball got the “start” and tossed a scoreless inning, followed by Anthony Marcelino who was knocked around for four runs on seven hits and and two walks while striking out four. Andy Santana got the blown-save-win by giving up a bases-clearing double to the first batter he faced before retiring three of the next four batters. 33rd-rounder Mike McQuillan led the eight-hit attack with three singles and a walk while driving in two.

DSL Nationals 14 DSL Mets1 5
• P. Valdez 5IP, 6H, 5R, 1ER, 3BB, 4K, 0HR
• Aquino (W, 2-0) 4IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Aguero 3-5, R, 2RBI
• Read 2-4, 3R, 2HR, BB, 4RBI
• Bautista 2-2, 3R, 2BB, SB

The D-Nats scored 14 unanswered runs in a 14-5 decision over the D-Mets1 squad. 18-y.o. Raudy Read continues to flash serious power, smacking HRs #4 and #5 while driving in four to push his slugging percentage to .517 (lg. avg. is .341). Philips Valdez got the no-decision but went five innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out four. 17-y.o. Jonathan Aquino got the win with four scoreless innings of relief, with just two hits allowed and four set down by way of the K.

Tuesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  5 Responses »
Jun 192012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 11-7 vs. Pawtucket,
7:00 p.m.		 Duke (7-3, 3.77) vs.
Mathis (5-3, 4.10)
Harrisburg OFF DAY @ Portland,
7:00 p.m.		 TBD vs.
Hernandez (3-6, 2.89)
Potomac ALL STAR BREAK ALL STAR BREAK N/A
Hagerstown ALL-STAR BREAK ALL-STAR BREAK N/A
Auburn Won, 6-5 vs. Batavia,
7:05 p.m.		 Baez (0-0, 0.00) vs.
Melling (0-0, 0.00)
GCL Nationals Won, 6-1 vs. GCL Marlins,
12:00 p.m.		 TBD vs. TBD
DSL Nationals Lost, 6-4 vs. DSL Mets1,
10:30 a.m.		 Moscat (0-1, 6.75) vs.
Reyes (0-0, 0.00)

Syracuse 11 Pawtucket 7
• Maya (ND) 6+IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, BB, 3K, 2HR
• Severino (BS, 2; W, 2-0) 1IP, 1H, R, ER, BB, K, HR, 2-2 IR-S
• Garcia (SV, 1) ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 2-0 IR-S
• Carroll 3-4, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Paul 3-4, 3R, HR, BB, 3RBI
• Rivero 2-5, 2R, 2B, 2RBI

After blowing a 4-1 lead, the Chiefs rallied for five in the 7th and held on in the 9th to take down the first-place Pawtucket PawSox, 11-7. Atahualpa Severino got the dreaded blown-save-win, coughing up a three-run HR to the first batter he faced. Yunesky Maya lost the quality start on the gopherball, giving up five runs on six hits and walk, though two of the six were HRs. Christian Garcia struck out the only batter he faced in the 9th for his first career AAA save. Brett Carroll and Xavier Paul both went 3-for-4, and combined for five runs scored and four RBI while Syracuse made hay when it mattered with an 8-for-17 mark with RISP.

Harrisburg — OFF DAY
After a long bus ride from central PA to southern ME, the Senators make their sole road trip to New England to play the Portland Sea Dogs for the next three games, then the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for four over the weekend.

Potomac — ALL-STAR BREAK
C David Freitas and RHRP Rob Wort are the sole two representatives for Potomac at the annual Carolina-California League All-Star Game to be held tonight in Winston-Salem.

Hagerstown — ALL-STAR BREAK
C Adrian Nieto, 3B Matt Skole, OF Caleb Ramsey, and RHP Aaron Barrett are the four representatives for the Suns at the Sally League All-Star game to be held tonight in Charleston, SC. Skole was a finalist in the HR derby, with the semifinals held yesterday on the deck of the U.S.S. Yorktown.

Auburn 6 Batavia 5
• Jordan 1⅓ IP, 3H, 3R, 1ER, BB, 2K
• Medina 5⅓ 2H, 0R, BB, 7K, 2-0 IR-S
• S. Perez 2-4, R, 3B, HR, 4RBI, E
• Ramos 2-4, R

Stephen Perez drove in the last four Doubleday runs, including two on a triple in the 9th to break a 4-4 tie as Auburn edged Batavia, 6-5. Perez also homered while going 2-for-4 on the night but committed one of the three Doubleday errors. Starter Taylor Jordan lasted just an inning and a third (no mention of injury in any of the local coverage, so perhaps he was on a pitch count) after giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Silvio Medina tossed five and a 1/3rd innings in relief (another indication that Jordan’s outing was limited) with just a walk and two hits allowed. Seven of the nine Auburn batters got a hit, with Wander Ramos joining Perez as the second multihit Doubleday.

GCL Nationals 6 GCL Marlins 1
• Mieses 4IP, 4H, R, ER, 0BB, K
• Carr 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• E. Perez 3-5, RBI, 2SB
• Selsor 1-3, 2R, BB
• Difo 0-2, 2R, 3BB, SB

The G-Nats opened up the 2012 campaign with a 6-1 victory over the G-Marlins. Adalberto Mieses got the start and gave up a run on four hits and no walks. Adam Carr got the win in his first regular-season appearance since having shoulder surgery, tossing two scoreless frames. Josh Smoker made his first appearance since April with a pair of goose eggs following Carr. Rehabbing Eury Perez went 3-for-5 with two stolen bases, while OF/P Casey Selsor went 1-for-3 with two runs scored as the DH.

DSL Cubs2 6 DSL Nationals 4
• Valerio (ND) 5IP, 4H, R, ER, 0BB, 3K
• E. Gomez (BS, 1; L, 1-1) 2IP, 6H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, K
• Atencio 3-4, R, RBI
• Marmolejos-Diaz 2-5, R, 2B, 3B, RBI
• Bautista 2-4, R, 2SB

For the second straight outing, 17-y.o. Maximo Valerio gave up one run over five, but the ‘pen couldn’t hold the 2-1 lead as the D-Nats fell to the D-Cubs2, 6-4. 20-y.o. zurdo Elisaul Gomez took the loss, giving up the tying run in his first inning of work, and three more in his second inning on a total of six hits and two walks. Miguel Atencio led the hit column with three singles, while “Orange” Marmolejos-Diaz doubled and tripled and Rafael Bautista singled twice and stole two bases.

Meyer, Karns Named Pitcher of the Week

 News and Notes  1 Response »
Jun 182012
 

A pair of Nationals pitchers were named Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 11-17, as Alex Meyer won it for the South Atlantic League and Nathan Karns garnered the honor for the Carolina League.

Alex MeyerMeyer threw a rain-shortened six-inning shutout last Tuesday, giving up just two hits and a walk while setting down five on strikes. Yesterday, he whiffed a career-high nine batters but got the no-decision in the Suns’ 5-3 loss to the Power. The 22-year-old is 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA over 14 starts thus for Hagerstown.

Karns pitched just once during the timeframe, throwing six and 2/3rds scoreless innings last Friday in a 3-0 Potomac shutout of Myrtle Beach. He allowed just four hits and walked two while striking out 10, the second time he’s done that this season (May 26). The 24-year-old is 4-2 with two saves and a 2.51 ERA over 14 appearances (eight starts) for Hagerstown and Potomac.

Shuffling The Deck: Transactions At The Break

 Transactions  16 Responses »
Jun 182012
 

A lot of transactions in this morning’s post, and more to come. So at the suggestion of a Twitter follower, let’s see if I can outline how the Nationals are shuffling the deck at the minors All-Star break…

SYRACUSE
• RHP Ryan Perry reassigned to Harrisburg — Per Geoff Morrow, he’s expected to transition to the rotation.
• RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx transferred to/from Harrisburg — Basically, a loan to help the Senators bullpen after a heavy workload the past few days.
• C James Skelton placed on 7-Day DL

HARRISBURG
• SS Chris McConnell — Morrow says he’s been told that this will be the sole organizational cut.
• C James Skelton transferred to Syracuse — until Sandy Leon is reactivated, expect this kind of shuffling to continue.
• IF Stephen King reassigned to Potomac — A move that seems reminiscent of the 2010 midyear demotions of Bill Rhinehart and Sean Rooney.
• LHP Mike Ballard placed on the DL — Elbow discomfort, per Morrow story linked above.

POTOMAC
• 3B/SS Zach Walters promoted to Harrisburg — Yes, he’s struggled with the errors, but has gotten red-hot with the bat over the last 3-4 weeks.
• 1B Justin Bloxom promoted to Harrisburg — Take away April, he’s hitting .295 with 11HR and 27RBI, a slower more steady improvement than Walters.

HAGERSTOWN
• IF Bryce Ortega reassigned from the GCL Nationals — Presuming he was sent to XST due to playing-time issues, it looks like a spot has opened up (*ahem*).
• SS Jason Martinson promoted to Potomac — Alluded by himself, confirmed by Byron Kerr

AUBURN
• RHP Taylor Jordan reassigned from the GCL Nationals — Coming back from a UCL replacement procedure in May 2011.

GCL
• RHP Dixon Anderson reassigned from Auburn — A 2011 draftee that reportedly had injury concerns and yet to make a regular-season pro appearance.
• OF Eury Perez assigned to GCL — On the DL in Harrisburg, a procedural move. Suffering from a strained oblique.
• LHP Josh Smoker assigned to GCL — On the DL in Potomac, a procedural move. Exact nature of injury/issue unknown.
• RHP Adam Carr assigned to GCL — On the DL in Syracuse, a procedural move. Recovering from shoulder surgery last summer.

###

As always, if/when more news trickles in, I’ll update this space for the next 24 hours or so.

UPDATE #1: SS Jason Martinson has been promoted from Hagerstown to Potomac.

UPDATE #2: C James Skelton placed on DL (corrected to/from transfer points)

Monday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  8 Responses »
Jun 182012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-2 vs. Pawtucket,
7:00 p.m.		 Maya (4-5, 3.38) vs.
Cook (3-0, 1.89)
Harrisburg Lost, 4-0 OFF DAY N/A
Potomac Lost, 5-0 ALL STAR BREAK N/A
Hagerstown Lost, 5-3 ALL-STAR BREAK N/A
Auburn N/A @ Batavia,
7:05 p.m.		 Jordan (0-0, 0.00) vs.
Freeman (0-0, 0.00)
GCL Nationals N/A @GCL Marlins,
12:00 p.m.		 TBD vs. TBD
DSL Nationals OFF DAY vs. DSL Cubs2,
10:30 a.m.		 Valerio (0-2, 7.04) vs.
Araujo (1-0, 1.80)

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 6 Syracuse 2
• Roark (L, 3-9) 6IP, 10H, 6R, 6ER, 0BB, 8K, HR
• Arnesen 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 0K
• Brown 2-4, 2-3B
• Rivero 2-4, 2B, RBI

The Yankees got to Tanner Roark early with three runs in the 1st and cruised to a 6-2 win to take three of four at “home.” Roark allowed all six runs on 10 hits, including a solo HR in the 5th to suffer his 9th loss. Corey Brown and Carlos Rivero went 4-for-8 combined, with a double and two triples, but the Chiefs were otherwise held in check with six hits total. RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx was essentially loaned to Harrisburg, transferred to and from the Senators before and after the game. C James Skelton and RHP Ryan Perry were transferred to Harrisburg.

Trenton 4 Harrisburg 0
• Tatusko (L, 1-3) 5IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 2K
• Bibens-Dirkx 3IP, 2H, R, ER, BB, 4K
• Rahl 1-2, BB
• Pahuta 1-3

Four Thunder hurlers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Senators lost, 4-0. Ryan Tatusko took the loss, giving up three runs on five his and two walks while striking out two. Chris Rahl was the sole Harrisburg player to reach base twice. Roster Moves: SS Chris McConnell was released following the game while IF Stephen King was demoted to Potomac. OF Destin Hood was transferred to Auburn for rehab purposes. LHP Mike Ballard was placed on the DL with elbow discomfort.

Myrtle Beach 5 Potomac 0
• Olbrychowski (L, 2-6) 5IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 3BB, 5K, HR
• Demmin 2IP, 3H, 0R, BB, 3K
• Walters 2-4
• Sanchez 2-4, 2CS

Potomac was shut out for the 10th time this season by Myrtle Beach by a 5-0 count. Adam Olbrcyhowski suffered the loss with the first three runs given up (two earned) on four hits and three walks over five innings. Zach Walters and Adrian Sanchez both went 2-for-4 to account for half of the P-Nats eight hits. If you guessed that the moves in Harrisburg meant promotions from Potomac, say goodbye to SS Zach Walters and 1B Justin Bloxom. If you’re hoping for news about which Suns are on the way to replace them, you’re going to have to champ at the bit because both Potomac and Hagerstown are coming back from half-ending road trips that had them rolling into town as late as 6:00 a.m. this morning

West Virginia 5 Hagerstown 3
• Meyers 5IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, 9K
• Encarnacion (L, 0-1) 2⅓ IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 0K
• Goodwin 3-4, R, HR, BB, 2RBI, CS
• Dykstra 1-3, R, 2B, BB, 2SB (19,20), E(5)

Alex Meyer struck out a career-high nine batters, but left the game down 3-0 after five innings. Brian Goodwin’s two-run shot tied in the top of the 7th, but the ‘pen faltered for a 5-3 loss to finish the half. The Suns offense struggled in the clutch, going 0-for-8 with RISP and stranding eight baserunners. Goodwin led the attack with a 3-for-4 afternoon. Matt Skole and Jason Martinson are two obvious candidates to replace Walters and Bloxom, but as Brian Oliver noted this a.m. during a Twitter exchange, folks need to consider how the Suns roster will be restocked. As seen with King, demotions are possible – as are backfills via several players for which a release or an assignment is unknown

Auburn Doubledays — OPENING DAY
The 2011 N.Y-Penn League finalists open the 2012 campaign with a home-and-home series against the Batavia Muckdogs.

GCL Nationals — OPENING DAY
With the departure of the GCL Mets, it’s Marlins, Cardinals, Astros, home and away for 60 games this season (20 games vs. each), starting with the Marlins.

DSL Nationals — OFF DAY
The second-place D-Nats host the D-Cubs2 and D-Giants today and Saturday while playing home-and-home’s against the Mets1, and first-place Yankees1 from Tuesday through Friday.

Last Night In Charleston

 Road Trip  3 Responses »
Jun 172012
 

After stranding nine baserunners in nine innings, the Suns couldn’t turn the trick one more time — or a double play — and lost to the Power in the bottom of the 10th on an error, 2-1.

There were just four clean innings out of the 20 between the two teams, as both squads had something brewing in nearly every inning.

Hagerstown got on the board first with Matt Skole’s league-leading 62nd walk. Steve Souza followed with a line-drive to left. But as you might have guessed with all those LOBs, the run came around on the more mundane as West Virginia’s Zach Von Rosenberg plunked Brett Newsome and walked Cole Leonida with two outs.

Christian Meza returned the favor by hitting Power DH Dan Gamache to lead off the second before giving up back-to-back singles to give up the equalizer. Skole turned a tag-the-bag, toss-across-the-diamond DP, and after walking the #9 batter and giving up an IF single the leadoff slot, Meza struck out the #2 man to end the inning.

The Suns got leadoff hits in the 3rd, 6th, and 8th innings but couldn’t push across the second. They even loaded the bases in the 9th with one out, but Billy Burns struck out, giving Toastman Rod Blackstone a chance to make yet another, um, crumby joke.

The Power also had chances, getting the lead man on five times before they finally broke through in the 10th, as a single, walk, sacrifice, and an intentional walk set up Jose Osuna. In the 8th, Osuna hit into a 4-6-3 twin-killing, and for just a moment, it looked Greg Holt would escape the jam with a tapper to short that Jason Martinson retrieved and fired over to Cutter Dykstra, who sailed it into the stands on what would have been a close play for the loss.

Christian Meza started but got the no-decision, giving up a run on five hits with three walks, a hit batsmen, and two strikeouts. Lost in the boxscore is Colin Bates’ three scoreless frames with just one hit and one walk allowed to go with four strikeouts. Greg Holt took the loss with a run on two hits and two walks (one intentional) over one and 2/3rds.

With a Greensboro win roughly a half hour earlier, Harrisburg was eliminated from the playoff hunt in the Sally League’s North Division. The two teams meet again this afternoon to finish the four-game series and the first half, with Alex Meyer (6-3, 3.31) taking the hill vs. Nick Kingham (1-4, 5.57).

Sunday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  2 Responses »
Jun 172012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 4-2
(10 inn.)		 “@” Scranton/WB,
2:00 p.m.		 Roark (3-8, 5.40) vs.
Ortiz (5-3, 3.21)
Harrisburg Lost, 19-9 vs. Trenton,
2:00 p.m.		 Tatusko (1-1, 5.32) vs.
Pope (3-5, 5.45)
Potomac Lost, 2-1 @ Myrtle Beach,
6:05 p.m.		 Olbrychowski (2-5, 5.66) vs.
TBD
Hagerstown Lost, 2-1
(10 inn.)		 @ West Virginia,
2:05 p.m.		 Meyer (6-3, 3.31) vs.
Dodson (1-5, 6.12)
DSL Nationals Won, 4-3 OFF DAY N/A

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 4 Syracuse 2 (10 inn.)
• Lannan 7IP, 6H, 2R, ER, 3BB, 3K
• Pena (L, 1-3) ⅔ IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 0K, HR
• Teahen 2-4, 2R, 2B, 3B, BB
• Howell 2-4

Russell Branyan’s two-out, two-run HR ended this one in extras for a 4-2 walkoff win at Alliance Bank Park. John Lannan got the no-decision after giving up two (one earned) on six hits and three walks. Mark Teahen led the offense with a double, triple, both runs scored, and a walk.

Trenton 19 Harrisburg 9
• Demny (L, 4-4) 3IP, 10H, 11R, 11ER, 2BB, 2K, 2HR
• Frias 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, K
• McCoy 1IP, 6H, 6R, 3ER, 0BB, 2K, 2HR
• Kobernus 3-3, 2R, 2BB, SB
• Van Ostrand 3-4, 2R, 2B, HR, 4RBI
• Rahl 2-5, R, RBI

Paul Demny got hammered for 11 runs in just three innings as the Trenton Thunder won this one handily, 19-9. Jeff Kobernus reached base five times and stole a base to pace the offense. Jose Lozada made his season debut in mopup duty giving up the last run on three hits in the 9th.

Myrtle Beach 2 Potomac 1
• Holder (L, 3-2) 7&8532; IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, BB, K
• Testa ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Walters 2-4, R, HR, RBI
• Ramirez 2-3

Potomac ran themselves out of the 9th inning, as J.P. Ramirez was gunned down on a would-be sac fly to left and Kevin Keyes trying to score from second on an infield hit by Michael Taylor, ending the game on a 2-1 score in favor of Myrtle Beach. Zach Walters accounted for the sole P-Nats run with his 5th HR. Trevor Holder was the tough-luck LP, allowing both Pelican runs (one unearned) on seven hits and a walk. The Carolina League has added Rob Wort to the All-Star game roster, ruining his three-day break honoring him for a stellar first half with a 1.10ERA and five saves over 21 appearances.

West Virginia 2 Hagerstown 1
• Meza 5IP, 5H, R, ER, 3BB, 2K
• Bates 3IP, H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Holt 1⅔ IP, 2H, R, ER, 2BB, 0K
• Skole 2-4, R, BB, 2B
• Leonida 0-2, 2BB, RBI

The Power made one less mistake than the Suns Last Night In Charleston.

DSL Nationals 4 DSL Cubs2 3
• J. Rodriguez 4⅔ IP, H, R, ER, 7BB, K, 0HR
• Dilone (W, 1-0) 1⅓ IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• De Los Santos 3-4, BB
• Read 2-5, R, 2B, HR, RBI

Raudy Read’s third HR proved to be the winning margin, as the D-Nats led this one 3-0 early and held on for a 4-3 win over the DSL Cubs2 squad. Angelo Dilone got the win in relief of Jefry Rodriguez, who somehow managed to allow just a single run despite walking seven over four and 2/3rds. 17-y.o. Juan De Los Santos led the hit column with a 3-for-4 game.

GCL Roster Taking Shape

 Uncategorized  7 Responses »
Jun 162012
 

Nothing, of course, is official but in the course of doing my sweep of the transactions, I noticed that the Nationals’ GCL roster appears to be in place.

I’m not privy to who’s been put on the DL or waivers, but it’s probably fair to deduce that any name you’re looking for that’s not here, and wasn’t drafted this past June, has probably been sent packing. Please note the qualifiers in the text above, and without further ado…

Bold = Watchlist Player Italics = DSL Graduate
PITCHERS
Joel Barrientos
Michael Boyden 31st
Kevin Dicharry 24th’
Inocencio Heredia
Leonard Hollins 29th
Will Hudgins 22nd
Anthony Marcelino
Gilberto Mendez
Adalberto Mieses
Mike Mudron 32nd
Ronald Pena 16th
Ivan Pineyro
Andy Santana
Blake Schwartz 17th
Casey Selsor 23rd
Daury Vasquez

CATCHERS
Austin Chubb 21st
Adderling Ruiz
Pedro Severino

INFIELDERS
Hunter Bailey 28th
James Brooks 20th
Wilmer Difo
Diomedes Eusebio
Matt Foat NDFA
Bryan Lippincott 19th
Mike McQuillan 33rd
Jean Carlos Valdez

OUTFIELDERS
Hayden Jennings 6th HS
Narciso Mesa
Tony Nix
Will Piwnica-Worms NDFA
Wilman Rodriguez

If you’re following my “code,” that’s just two (2) players from last year’s draft that are back — Tony Nix, who had his contract voided but re-signed in April, and Deion Williams, the only HS pick from the Nats’ 2011 draft.

Saturday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes  2 Responses »
Jun 162012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 5-4 “@” Scranton/WB,
7:00 p.m.		 Lannan (5-6, 5.27) vs.
Mitchell (5-3, 5.43)
Harrisburg Won, 4-3
(10 inn.)		 vs. Trenton,
7:00 p.m.		 Demny (4-3, 4.82) vs.
Marshall (6-3, 2.64)
Potomac Won, 3-0 @ Myrtle Beach,
7:05 p.m.		 Holder (3-1, 4.10) vs.
Font (1-4, 4.97)
Hagerstown Won, 5-2
(10 inn.)		 @ West Virginia,
7:05 p.m.		 TBD vs.
Von Rosenberg (0-1, 6.75)
DSL Nationals Won, 9-4 @ DSL Cubs2,
10:30 a.m.		 J. Rodriguez (0-0, 1.80) vs.
Pieters (1-1, 7.36)

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5 Syracuse 4
• Atkins (ND) 6⅓ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 5K
• Perry (BS, 2; L, 1-1) 0IP, 1H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 0K, 0HR, 2WP, 2-2 IR-S
• Severino 1⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 3K, 1-1 IR-S
• Paul 3-5, R, 2B, HR, 4RBI
• Carroll 2-5, R

A four-run bullpen collapse in the 7th was the difference as the Chiefs fell, 5-4. Ryan Perry came in with two runners on with one out and sandwiched two wild pitches around a two-run triple to turn a 4-1 lead into a 4-4 tie, then walked what proved to be the game-winning run. The collapse ruined a 3-for-5 night for Xavier Paul, who drove in all four Syracuse runs, three by a HR in the 5th off Yankee prospect Dellin Betances. Roster moves: C James Skelton was assigned to Hagerstown, with C Jeremy Mayo taking his place from Hagerstown.

Harrisburg 4 Trenton 3 (10 inn.)
• Gilliam 5IP, 4H, R, ER, BB, 4K
• Davis (W, 5-2) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Marrero 2-5, R, HR, 2B, RBI
• Van Ostrand 3-4, RBI
• Lozada 2-3, BB, RBI

Chris Marrero doubled to lead off the 10th and four batters later Chris McConnell singled in pinch-runner Stephen King with one out to give Harrisburg a 4-3 walkoff win over Trenton. Marrero also homered while going 2-for-5 on the night. Erik Davis got the win as the fifth reliever to follow starter Rob Gilliam, who allowed just one run over the first five innings.

Potomac 3 Myrtle Beach 0
• Karns (W, 1-2) 6⅔ IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 10K
• Wort (SV, 5) 2IP, H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Sanchez 3-3, RBI
• Keyes 1-3, 2B

Nathan Karns struck out 10 over six and 2/3rds to earn his first Carolina League win, a 3-0 combined shutout of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Jimmy Barthmaier stranded two while balking one and striking out one to help Karns out of the 7th, while Rob Wort went the rest of the way with two scoreless frames to earn his 5th save. Adrian Sanchez led the offense with a 3-for-3 night, driving in the third Potomac run in the 8th.

Hagerstown 5 West Virginia 2 (10 inn.)
• Hansen 7IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 3K
• McKenzie (W, 2-2) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Eusebio (SV, 2) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Newsome 3-5, 2B, 2RBI
• Leonida 2-3, 2B, BB, 2RBI
• Martinson 2-5, R, 2SB (20, 21)

After rallying to tie with two in the top of the 7th, the Suns took the lead (and the game) with a three-run 10th for a 5-2 win over the West Virginia Power. The win combined with a Greensboro loss, keeps Hagerstown mathematically alive in the playoff chase, 1½ games behind with two to play. Bobby Hansen Jr. tossed seven strong innings, giving up two runs on six hits, but got the no-decision. The win went to Chris McKenzie for two perfect frames of relief, while Wilson Eusebio pitched a 1-2-3 tenth for save #2. Roster move: OF Angel Montilla was assigned to Auburn.

DSL Nationals 9 DSL Phillies 4
• Suero (W, 3-0) 6IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, BB, 5K
• Gomez (SV, 1) 3IP, H, 0R, BB, K
• Bautista 2-4, 2R, 2B, SB
• De Los Santos 1-3, 2R, BB, 2RBI, 2SB
• Novas 1-3, 2B, 2BB, 2RBI, SB

The D-Nats scored in four consecutive innings to turn a 2-2 tie into a 9-4 win. Wander Suero got the benefit of the offense for his third win, despite giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. The D-Nats swiped six bases to offset a pedestrian 4-for-17 mark with RISP, with 19-y.o. Rafael Bautista going 2-for-4 with a double to lead the eight-hit attack.

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