Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  3 Responses »
May 312012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 2-1 @ Louisville,
7:05 p.m.		 Maya (3-5, 3.36) vs.
Villarreal (2-1, 3.70)
Harrisburg Lost, 3-2;
Won, 5-2		 vs. Portland,
10:30 a.m.		 Demny (4-2, 4.11) vs.
Balcom-Miller (2-4, 5.25)
Potomac Won, 5-3;
Lost, 1-0		 vs. Myrtle Beach,
7:05 p.m.		 Swynenberg (3-3, 4.94) vs.
Hendricks (1-5, 2.67)
Hagerstown Lost, 5-3 vs. Delmarva,
7:05 p.m.		 Karns (2-0, 2.35) vs.
Rodriguez (1-1, 2.43)

Syracuse 2 Louisville 1
• Lannan (W, 4-5) 6IP, 5H, R, ER, 3BB, 3K, 0HR
• Pena (H, 2) 2IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Lehman (SV, 1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K
• Negrych 2-4, 2B
• Hoffpauir 2-4, RBI
• Rivero 1-2, RBI

Carlos Rivero’s pinch-hit RBI single in the 7th was the difference as Syracuse edged Louisville, 2-1. Starter John Lannan turned in six strong innings, walking three and striking out three but allowing just the one run on five hits, none of which left the park. Jim Negrych and Jarrett Hoffpauir both went 2-for-4 to lead the Chiefs offense, which managed seven hits total. Pat Lehman pitched the ninth to earn his first AAA save.

Portland 3 Harrisburg 2 — GAME ONE
• Ballard (ND) 6IP, 5H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K, HR
• Davis (BS, 2; L, 4-2) 1IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 2K, HR
• Perez 3-3, R, 3SB
• Lozada 1-1, R, 2B, BB, RBI

Portland’s Billy Buckner (no relation) gave up two first-inning runs to Harrisburg, but stifled the Senators for the next six as the Sea Dogs won Game One, 3-2. Starter Mike Ballard was nearly as good, giving up just a run on a third-inning HR but got the no-decision when Erik Davis gave up the tying and go-ahead runs in the 7th. Eury Perez singled and stole second three times while Jose Lozada doubled, but the rest of the lineup went 0-for-18.

Harrisburg 5 Portland 2 — GAME TWO
• Tatusko 3IP, 2H, R, ER, 3BB, 3K
• Nelo (SV, 5) 1IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Van Ostrand 2-3, R, RBI
• McConnell 1-3, R, 3B, 3RBI
• Perez 1-3, RBI, SB (17)

A five-run 4th broke up the string of nine scoreless innings as the Senators took the nightcap, 5-2. Chris McConnell struck the decisive blow with a three-run triple while newly signed Jimmy Van Ostrand singled twice to lead the seven-hit attack. Christian Garcia got the win in relief of spot starter Ryan Tatusko, who gave up a run over three innings. Hector Nelo got the save while (as usual) working around multiple baserunners. Prior to the doubleheader, RHP Rafael Martin was activated from the Temporary Inactive list and assigned from Syracuse to Harrisburg while 2B Jeff Kobernus was placed on the 7-Day DL, retroactive to May 24.

Potomac 5 Myrtle Beach 3 (Comp. of Susp. Gm.)
• Grace 4⅔ IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 3K
• Applebee 3⅓ IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, K, HR
• Selik (SV, 7)1IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, BB, K
• Ramirez 1-4, 2RBI
• Freitas 1-4, RBI
• Sanchez 1-3, 2R, 4SB

Myrtle Beach 1 Potomac 0 — GAME TWO
• Holder (L, 2-1) 6IP, 5R, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 3K
• Wort 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Oduber 2-3, 2B
• Morse 2-3, 2B

Potomac finished what it started in Game One, but never got it going in Game Two of the “doubleheader” Last Night In Woodbridge.

Greensboro 5 Hagerstown 3
• Purke (L, 0-1) 5IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 5BB, 1K, HR
• Holt 3IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 0K
• Nieto 2-3, BB
• Goodwin 2-4, R, SB
• Souza 2-4, R

Matt Purke’s pro debut left much to be desired as the southpaw was rung up for five runs on seven hits and five walks in a 5-3 loss to Greensboro. The game, which was conveniently coincidentally was not broadcast by either team on the radio, was reportedly fraught with poor umpiring, according to a dispatch from MASN’s Byron Kerr. Brian Goodwin, who was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, Adrian Nieto, and Steve Souza combined for six of nine Suns hits, but Hagerstown was woeful in the clutch: 2-for-11 with RISP and 10 LOB. To make room for Purke, who was assigned from the Potomac Nationals to Hagerstown, RHP Brian Dupra was placed on the 7-Day DL; RHPs Travis Henke and Pedro Encarnacion swapped places on the Suns and Doubleday rosters.

Wednesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  24 Responses »
May 302012
 

Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 6-2 @ Louisville,
7:05 p.m.		 Lannan (3-5, 6.12) vs.
Tomko (0-5, 3.18)
Harrisburg Postponed vs. Portland,
6:00 p.m.		 Tatusko (0-1, 9.00) and
Ballard (1-4, 3.31) vs.
Buckner (3-3, 3.28) and
Pimentel (1-1, 4.44)
Potomac Winning, 3-0
(Susp., Top 5th)		 vs. Myrtle Beach,
6:05 p.m.		 Holder (2-0, 6.20) vs.
Tepesch (3-3, 3.88)
Hagerstown Lost, 4-2 @ Greensboro,
10:45 a.m.		 Purke (A- debut) vs.
Conley (5-1, 2.63)

Syracuse 6 Louisville 2
• Duke (W, 6-2) 6IP, 10H, R, ER, 0BB, 3K; 1-1, SAC
• Severino 2IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 2K
• Teahen 2-5, 2R, 2B
• Carroll 2-4, R, 2B, RBI
• Hoffpaiur 2-2, RBI

Syracuse snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over Louisville. Zach Duke won his team-leading 6th game, helped by the defense that turned three DPs as he allowed one run on 10 hits over six innings. The Chiefs made the most of their offensive chances, going 3-for-6 with RISP and executing four sacrifices (two hits, two flyballs) while registering 11 hits. The Twins have offered back Rule 5 pick OF Erik Komatsu, who has been assigned to Syracuse. The move puts the Chiefs roster back to the limit of 25

HARRISBURG — PPD
Rain postponed last night’s contest in Harrisburg and will be made up tonight with a pair of seven-inning games. The Nationals signed Jimmy Van Ostrand from the Sugarland Skeeters of the Atlantic League and assigned him to Harrisburg, putting the Senators roster back to the full 25.

Potomac 3 Myrtle Beach 0 — Suspended, Top 5th, Two Outs
• Grace 4⅔ IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 3K
• Ramirez 1-2, 2RBI
• Freitas 1-2, RBI

Potomac fell one batter short of beating the downpour Last Night In Woodbridge.

Greensboro 4 Hagerstown 2
• Hill (L, 4-4) 7IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• Henke 1IP, 3H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K
• Skole 1-3, BB
• Martinson 1-4, R, HR, 2RBI

Jason Martinson broke up the shutout bid with a two-run HR in the 9th, taking the edge off an abysmal offensive night for Hagerstown, which fell 4-2 to Greensboro. The Suns hitters managed just four hits on the night and drew just one walk as the Grasshopper pitchers were their master, striking them out 14 times. Starter Taylor Hill went a season-high seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks but gave up a two-run HR in the Greensboro’s three-run 5th. Byron Kerr is reporting that Matt Purke will make his regular-season debut this morning in Greensboro. No corresponding move has been announced, but readers of the maroon italics should be well aware that this development does not mean that a promotion for another pitcher is forthcoming.

Corey Brown, Jhonatan Solano Get The Call

 Transactions  7 Responses »
May 282012
 

No, I Said The White PhoneWith OF/PH Chad Tracy being placed on the 15-Day DL with a groin injury, the Washington Nationals have indeed made the move to recall Syracuse OF Corey Brown, as suggested in this morning’s news & notes. Yesterday, Brown was flown from upstate NY to Florida in anticipation of this development, which was also signaled by the activation of OF J.R. Higley from the Potomac DL and the placement of RHP Rafael Martin on the Temporary Inactive List.

Brown is currently riding a five-HRs-in-five-games HR streak and has been red-hot in the month of May, hanging a line of .359/.450/.772 including 9HR and 23 RBI in 24 games. He’s also stolen six bases in nine tries as the Chiefs leadoff batter and has two errors in 55 games on defense. This is his second stint with the parent club, the previous coming last September when he was hurt after just three pinch-hit appearances.

For those wondering why the more experienced Harrisburg OFs Jesus Valdez and Chris Rahl were bypassed, consider that two key Senators starters — Jeff Kobernus and Destin Hood — have been day-to-day with nagging injuries. It’s possible, if not probable, that one of those two will swap places with Higley once Hood is able to return to action, or perhaps even as soon as Martin is eligible to reactivated from the Temporary Inactive List on Wednesday.

Brown, who was acquired along with Rolaids dispenser RHP Henry Rodriguez in the December 2010 trade with Oakland for OF Josh Willingham, is expected to come off the bench. How long his stay in DC will depend on the parent club’s decisions to be made once OF-1B Michael Morse is deemed healthy enough to return to action for Washington. Morse is expected to play with Potomac this week on a rehab assignment and could be activated as soon as Friday, according to Nats Insider Mark Zuckerman.

UPDATE: The Harrisburg Senators have announced that OF Destin Hood has been placed on the 7-Day DL, retroactive to Friday, May 25, with no corresponding move. Both the Syracuse and Harrisburg rosters stand at 24, one short of the full 25. Stay tuned to this space if an additional move is made this afternoon.

UPDATE #2: Multiple online sources are reporting that Jhonatan Solano will be called up with 1B-LF Tyler Moore returning to Syracuse. As noted on Twitter last night, the presence of Solano on the 40-man and three catchers already on the Chiefs roster made this an unsurprising turn of events, not to mention the popular opinion that Moore was gathering dust on the bench as he was given more than two plate appearances just twice in 12 games and 19 overall in four weeks.

Monday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  No Responses »
May 282012
 

Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 9-1 @ Louisville,
4:05 p.m.		 Atkins (4-3, 3.07) vs.
Obispo (0-0, 3.60)
Harrisburg Won, 6-5 vs. Reading,
6:00 p.m.		 Rosenbaum (6-0, 0.99) vs.
Buchanan (1-5, 4.73)
Potomac Lost, 6-1 vs. Myrtle Beach,
6:05 p.m.		 Ray (1-1, 8.15) vs.
Buckel (3-2, 1.33)
Hagerstown Won, 7-6 @ Greensboro,
7:00 p.m.		 Meyer (2-3, 4.36) vs.
Lowell (3-1, 3.83)

Columbus 9 Syracuse 1
• Roark (L, 3-6) 3⅓ IP, 6H, 9R, 9ER, 6BB, 4K, HR
• Lehman 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Teahen 2-4, 2-2B, RBI
• Rivero 1-4, 2B

A five-run 3rd followed by a four-run 4th left little doubt that Columbus would win, 9-1, completing the three-game sweep. Tanner Roark’s scoreless inning streak was stopped at 16 full innings as the Clippers took advantage of the six walks he issued and connected for a three-run shot in the 3rd. The Chiefs managed just six hits, with Mark Teahen doubling twice and driving in the sole Syracuse run. The Chiefs head back out on the road four an eight-game stretch against Louisville and Indianapolis. Roster Moves: OF J.R. Higley was activated from the Potomac disabled list and assigned to Syracuse and got the start in CF (0-for-3), with RHP Rafael Martin assigned to the Temporary Inactive List. Corey Brown has reportedly been flown down to Miami to be activated if the Big Nats need him to replace Chad Tracy, who was hurt on Saturday afternoon. DC backstop Jesus Flores was lifted in the 7th inning last night in Atlanta with a hamstring injury but is not as likely to go on the DL, which means the Chiefs will probably continue to carry three catchers.

Harrisburg 6 Reading 5
• Mandel 6⅓ IP, 10H, 5R, 4ER, 0BB, 7K
• Frias (W, 2-3) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Nelo (SV, 4) 1IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K
• Valdez 3-4, 2R, 2B, 2HR, 3RBI
• Seabury 1-3, R, HR, 3RBI
• OF assists: Perez, HP; Rahl, 2B

Jesus Valdez and Beau Seabury combined for three HRs and six RBI as Harrisburg rallied from a 5-2 deficit for a 6-5 win over Reading. Starter Jeff Mandel was left in for for one batter too many, leaving in the 7th after a three-run triple, the 10th hit he gave up over six and a 1/3rd innings. Pat McCoy was able to strand the runner at third by striking out the first batter he faced and inducing a flyball to end the inning. Marcos Frias and Hector Nelo both flirted with disaster (two hits, a walk) but laid goose eggs for the win and save respectively.

Lynchburg 6 Potomac 1
• Olbrychowski 4IP, 3H, R, ER, 5BB, 5K
• Testa ⅓ IP, 0H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 0K, 2HBP, 2-1 IR-S
• Wort 1⅔ IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 3K, 3-3 IR-S
• Kelso 1-4, RBI
• Sanchez 1-3, R, 2B

The wheels came off in the 7th inning in Lynchburg as three relievers gave up five runs on four hits and two hit batsmen, turning a 1-1 pitcher’s duel into a 6-1 loss for Potomac, its 18th in 24 road games. Bobby Hansen Jr. was officially charged with the loss, but Joe Testa hitting two of three batters faced certainly didn’t help nor did an offensive output of just six hits and one walk. The P-Nats return home for four games against Myrtle Beach before a fourth series against the Hillcats this weekend (as previously reported, this year the Carolina League schedule is unbalanced on a per-half basis, with just six games against Wilmington and Carolina in the first half, 14 against the Pelicans, 12 vs. Lynchburg, and 11 vs. both the Dash and the Keys; only Salem is the “usual” 10 games per half — something that might affect the second-half playoff races, should the P-Nats mount their usual charge).

Hagerstown 7 Lakewood 6
• Dupra (W, 3-4) 5IP, 6H, 5R, 3ER, 0BB, 4K, 2HR
• Meza (H, 2) 3IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 5K
• Barrett (SV, 5) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Dykstra 3-4, R, 2B, SB
• Souza 3-5, R, 3B, 3RBI
• Goodwin 2-3, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI

A four-run fifth powered the Suns past the BlueClaws for a 7-6 win and a 5-1 series smackdown. Brian Dupra hasn’t shook the homer bug, giving up two — nos. 6 and 7, all given up in his last three starts — but got the win. Hagerstown pounded out twelve hits with Cutter Dykstra, Steve Souza and Brian Goodwin combining for eight of them while Matt Skole drew three more walk to push his league-leading total to 47 in 48 games. The Suns continue their road trip with a 500+ mile bus ride last night to Greensboro for a three-game series. Auburn shuffle: Prior to the game, RHP Brian Dupra was assigned from the Doubledays to the Suns, switching places with RHP Jason Smith

Saturday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  11 Responses »
May 262012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 9-6 vs. Columbus,
7:00 p.m.		 Maya (3-4, 2.57) vs.
Kluber (3-4, 4.67)
Harrisburg Lost, 3-1 vs. Reading,
7:00 p.m.		 Demny (3-2, 4.03) vs.
Naylor (3-1, 5.75)
Potomac Won, 11-8 @ Lynchburg,
6:05 p.m.		 Swynenberg (3-2, 4.57) vs.
Schlosser (5-2, 3.95)
Hagerstown Won, 4-2 @ Lakewood,
6:05 p.m.		 Karns (1-0, 2.59) and
Jason Smith (A- debut) vs.
Martinez (3-2, 6.15)
and TBD

Columbus 9 Syracuse 6
• Lannan (L, 3-5) 5IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 0BB, 3K, 2HR
• VanAllen 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Carroll 2-4, 2R, 2B, HR, 3RBI
• Brown 2-5, R, 3B, HR, 2RBI
• Solano 2-5, R

Corey Brown homered for the fifth straight game to set a franchise record, but the Chiefs lost, 9-6. Brown also tripled and drove in two while teammate Brett Carroll smacked a double and home run and sent in three. John Lannan also had two home runs, but they came off his arm, not his bat, as the beleaguered lefty was charged with five runs on seven hits and no walks over five innings. It was his fifth loss and the eighth longball surrendered, five coming in his last two starts. Syracuse pounded out 11 hits but somehow scored six times despite going 1-for-12 with RISP.

Reading 3 Harrisburg 1
• Ballard (L, 1-4) 8IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 5K, 3HR; 3 sac hits
• Nelo 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Lozada 2-5, R, HR, RBI
• Seabury 3-4

The longball also told the story roughly 260 miles down I-81 from Syracuse as the R-Phils went deep three times in a 3-1 win over the Harrisburg Senators. Mike Ballard took the loss despite pitching eight innings with eight hits (three homers, five singles) and a walk allowed; his longest outing of the year. He also followed each of Beau Seabury’s three singles with a sacrifice bunt, but all three times Seabury was stranded. The Sens had 10 hits and 10 men left on base, the lone run coming on (you guessed it) a home run by Jose Lozada.

Potomac 11 Lynchburg 8
• Holder 3⅔ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, K
• Holland (W, 3-1) 2IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Selik (SV, 6) 1⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Taylor 3-5, 3R, 2-2B, 2RBI, SB
• Keyes 2-5, 2-2B, 2RBI
• Oduber 2-5, 2RBI

Potomac broke a six-game road losing streak with an 11-8 win in Lynchburg. Scoring first has been a bellwether for Potomac (13-6 this season), but on the road lately, scoring at all has been a rarity (13 runs in the 10 games prior). A five-run first followed by single runs in the 2nd and 3rd helped Potomac build a 7-0 lead before the Hillcats scratched back with three runs in the 4th and a single run in the 5th. The P-Nats answered with a four-run rally in the 6th, which Lynchburg matched. Neil Holland and Cameron Selik put a stop to any thoughts of blowing the 7-0 lead, combining for three and a 1/3rd scoreless innings of relief to earn the win and save, respectively.

Hagerstown 4 Lakewood 2
• Turnbull (W, 2-3) 6IP, 5H, R, ER, 0BB, 6K
• Holt (H, 1) 2⅓ IP, 1H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K, HBP
• Lucas (SV, 2) ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K, WP, 2-1 IR-S
• Nieto 1-2, 2RBI, 2BB
• Souza 2-4, 2R
• Martinson 2-4, 2B, BB

Kylin Turnbull turned in his best start of the season and the bullpen held up as the Suns put the pinch on the BlueClaws, 4-2 for their third straight win. The 22-y.o. lefty allowed just a single run on five hits and no walks while setting down six on strikes. Three of the four Suns runs were driven in without a base hit, with Adrian Nieto turning the trick twice on groundout in the 3rd and bases-loaded walk in the 8th. Steve Souza and Jason Martinson both went 2-for-4 to lead the Suns eight-hit attack. Roster moves: RHP Pedro Encarnacion was assigned to “Auburn” to make room for RHP Jason Smith, who was activated from the GCL Nationals roster to pitch the second game of the doubleheader tonight.

Friday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  8 Responses »
May 252012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 13-4 vs. Columbus,
7:00 p.m.		 Lannan (3-4, 5.80) vs.
Huff (2-1, 2.66)
Harrisburg Lost, 5-4 vs. Reading,
7:00 p.m.		 Ballard (1-3, 3.30) vs.
Pettibone (3-4, 3.59)
Potomac OFF DAY @ Lynchburg,
6:05 p.m.		 Holder (2-0, 6.00) vs.
Martin (5-4, 3.28)
Hagerstown Won, 2-0;
Won, 4-3		 @ Lakewood,
6:05 p.m.		 Turnbull (1-3, 5.01) vs.
Kleven (3-3, 3.38)

Syracuse 13 Columbus 4
• Duke (W, 5-2) 6IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
• Bibens-Dirkx 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Bynum 3-4, 3R, 2B, HR, 4RBI
• Brown 3-5, R, 3B, HR, 2RBI
• Solano 2-5, 2R, 2B

Corey Brown was a double short of the cycle as the Chiefs sunk the Clippers by 13-4 count. It was the fourth straight game with a homer for the 26-y.o. outfielder. Syracuse put the game away early with a five-run 2nd and a six-run 3rd, racking up 14 hits with Seth Bynum matching Brown’s three hits and leading the RBI column with four. Zach Duke won for the fourth time in his last five starts, giving up all four Columbus runs on eight hits and two walks. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Pat Lehman, and Josh Wilkie each tossed a scoreless inning in relief to finish the game. Roster Moves: After a two-month plus absence due to a neck injury, C Jhonatan Solano was activated from the 7-Day DL, with OF Jason Michaels placed on it to make room on the Syracuse roster.

Altoona 5 Harrisburg 4
• Gilliam (L, 1-5) 6IP, 4H, 5R, 5ER, 4BB, 6K
• Pucetas 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Perez 2-4, R, SB,
• Mayorson 2-4, RBI, CS

Rob Gilliam had just one bad inning, but that five-run first stood up as Altoona took the series finale from Harrisburg, 5-4. Gilliam composed himself to allow just one more hit over the next five scoreless innings, finishing with five runs allowed on five hits and four walks (one intentional) with six strikeouts over six innings. Kevin Pucetas kept the Sens in it with two more scoreless frames. Harrisburg got the tying run to second with one out, and loaded the bases with two outs, but couldn’t push any across. Eury Perez and Manny Mayorson both singled twice as the Sens notched seven hits total.

POTOMAC — OFF DAY
After getting swept by second-place Wilmington, the P-Nats head to Lynchburg for a weekend series against the first-place Lynchburg Hillcats, needing a sweep to have any chance at making up the seven-game deficit with a little more than three weeks left in the first half.

Hagerstown 2 Lakewood 0 — GAME ONE
• Hill (W, 4-3) 6⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 7K
• Barrett (SV, 4) ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Skole 1-3, R, 2B, RBI
• Martinson 1-2, BB

Taylor Hill ended his winless streak of four starts as the Suns shut out the Blue Claws, 2-0 in the opening game of the doubleheader. Hill went six and a 1/3rd innings but back-to-back walks chased him from the game. He allowed just three hits and struck out a career-high seven batters. Aaron Barrett stranded both baserunners for his fourth save. Matt Skole’s RBI double and Caleb Ramsey’s sac fly in the 4th were the difference as the two teams combined for just seven hits.

Hagerstown 4 Lakewood 3 (8 inn.) — GAME TWO
• Encarnacion (ND) 5IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K
• Bates (BS, 1; W, 1-0) 3IP, 2H, R, ER, 2BB, 3K, HR
• Burns 3-4, R
• Dykstra 3-4, 2R, 2SB

Matt Skole struck again, singling in the go-ahead run in the top of the 8th as Hagerstown took the nightcap, 4-3. Billy Burns and Cutter Dykstra combined for six hits while Jason Martinson and Skole combined for four RBI as the four batters accounted for all the Suns offense (nine hits, one walk). Pedro Encarnacion got the spot start and weathered a two-run first to go five innings. Colin Bates gave up the tying run on a leadoff homer in the 7th but retired six of the last seven batters he faced to earn his first win of the season.

Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  11 Responses »
May 242012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse OFF DAY vs. Columbus,
7:00 p.m.		 Duke (4-2, 4.02) vs.
Berger (1-1, 2.65)
Harrisburg Won, 5-3;
Won, 3-2		 @ Altoona,
10:30 a.m.		 Gilliam (1-4, 4.68) vs.
Martis (2-0, 2.00)
Potomac Lost, 3-0 OFF DAY N/A
Hagerstown Lost, 8-6
(10 inn.)		 @ Lakewood,
6:05 p.m.		 TBD and TBD vs.
Stewart (0-4, 3.40) and
Hollands (0-1, 4.91)

SYRACUSE — OFF DAY
The Chiefs return home after a 5-3 road trip to start a four-game set tonight against the Columbus Clippers.

Harrisburg 5 Altoona 3 — GAME ONE
• Rosenbaum (W, 6-0) 5⅔ IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 4K, BK, WP; 1-2, RBI
• Garcia (SV, 6) 1⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, BB, 2K, 1-1 IR-S
• Pahuta 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, RBI
• Rahl 1-3, R, 3B, E

Danny Rosenbaum ran his record to 6-0 despite a pedestrian (this year at least) pitching line in a 5-3 Harrisburg win over Altoona. The 24-year-old southpaw gave up all three Curve runs on seven hits and three walks over five and 2/3rds innings — all season-worsts for him. The Senators scored in three consecutive innings to build a 5-1 before the Curve struck for two in the 6th while chasing Rosenbaum. Christian Garcia let in one inherited runner but got out of the 6th and worked around two hits in the 7th for his sixth save.

Harrisburg 3 Altoona 2 — GAME TWO
• Tatusko 2⅓ IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 0K, HR
• Erik Davis (SV, 2) 1⅓ IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 2-0 IR-S
• Valdez 1-2, R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Perez 1-3, R, 2SB

All five runs scored in the course of two bizarre half-innings, as the Sens edged the Curve 3-2 to take the doubleheader. Spot starter Ryan Tatusko breezed through the first two innings with just an IF single but gave up a leadoff HR and a double to start the 3rd. After Altoona’s pitcher Brandon Cumpton botched a bunt for the first out (batter’s interference), Tatusko was lifted after walking the next batter. The Curve greeted Pat McCoy with a single to take a 2-0 lead. After setting down the first nine batters in order, Cumpton was lit up for back-to-back singles by Eury Perez and Jose Lozada and an RBI double by Jesus Valdez to score Perez. After a shallow fly to CF, the Sens tied the game when Lozada was hit in the back trying to score on a grounder to third, then took the lead on a balk. Both teams threatened in the final three innings, but the 3-2 score after four stood as the final.

Wilmington 3 Potomac 0
• Grace (L, 2-6) 7⅓ IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 2K
• Holland ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Soriano 1-3, 3B, BB
• Bloxom 1-3, 2B, BB, E(8)

For the second time in as many games, the Potomac pitcher turned in his best outing of the season only to watch his counterpart silence his teammates as the Blue Rocks completed the three-game sweep with a 3-0 shutout. Matt Grace pitched into the 8th, allowing all three Wilmington runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two. The P-Nats were limited to five hits and couldn’t take advantage of the five walks they drew, stranding nine baserunners and hitting into two double plays.

Greensboro 8 Hagerstown 6 (10 inn.)
• Meyer (ND) 5IP, H, R, ER, 2BB, 8K, HR
• McKenzie (BS, 1) 2⅔ IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K
• Henke (L, 0-1) 2IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, BB, K
• Ramsey 2-3, 2R, BB, 2HR, 5RBI
• Martinson 2-4, R, BB
• Skole 1-4, 2R, BB, HR, RBI

Caleb Ramsey’s second HR of the game tied the game at 5-5 after eight innings, but the Suns ‘pen imploded in the 10th as Hagerstown lost the game 8-6 and lost the series 2-1. Starter Alex Meyer had his fourth non-decision despite allowing just a home run and two walks over the first five innings, tying his season-high for Ks with eight. Chris McKenzie and Travis Henke suffered the blown save and loss respectively, giving up the last seven runs in the ‘Hoppers four-run 8th and three-run 10th. Matt Skole also homered as all six Suns runs came via the longball. Roster moves: RHP Brian Dupra assigned to Auburn, replaced by RHP Colin Bates from Auburn; LHP Todd Simko placed on the 7-Day DL (effective May 22), RHP Travis Henke assigned to Suns from Doubledays.

Tuesday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  3 Responses »
May 222012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 3-1 @ Toledo,
10:30 a.m.		 Atkins (3-3, 3.55) vs.
Oliver (3-2, 3.25)
Harrisburg Lost, 4-2 @ Altoona,
6:30 p.m.		 Rosenbaum (5-0, 0.62) vs.
Irwin (0-1, 4.76)
Potomac Lost, 7-0 @ Wilmington,
6:35 p.m.		 Ray (1-1, 11.25) vs.
Ventura (2-3, 2.97))
Hagerstown Losing, 1-0
(Susp., Top 2)		 vs. Greensboro,
5:05 p.m.		 TBD vs. TBD

Syracuse 3 Toledo 1
• Roark (W, 3-5) 5IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Pena (SV, 1) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Brown 2-4, 2R, HR, RBI
• Hoffpauir 1-3, SF, RBI

Tanner Roark returned to the starting rotation and extended his scoreless inning streak to 14 with five more in a 3-1 Syracuse win over Toledo. The 25-y.o. allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out four. For the second straight game, Corey Brown led off the game with a HR, and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored to lead the Syracuse offense, which struggled otherwise (1-for-10 with RISP, 10 LOB). Hassan Pena was the last of four relievers to follow Roark, pitching around a two-out IF hit to earn his first save of the season.

Altoona 4 Harrisburg 2
• Mandel (L, 4-3) 6IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 3BB, 6K, WP
• Pucetas 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Perez 2-4, BB, RBI
• Lozada 3-4, R, 3B

The Sens out hit the Curve 8-5 but lost the game 4-2. Altoona committed two errors to Harrisburg’s one, but two runs scored on the Senator error, a bases-loaded, one-out grounder that went through Manny Mayorson’s legs. The Sens were DOA with RISP, going just 1-for-7 with 9 runners left on. Jose Lozada and Eury Perez combined for five of the eight hits. Starter Jeff Mandel took the loss despite a quality start of three runs allowed (two earned) on four hits and three walks.

Wilmington 7 Potomac 0
• Swynenberg (L, 3-2) 4⅓ IP 9H, 6R, 5ER, BB, 6K
• Hansen 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Taylor 1-2, 2B, BB
• Hague 1-4

Wilmington’s Greg Billo and Leondy Perez combined on a two-hit shutout of Potomac by a 7-0 count. Starter Matt Swynenberg took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk. Ricky Hague’s single in the 1st and Michael Taylor’s double in the 2nd were the two Potomac hits. Taylor’s walk in the 5th was the third and final P-Nat baserunner. Roster moves… OF J.P. Ramirez was assigned from Hagerstown, while OF Wade Moore was assigned to Extended Spring Training. RHP Adam Olbrychowski was activated from the DL while RHP Kyle Winters was released.

Greensboro 1 Hagerstown 0 — SUSP.
Rain halted play during the second inning last night, forcing a suspension of play. Play will resume tonight at 5:05 p.m. to complete the suspended game in nine innings, followed by second game of seven innings. RHP Brian Dupra was activated from the Temporary Inactive List, taking the place of Ramirez on the Suns’ 25-man roster.

Saturday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  3 Responses »
May 192012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 12-2 @ Toledo,
7:00 p.m.		 Wang (2-0, 3.60) vs.
Turner (0-0, 3.38)
Harrisburg Lost, 9-3 vs. Bowie,
7:00 p.m.		 Ballard (1-2, 3.44) vs.
Bascom (2-2, 4.87)
Potomac Lost, 12-5 vs. Carolina,
6:35 p.m.		 Holder (2-0, 4.34) vs.
Jimenez (4-1, 2.43)
Hagerstown Won, 5-4 vs. Delmarva,
7:05 p.m.		 Hill (3-2, 3.90) vs.
Chalas (3-2, 8.34)

Columbus 12 Syracuse 2
• Duke (L, 4-2) 5IP, 8H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 3K, HR
• Severino 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Bynum 2-4, R, RBI
• Howell 1-4, 2B

A six-run 7th by Columbus put this game away, turning a 6-1 lead into a 12-1 blowout as the Clippers would sail to a 12-2 win over Syracuse. Cory VanAllen failed to retire any of the five batters he faced, giving up two doubles and two walks with a Carlos Rivero error. Hassan Pena would let in both inherited runners and give up a run of his own before getting out of the inning. The Chiefs would manage just five hits, with three coming from the #8 and #9 batters, Seth Bynum and Jeff Howell.

Bowie 9 Harrisburg 3
• Gilliam (L, 1-4) 6IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 5K, HR
• Tatusko 3IP, 5H, 6R, 6ER, BB, K, HR, BK
• Valdez 3-4, 2B
• Seabury 1-2, 2BB, RBI

A pair of three-run rallies in the late innings turned a 3-1 game into a 9-1 Bowie beatdown. Harrisburg would get two in the last of the 9th for the 9-3 final. Starter Robert Gilliam gave up single runs in the first three innings but lasted six innings, giving up eight hits but five were for extra bases (four doubles, a solo HR). Ryan Tatusko had the misfortune of a dropped third strike in the 7th and a balk in the 8th but finished the game to save the bullpen. The Senators were a woeful 1-for-10 with RISP and left on seven, the “1″ being Chris McConnell’s RBI single in the last of the 9th. Jesus Valdez had three of the seven Harrisburg hits. Prior to the game, Manny Mayorson was activated from the DL to bring the Senators roster to the full 25.

Carolina 12 Potomac 5
• Grace (L, 2-5) 5IP, 12H, 8R, 8ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
• Hansen 2IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K, HBP, pickoff at 1B
• Bloxom 1-3, R, HR, 2RBI, BB
• Oduber 2-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI

Same [stuff], different weekend. The Mudcats hammered the P-Nats for 12 runs on 18 hits for Carolina’s fourth straight win over Potomac. The collective score thus far has been 33-10 by runs, 47-11 by hits. Justin Bloxom and Randolph Oduber once again were the two P-Nats the Mudcats pitchers couldn’t reel in, both homering and driving in three of the five Potomac runs. The two have seven of those 11 hits in the four games. Matt Grace took the loss with eight runs allowed on 12 hits, including a three-run shot by Jeremie Tice in the 3rd. Bobby Hansen returned from the DL and gave up on a run on a two-out double following a hit batsmen, but his one run over two innings made him the most effective Potomac pitcher of the night.

Hagerstown 5 Delmarva 4
• Meyer 5IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 6K, HR
• Hawkins 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Lucas (W, 2-0) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Ramsey 1-3, R, HR, 3RBI
• Martinson 2-4, R, RBI

The Hagerstown Suns scored the last five runs of the game, walking off with a 5-4 win over Delmarva. Starter Alex Meyer was touched for all four Shorebird runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. Ben Hawkins and Bobby Lucas pitched each pitched two perfect innings of relief, striking out six combined. Hagerstown rallied for three in the 8th to tie with a Steve Souza sac fly and Caleb Ramsey’s two-run HR. Brian Goodwin (0-for-3) drew a leadoff walk and took third on an errant pickoff move. He scored two batters later on Jason Martinson’s RBI single. To make room on the Suns roster for Goodwin, Brian Dupra was placed on the temporary inactive list. Billy Burns played LF and extended his on-base streak to 30 games with a single in the 7th.

Friday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  4 Responses »
May 182012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 6-1 @ Columbus,
7:05 p.m.		 Duke (4-1, 3.43) vs.
Slowey (2-3, 5.79)
Harrisburg Lost, 1-0
(14 inn.)		 vs. Bowie,
7:00 p.m.		 Gilliam (1-3, 4.70) vs.
Clark (2-3, 4.12)
Potomac Won, 10-9 vs. Carolina,
7:05 p.m.		 Grace (2-4, 6.14) vs.
TBD
Hagerstown Won, 13-11 vs. Delmarva,
7:05 p.m.		 Meyer (2-3, 4.32) vs.
Rodriguez (1-0, 2.42)

Syracuse 6 Columbus 1
• Atkins (W, 3-3) 5IP, 3H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 2K
• Roark 3IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
• Brown 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, CS
• Paul 2-4, R, RBI
• Negrych 1-3, R, HR, 2RBI

Jim Negrych’s two-run HR started the five-run 2nd off with a bang, as Syracuse downed Columbus, 6-1. Mitch Atkins evened his record with one run given up over five innings while Tanner Roark struck out five over three in his first relief outing. Corey Brown and Xavier Paul remain red-hot, combining for five of the eight Syracuse hits and both scoring a run.

Richmond 1 Harrisburg 0 (14 inn.)
• Rosenbaum (ND) 7IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 4K
• Pucetas 3IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
• Frias (L, 1-3) 1⅓ IP, 0H, R, ER, 5BB, 0K, WP
• Valdez 2-6
• Kobernus 1-5, SB, SH

Richmond quite literally walked off as Marcos Frias issued four free passes (one intentional) in the bottom of the 14th to send Harrisburg to a 1-0 loss, snapping the Sens’ five-game win streak. Starter Danny Rosenbaum lowered his ERA to 0.62 with seven shutout innings, but the Flyinq Squirrels’ Chris Heston — the #2 man in the E.L. ERA race at 0.71 — matched him, then threw an 8th scoreless frame. Harrisburg managed just six hits, with Jesus Valdez the sole multihit Senator.

Potomac 10 Frederick 9
• Winters (ND) 5IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 3K
• Holland (W, 2-1) 3IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 2K, 2-2 IR-S
• Taylor 3-4, R, 2B, 3RBI
• Bloxom 3-5, 3R, RBI

A win is a win, even when it’s ugly like it was Last Night In Woodbridge.
Prior to the game, LHP Bobby Hansen Jr. was activated from the DL, with RHP Wilson Eusebio moved to the temporary inactive list to make room on the 25-man roster.

Hagerstown 13 Delmarva 11
• Dupra 3IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, BB, 2K, 3HR
• Holt (W, 1-0) 2⅓ IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, BB, K
• Simko (SV, 1) 2IP, 0H, R, ER, 3BB, 0K
• Ramsey 4-5, 2R, 2B, RBI
• Dykstra 3-5, 3R, HR, 3RBI
• Martinson 2-3, R, 2B, 3B, 3RBI

After blowing leads of 7-4 and 9-8, Hagerstown put another four-spot on the board in the last of the 7th and fended off one last charge from Delmarva for a 13-11 win. Every Hagerstown batter reached base, eight drove in at least one run, and seven had a hit as the Suns piled up 14 hits total. Caleb Ramsey led the hit parade with a 4-for-5 night, while Cutter Dykstra and Jason Martinson both drove in three. Starter Brian Dupra was tagged for four runs on four hits, three of them over the fence. Greg Holt got the win in relief while Todd Simko notched the save. Byron Kerr is reporting that CF Brian Goodwin will be back in action tonight. No word on the corresponding roster move just yet, but look for Billy Burns (29G on-base streak) to shift to LF.

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