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.

Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  8 Responses »
May 172012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-2 @ Columbus,
6:35 p.m.		 Atkins (2-3, 4.09) vs.
Espino (0-0, 10.12)
Harrisburg Won, 4-2 @ Richmond,
6:35 p.m.		 Rosenbaum (5-0, 0.71) vs.
Heston (3-2, 0.84)
Potomac Won, 5-4;
Won, 4-2		 vs. Frederick,
7:05 p.m.		 Winters (1-5, 6.99) vs.
Copeland (1-3, 5.91)
Hagerstown Won, 8-6 vs. Delmarva,
7:05 p.m.		 Dupra (2-3, 4.82) vs.
Davies (2-1, 3.16)

Columbus 6 Syracuse 2
• Lannan (L, 3-4) 6IP, 11H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, K, 3HR
• Martin 1IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K
• Rivero 2-4
• Paul 1-2, R, 2B, 2BB

Three home runs, the last being a three-run shot in the 6th, handed the loss to John Lannan as the Chiefs lost for the first time in a week, 6-2 to Columbus. The erstwhile southpaw was tagged for all six Clipper runs, giving up 11 hits and walking four in his 4th loss. Carlos Rivero singled twice while Xavier Paul walked twice and doubled once and to lead the Syracuse offense.

Harrisburg 4 Richmond 2
• Mandel (W, 4-2) 7⅔ IP, 3H, R, ER, 4BB, 3K, BK, HBP; 1-for-3
• Nelo (SV, 3) 1IP, H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Perez 4-5, 2-2B, 2RBI, 2SB
• Pahuta 1-3, BB

Jeff Mandel bounced back to April form, tossing seven and 2/3rds innings of three-hit, one-run ball as the Senators extended their win streak to five with a 4-2 win over Richmond. Eury Perez seems to be shaking his slump, singling, doubling, and driving in a run twice for six total bases out of the Harrisburg total of 13. Hector Nelo worked around a single to pitch a scoreless 9th and register his third save.

Potomac 5 Frederick 4 — GAME ONE
• Ray (W, 1-1) 6IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 0K
• Selik (SV, 5) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Hague 3-3, 2R, HR, RBI
• Sanchez 1-3, HR, RBI
• Keyes 2-3, 2B, RBI

Potomac 4 Frederick 3 — GAME TWO
• Swynenberg (ND) 5+ IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• Wort 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3K, 2-1 IR-S
• Eusebio (W, 1-0) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Kelso 3-5, 3R, 2B, SB
• Soriano 2-5, 2B, 2RBI

Potomac improves to 10-8 at home with doubleheader sweep of the Keys Last Night In Woodbridge
Hagerstown 8 Hickory 6
• Karns (W, 1-0) 6IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 5K
• Lucas (H, 2) ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 2-0 IR-S
• Souza 3-5. R, HR, 4RBI
• Skole 1-3, 3BB, RBI
• Burns 1-3, R, 2BB, RBI

Steve Souza put another 3-for-5 with a HR into the books as the Hagerstown Suns completed a three-game sweep of Hickory with an 8-6 win. Souza’s HR was his 7th in just 13 games played, and his second in as many games since being activated from the DL. Nathan Karns turned in his longest outing of the season (6IP, 2R) to earn his first win. The Suns return home for a seven-game homestand, beginning with a four-game set against the Delmarva Shorebirds. To make room for Souza on the Suns roster, Wirkin Estevez was placed on the DL, retroactive to May 14.

The Next Drumm, er Catcher For The Big Nats (UPDATED)

 News and Notes, Transactions  17 Responses »
May 152012
 

The Nationals have officially recalled C Carlos Maldonado from the Syracuse Chiefs, replacing the recently promoted Sandy Leon, who was injured last night in a collision at the plate with San Diego’s Chase Headly.

To make room on the Washington Roster, C Wilson Ramos was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-Day DL, while Leon was placed on the 15-Day DL with what’s being called a “high ankle sprain,” though you can see in Cheryl Nichols‘ shot of the collision that his ankle was everted, as noted last night on Twitter.

Leon struck out in his lone plate appearance before the injury.

As of this writing, the corresponding moves in the Nationals minors have not been made. Syracuse officials are asserting Jhonatan Solano is still ill despite not having played in nearly a month, though he has been sight unseen by at least one of the local beat writers.

Thus, if as Solano is not available, this is the likely chain of events that followed the Maldonado callup:

• Devin Ivany James Skelton assigned to Syracuse to replace Maldonado
• Beau Seabury assigned to Harrisburg to replace Ivany Skelton
• Sam Palace Erick Fernandez activated from the Potomac DL assigned from the GCL Nationals to replace Seabury

UPDATE: The Harrisburg Senators and Potomac Nationals have announced the corresponding moves, with Skelton getting the call instead of Ivany and Erick Fernandez. As noted in the comments, David Freitas and Adrian Nieto are both staying put at Potomac and Hagerstown while it’s come to light that Solano has reportedly been suffering from a herniated disc, which, of course is a far cry from an illness and more serious than most people realize.

Leon Gets The Call To Washington

 Transactions  7 Responses »
May 132012
 

The much ballyhooed depth of the Nationals’ catching will be put to the test as Harrisburg’s Sandy Leon gets the call to replace Wilson Ramos on the Washington roster.

Geography was apparently a factor in the decision, with the Harrisburg Senators in Akron Ohio, roughly four hours away by car from Cincinnati. Another factor: the undisclosed injury/illness of Jhonatan Solano, who remains on the DL since April 20. As reported last month, the Syracuse radio team referencing him feeling ill in one of the broadcasts.

Folks have pointed out that Solano’s last appearance was on April 16, a game in in which Solano was hit by a pitch in the 7th, however, he did not leave the game, ran the bases, and struck out in the next inning. There was no mention of his name in the timeframe in between April 16th and April 20th in either the Syracuse or Auburn newspapers that would either confirm or refute that remark.

How long Leon stays on the parent club is another question that remains open to debate and speculation. Defensively, there is little doubt that the 23-year-old Venezuelan is MLB-ready, but while the casual fan will note his hitting prowess this season (.319/.356/.457), this offensive outburst has been long time coming.

Yes, he’ll get the benefit of major-league coaching, though the diminishing offensive returns of the Washington Nationals under Rick Eckstein’s watch begs the question, “Might this do more harm than good?”

The move fills the Nationals 40-man roster to the 40-man limit, with seven players (Mark DeRosa, Brad Lidge, Michael Morse, Ramos, Drew Storen, Chien-Ming Wang, and Jayson Werth) on the 15-day DL and two on the 60-day DL (Chris Marrero, Cole Kimball). It’s worth noting that Wang’s rehab period ends in roughly 15 days, while the 60-day period for Marrero and Kimball is up about week after that.

Predicting the next move is always a fool’s errand, for if there’s one thing that’s certain, the current front office will find a way to exploit this confluence of events if there’s any way possible. (You can go looking for the rules for the 60-Day DL, but I suspect they’re not found on a sign on Jimmie Dimmick’s front lawn).

My personal opinion is that this may be harmful to Leon because it’s going to interrupt his offensive development, while folks I highly respect (e.g. Brian Oliver) feel that with a ceiling of a backup catcher, you can kill two stones with one bird instead of making an impulsive trade or burning an organizational player (e.g. Carlos Maldonado or Devin Ivany).

Congratulations to Sandy nevertheless. Quite a phone call he got to make to su mama esta la noche, no?

Friday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  14 Responses »
May 112012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 5-1 vs. Rochester,
7:00 p.m.		 Lannan (2-3, 6.10) vs.
Manship (2-0, 2.45)
Harrisburg Lost, 7-0 @ Akron,
7:05 p.m.		 Rosenbaum (4-0, 0.81) vs.
Wright (3-1, 1.13)
Potomac Won, 5-2 @ Carolina,
7:15 p.m.		 Winters (1-4, 5.51) vs.
Goodnight (1-2, 5.06)
Hagerstown Lost, 6-3 @ Lexington,
7:05 p.m.		 Meyer (2-3, 4.28) vs.
Tropeano (2-2, 1.87)

Syracuse 5 Durham 1
• Maya (W, 2-4) 7IP, 7H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 4K
• Lehman 1IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Paul 1-3, R, HR, 3RBI
• Negrych 1-3, R, HR, RBI
• Maldonado 1-3, R, HR, RBI

Durham outhit Syracuse 8-6, but three of those six went over the fence as the Chiefs beat the Bulls, 5-1 and took the series 3-1. Yunesky Maya turned in seven strong innings, giving up an unearned run on seven hits and a walk to win his 2nd game of the season. Xavier Paul, Jim Negrych, and Carlos Maldonado each went deep, with Paul’s shot driving in three. Pat Lehman and Josh Wilkie both turned in a scoreless inning to close out the game. The eight-game homestand continues tonight as Rochester comes to town for the next four games.

Akron 7 Harrisburg 0
• Mandel (L, 3-2) 3IP, 6H, 6R, 5ER, BB, 0K, HR
• Davis 2IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Kobernus 2-4
• Hood 2-4, E(1)

Jeff Mandel got manhandled for four runs in the bottom of the first and it was more than Akron would need as the Aeros flew past the Senators, 7-0. Akron opened their half of the 1st with four straight singles, with a stolen base and an error in between, before Mandel would settle down to get three of the next four batters out. The Aeros, however, would post a picket fence with single runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to put the game out of reach. Jeff Kobernus and Destin Hood both went 2-for-4 as Harrisburg was held to just seven hits, shut out for the second time this week and the third time in the last 10 games.

Potomac 5 Salem 2
• Swynenberg (W, 3-1) 5IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 2K
• Wort (H, 2) 2IP, H, 0R, BB, 5K
• Cameron Selik (S, 4) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Keyes 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, 4RBI
• Walters 2-4, R

Perhaps all Potomac needed was a good night’s rest and a chance to take some BP, as emerging staff ace Matt Swynenberg, the back of the ‘pen, and Kevin Keyes led the P-Nats to 5-2 win in the series finale. Swynenberg faltered late, but turned in a two-runs-in-five-innings start for his team-leading 3rd W. Rob Wort and Cameron Selik combined for four shutout innings of relief with just a hit and walk and eight strikeouts between them. Kevin Keyes doubled, homered, scored twice, and drove in four runs to power the Potomac offense. Prior to the game, RHP Adam Olbrychowski was placed on the 7-Day DL with LHP Joe Testa assigned from Harrisburg taking his spot on the roster.

Lexington 6 Hagerstown 3
• Karns 4IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 8K, HBP
• Lucas 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Ramsey 1-2, 2RBI, BB
• Newsome 1-3, R, 2B, BB

A four-run seventh was the undoing of the Suns as the Legends doubled them up, 6-3. Nathan Karns went four innings in his first start, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk and striking out eight. Christian Meza took the loss after giving up two hits in the seventh and leaving with one out and a 3-2 lead. Greg Holt walked the next two batters to lose the lead then gave up a two-run single and a sac fly for the eventual margin of victory. The Suns were held to just seven hits, going 3-for-12 with RISP and stranding eight baserunners. RHP Alex Kreis was placed on the 7-Day DL, retroactive to May 8, making room for OF Chris Curran, who was assigned from Potomac.

Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  6 Responses »
May 102012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 15-8 vs. Durham,
7:00 p.m.		 Roark (1-5, 5.70) vs.
Torra (2-3, 5.45)
Harrisburg Lost, 8-2 @ Akron,
7:05 p.m.		 Mandel (3-1, 2.97) vs.
McFarland (5-1, 2.62)
Potomac Lost, 10-0;
Lost, 6-2		 @ Salem,
7:00 p.m.		 Swynenberg (2-1, 3.77) vs.
Pressly (2-0, 7.06)
Hagerstown OFF DAY @ Lexington,
7:05 p.m.		 Karns (0-0, 1.35) vs.
Dufek (0-0, 5.14)

Syracuse 15 Durham 8
• Wang (W, 1-0) 7IP, 8H, 2R, 2ER, BB, K
• Severino (SV, 3) 1⅓ IP, H, 0R, 2BB, 2K, 2-2 IR-S, WP
• Teahen 3-5, R, 2B, BB, 5RBI, SB
• Hoffpauir 3-3, 2R, 2BB, 3RBI
• Brown 2-3, 3R, 2B, 3BB,

It was a battle of attrition in the late innings, turning what should have been a three-hour cruise into Gilligan’s Island in a 15-8 win for Syracuse. Chien-Ming Wang turned in seven decent innings, scattering eight hits and giving up two runs while the Chiefs offense broke out and built a 10-2 lead. The Bulls gored the Chiefs ‘pen for six runs in the top of the 8th, with Austin Bibens-Dirkx facing four batters and giving up the minimum of four runs possible with three singles and grand slam allowed. The Chiefs steered things around in the bottom of the inning with a five-run rally, highlighted by Mark Teahen’s two-run double and lowlighted by a pair of ejections after a Seth Bynum strikeout (Bynum, manager Tony Beasley). Atahualpa Severino, who had gotten the final out in the 8th, retired the side in the 9th to end the game after three hours, 38 minutes.

Richmond 8 Harrisburg 2
• Demny 5⅓ IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 7K, HR
• Frias 2IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 0K
• Nicol 2-3
• Kobernus 2-4, 2R
• Valdez 2-4, 2B

A pair of three-run rallies vaulted Richmond over Harrisburg for an 8-2 win and a two-game sweep of the rain-shortened series. The Senators collected nine hits, with three players getting two hits apiece, but went a dreadful 1-for-9 with RISP and stranded eight baserunners. Paul Demny took the loss, charged with five runs on five hits and three walks, with reliever Pat McCoy letting the last two runs before giving up two of his own over one and 2/3rds innings. The Senators hit the road for seven games, beginning with a four-game set against the Akron Aeros tonight.

Salem 10 Potomac 0 (comp. of susp. gm.)
• Olbrychowski (L, 1-4) ⅔ 5H, 6R, 6ER, 3BB, K, 2HR
• Applebee 2⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Taylor 1-2, 2B, 2BB, OF assist at 3B
• Sanchez 1-2

Down 6-0 after 3½ innings, Salem had its way with relievers Shane McCatty and Wilson Eusebiom scoring a pair of runs off both to run the score to 10-0. Potomac was held to just three hits, with David Freitas and Adrian Sanchez both singling and Michael Taylor collecting his league-leading 13th double.

Salem 6 Potomac 2 (5 inn, rain)
• Ray (L, 0-1) 1⅔ IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, 3BB, K, 2HR
• Holder 2⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Hague 1-1, R, 2BB, SB, RBI
• Bloxom 1-3, 2B, RBI

Robbie Ray lasted just 15 batters before the Salem Red Sox chased him from the game, sending him to the showers after six runs and seven hits, including a solo HR and a grand slam. Trevor Holder turned in another fine relief outing, but the offense was limited to just two hits: a single by Rick Hague, a double by Justin Bloxom. Rain halted play after five full innings, saving the bullpen further work after having pitched 9⅔ innings in less than 24 hours.

HAGERSTOWN SUNS — OFF DAY
After a 5-2 homestand, the Suns hit the road for seven games, beginning with a four-game set with the Lexington Legends. Prior to yesterday’s game, Kylin Turnbull was assigned from “Auburn,” taking the roster spot of Steve Souza, who had been placed on the 7-Day DL, retroactive to May 6.

Friday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  No Responses »
May 042012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-5 @ Buffalo,
7:05 p.m.		 Roark (1-4, 4.85) vs.
Hefner (2-1, 2.08)
Harrisburg Won, 5-4 at Binghamton,
7:05 p.m.		 Mandel (2-1, 2.67) vs.
Gonzalez Germen (AA debut)
Potomac Won, 5-0 vs. Wilmington,
7:05 p.m.		 Swynenberg (2-1, 3.24) vs.
Ventura (0-2, 4.43)
Hagerstown Won, 9-4 vs. Rome,
7:05 p.m.		 Wang (rehab) vs.
Moore (1-0, 3.32)

Buffalo 6 Syracuse 5
• Atkins (ND) 6IP, 11H, 4R, 4ER, BB, 4K, HR
• VanAllen ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K, 2-0 IR-S
• Maldonado 3-4, R, HR, 2RBI
• Teahen 2-4, R, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB
• Negrych 2-5

A pair of two-run rallied by the Bisons in the 6th and 8th innings helped Buffalo overcome a 4-2 lead and edge Syracuse, 6-5. The Chiefs rallied for one in the 9th but left the tying and winning runs on 3rd and 2nd as Brett Carroll went down swinging. Mitch Atkins got the start and gave up four runs on 11 hits and a walk. Carlos Maldonado led the offense with a 3-for-4 night, including a solo HR.
OF Xavier Paul was activated from the Restricted List, bringing the Syracuse roster back to the full 25.

Harrisburg 5 New Britain 4
• Demny (W, 2-1) 6IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, HR
• Nelo (SV, 2) ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K, 2-0 IR-S
• Rahl 2-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Hood 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI
• Kobernus 2-4, 2R, SB

A 122-minute rain delay scratched Chien Ming-Wang’s rehab start, but Paul Demny survived a rocky first inning to pitch six in 5-4 Harrisburg win over New Britain. The 22-y.o. Texan allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Both Rock Cats runs came on a two-run homer to the second batter of the game. Chris Rahl, Destin Hood, and Jeff Kobernus each had two hits as the Sens hammered out nine for the contest. After a 2-5 homestand, Harrisburg heads to the bustling environs of Binghamton for the weekend before returning to City Island on Monday to host Richmond.

Potomac 6 Winston-Salem 5
• Ray (ND) 4⅔ IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, BB, 5K, HR, HBP
• Holder (W, 2-0) 3⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Walters 3-4, 2R, SB
• Bloxom 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, 3RBI, BB
• Keyes 2-4, RBI

Trevor Holder-ed the Dash to set up a comeback 6-5 win Thursday Afternoon In Woodbridge.
Before the game, Robbie Ray was activated from the 7-Day DL, swapping places with Bobby Hansen Jr.

Hagerstown 9 Rome 4
• Dupra 3IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 0K
• Meza (W, 2-0) 3IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, BB, 5K
• Burns 2-4, R, 3B, RBI, SB
• Souza 2-5, HR, 2RBI
• Martinson 2-5, RBI

Highlighted by Cutter Dykstra’s three-run triple, Hagerstown rallied for four in the bottom of the 6th to break a 2-2 and cruise to a 9-4 win over Rome. It was the fourth Suns win in five games against the Braves, and the ninth win at the Muni in eleven contests. Brian Dupra got the start and tossed three scoreless before the rains came and delayed things for three hours, 11 minutes (this is Rome’s sole trip to W. Maryland and they’re due in Greenville, SC on Saturday night, thus the impetus to avoid a twinbill tonight). Christian Meza got the win in relief with the support of a 12-hit effort by the offense.
Prior to the game, Bryce Ortega was placed on the 7-Day DL, with Hendry Jimenez replacing him from XST.

Thursday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  2 Responses »
May 032012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 5-2 @ Buffalo,
6:05 p.m.		 Atkins (2-2, 3.68) vs.
Familia (2-1, 5.40)
Harrisburg Lost, 5-4 vs. New Britain,
7:00 p.m.		 Wang (rehab) vs.
Hirschfeld (2-2, 3.14)
Potomac Won, 5-0 vs. Winston-Salem,
10:35 a.m.		 Ray (2-3, 3.13 in ’11)
vs. McCray (0-0, 0.00)
Hagerstown Won, 10-5 vs. Rome,
7:05 p.m.		 Dupra (2-3, 3.63) vs.
Filak (1-1, 1.73)

Buffalo 5 Syracuse 2
• Arnesen (L, 1-1) 3⅓ IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 3K
• Martin 2⅔ 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K, 2-1
• Rivero 2-4, 2B, RBI
• Carroll 0-1, 2BB

The Bison stampeded the Chiefs with two runs in the 3rd and three in the 5th en route to a 5-2 win. Erik Arnesen was charged with all five runs, giving up six hits and two walks over three and 1/3rd innings. Rafael Martin let in one of two inherited runners but combined with Atahualpa Severino and Josh Wilkie to shut down Buffalo the rest of the way. Unfortunately, the Bison ‘pen was just as effective — limiting the Chiefs to just two hits over the final five frames. Carlos Rivero had two of the five Syracuse hits and has 10 in his last 19AB.

New Britain 5 Harrisburg 4
• Ballard (ND) 6IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 8K, HR
• Pucetas (L, 1-1) 3IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K
• Pahuta 2-4, R, HR, RBI
• Valdez 2-4, R, 2B
• Kobernus 2-4

The Sens smacked three big flies but the Rock Cats scratched to a 5-4 win. Sandy Leon, Tim Pahuta both delivered solo shots while Chris Rahl drove in two with his 5th HR, but Harrisburg had trouble scoring otherwise — just five runners got past first base and only one scored (Valdez double followed by Rahl homer) as the Sens stranded five runners and hit into two double plays. Mike Ballard started and was charged with four runs over the first seven innings while Kevin Pucetas took the loss as a pair of singles and a wild pitch scored the gamewinner for New Britain in the 9th.

Potomac 5 Winston-Salem 0
• Olbrychowski 6⅔ IP, 5H, 0R, 3BB, 5K
• Selik 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 5K
• Freitas 3-4, R
• Bloxom 2-4, R, 2RBI
• Keyes 2-4, 2B, RBI

Three P-Nats pitchers combined on a 5-0 shutout Last Night In Woodbridge

Hagerstown 10 Rome 5
• Estevez (W, 3-1) 5⅓ IP, 3H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 6K, HR
• McKenzie 1IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Souza 2-5, 2R, 2B, HR, 3RBI
• Martinson 2-5, 2B, HR, 2RBI
• Ramirez 3-4, 2-2B, RBI

A five-run 5th broke open a 3-1 game as the Suns doubled up the Braves of Rome, 10-5. Steve Souza and Jason Martinson both went 2-for-5 with a double and a HR as Hagerstown registered seven extra-base hits in the rout. Wirkin “For The Weekend” Estevez returned from “Auburn” to pitch five and a 1/3rd innings and earn his third win, but also gave up his 4th HR in six starts. Kylin Turnbull was assigned to the Auburn roster prior to the game to make room for Estevez. He’ll likely swap places with another pitcher in another 5-6 days, perhaps even Estevez himself.

Ripple Effects From The Harper, Moore Promotions

 Transactions  4 Responses »
Apr 302012
 

While it’s never as quick as we want, the effects from the promotions of Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore are starting to become apparent. To be clear, there isn’t necessarily or always a 1:1 relationship to roster moves. But for the sakes of clarity and explanation, it’s simply easier to presume one:

SYRACUSE → WASHINGTON
• OF Bryce Harper replaces 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 15-Day DL (eligible to be activated May 6)
• 1B-OF Tyler Moore replaces IF-OF Mark DeRosa, 15-Day DL (eligible to be activated May 13)
• RHP Ryan Perry replaces RHP Brad Lidge, 15-Day DL (eligible to be activated May 7)

HARRISBURG → SYRACUSE
• RHP Pat Lehman replaces Perry
• IF Jim Negrych replaces Moore

POTOMAC → HARRISBURG
• IF Sean Nicol replaces Negrych

EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING → HARRISBURG
• RHP Ryan Tatusko replaces Lehman

EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING → POTOMAC
• SS Rick Hague replaces Nicol

Currently, the Syracuse roster is one short of the 25-man limit, which is a new development this year for AA and AAA and may help explain why there’s been no “rush” to make moves.

As reported in the News & Notes the past couple of days, C Jhonatan Solano is eligible to come off the DL but has not yet been activated. OF Xavier Paul is still on the Restricted List and (presumably) is also a candidate. Speculation in the comments that Moore could be returned once Zimmerman is reactivated next weekend is certainly a viable hypothesis.

Finally, as we’ve seen from the large contingency in Viera/Auburn — and several of the moves made on the Hagerstown roster this month — there are also plenty of options for the Nationals to rotate players on and off rosters. We can’t help but guess the next move or pound the drum for a promotion, but the past three days ought to remind us that we’ll probably be wrong more often than not and surprised just as much.

Monday’s News & Notes

 News and Notes, Transactions  7 Responses »
Apr 302012
 
Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 5-2 vs. Charlotte,
6:00 p.m.		 Lannan (1-2, 6.63) vs.
Doyle (1-1, 3.63)
Harrisburg Lost, 8-7 vs. New Britain,
7:00 p.m.		 Rosenbaum (3-0, 0.94) vs.
Bromberg (0-0, 12.86)
Potomac Won, 2-1 vs. Winston-Salem,
7:05 p.m.		 Winters (1-2, 5.24) vs.
Ryan Buch (1-1, 4.76)
Hagerstown Lost, 2-0 @ Augusta,
7:05 p.m.		 Hill (3-0, 2.25) vs.
Davis (1-0, 3.00)

Charlotte 5 Syracuse 2
• Maya (L, 1-3) 7IP, 8H, 5R, 5ER, BB, K, 2HR
• VanAllen 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Rivero 2-4, R, HR, RBI
• Hoffpauir 2-4, RBI

The home run is quickly becoming Yunesky Maya’s worst enemy, as the 30-year-old Cuban gave up two more in a 5-2 Syracuse loss to Charlotte. Maya gave up nos. 3 and 4 in his fifth start, accounting for three of the five runs he was charged with in this start, and nine of the 13 he’s allowed this season. Carlos Rivero and Jarrett Hoffpauir both went 2-for-4 in the loss, with Rivero connecting for his first HR of the season. IF Jim Negrych was assigned to the Chiefs roster to take the place of Tyler Moore, who went 1-for-3 in his big-league debut in Los Angeles, but there’s still a roster spot open after the promotions of Bryce Harper and Ryan Perry on Friday.

Bowie 8 Harrisburg 7
• Mandel (ND) 5⅔ IP, 10H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• Nelo 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Valdez 4-5, 3R, OF assist at HP
• Rahl 2-4, R, BB, RBI, SB
• King 2-5, R, 4RBI, SB

Harrisburg blew leads of 3-1, 5-3, and 7-5 before succumbing to the Bowie onslaught by an 8-7 count. Jeff Mandel took his first serious beating of the season, giving up six runs on 10 hits and two walks. Harrisburg was a respectable 6-for-16 with RISP with 10 runners left on, but four of them came in the final three innings, as the BaySox ‘pen held the Sens to no runs over the last four and 2/3rds innings. Patriot-News beat writer Geoff Morrow notes reports that a move to replace Negrych on the Harrisburg roster is not expected soon. When it comes, though, read his account via Doug Harris about how “punking” is a part of the Nationals promotion process.

Potomac 2 Myrtle Beach 1
• Swynenberg (W, 2-1) 9IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 3K
• Kelso 1-3, RBI, SAC
• Keyes 1-3, 2B, OF assist (2B)
• Walters 0-3, SF, RBI

Matt Swynenberg needed just 94 pitches to complete the game on a Sunday Afternoon In Woodbridge

Augusta 2 Hagerstown 0
• Meyer (l, 1-3) 5⅔ IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 8K
• Meza 2⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 2K, 1-0 IR-S
• Dykstra 2-4, BB, SB
• Souza 1-3, 2B, BB
• Burns 0-3, 2BB

Alex Meyer pitched into the 6th for the first time this season, but couldn’t get the “W” as the GreenJacket pitchers limited the Suns batters to just four hits in a 2-0 Hagerstown loss to Augusta. Meyer walked just two and struck out eight but gave up both runs on seven hits. The Suns best chance to score came in the third when Cutter Dykstra and Billy Burns drew back-to-back walks, then executed a double steal. The next three batters went down by way of the K, as the Suns would strand 12 runners total while going 0-for-12 with RISP.

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