Thursday’s News and Notes

The Quick Rundown…

Syracuse Chiefs L, 8-2 vs. Pawtucket
Starting Pitcher: Atilano (L, 2-1) 2⅓ IP 7H 5R 5ER 3BB
Pitching Star: Balester 1IP 0H 0ER 0BB 1K
Hitting Star #1: Davis 3-4, 2B, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Whiting 1-3, 2BB
Notes:  Although he was impressive in his other starts, Luis Atliano did not have the same command as he earned his first AAA loss of the season, lasting only 2 1/3 innings, allowing 5 runs off seven hits and three walks. Pawtucket would later score another three runs, winning by a score of 8-2. Arnesen also had a rough game, lasting just 3⅔ innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) off 4 hits. He did, however, have an impressive K/BB ratio, as he struck out 3, while walking none. The offensive star of the game was Leonard Davis, who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

Harrisburg Senators W, 9-7 vs. Altoona
Starting Pitcher: Thompson 6IP 5H 3R 3ER 1BB 3K 1HR
Pitching Un-Star: Kimball (BS, 3) 1IP 2H 3R 3ER 2BB 0K 1HR
Pitching Star: Zinicola (W, 2-3) 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K
Hitting Star #1: Valdez 3-5, 2R, BB, 2HR, 6RBI
Hitting Star #2: Lowrance 2-3, 3R, 2BB
Notes:  The Senators got to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and scored two more in the third inning thanks to a home run by Jesus Valdez to take an early 5-0 lead. However, after Thomspson gave up 3 runs in the sixth inning, Cole Kimball came into the game, and unfortunately, could not hold on to the win either, as he also allowed three runs in just one inning. Altoona took a 7-5 lead to the bottom of the ninth. However, the Sens fought back to score four runs to win the game. It began with a Chris Marrero walk, a Brad Coon single, then a wild pitch that put both runners in scoring position, Danny Espinosa then hit a sac fly to plate Marrero to make it 7-6. Marvin Lowrance then walked ahead of Valdez’s second home run, a three-run shot that gave the Senators an exciting walkoff win homered for the second time in the game, his seventh of the year, which scored three and gave the Senators a very exciting walk-off win at 9-7.

Potomac Nationals W, 5-1 vs. Kinston
Starting Pitcher: Morris (W, 2-2) 5IP 2H 0R 0BB 5K
Pitching Star: Leatherman (SV, 9) 1⅓ IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K
Hitting Star #1: Moore 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, BB, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Johnson 2-4, R, 2-2B, RBI
Notes: An antsy eight-year-old allowed Sue just two innings in Woodbridge, but here what she saw from A.J. Morris, who evened his Potomac record at 2-2 with five scoreless innings: “Much better control, a little more velocity. Better separation between fastball and breaking pitches. Hence, Morris striking out the side in the first.”

Hagerstown Suns L, 9-6 vs. Rome
Starting Pitcher: Demny (L, 6-3) 4⅓ IP 6H 6R 6ER 2BB 5K 1HR
Pitching Star: Arnold 1⅔ IP 2H 0R 0BB 2K
Hitting Star #1: Bloxom  3-4, R, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Newsom 2-4, 2RBI
Hitting Star #3: Kobernus 2-4, 2R, SB
Notes: The Suns got down early as Rome scored four runs in the top of the 1^st , Hagerstown could only answer with one run in the bottom of the inning. In the 3^rd the Suns scored four runs to take the lead 5-4, unfortunately that lead was short-lived as Rome scored two runs in the 5^th, and another two in the 7^th to go up 8-5. The Suns were able to score 1 in the bottom of the 7^th but that was all they could do in this one as Rome scored more In the 8^th to take this one 9-6. Starter Paul Demny went 4⅓ innings giving up six hits (one home run), six runs (all earned) and 2 walks with the loss.

Vermont Lake Monsters W, 7-6 vs. Aberdeen
Starting Pitcher: McKenzie 3⅔ IP 5H 5R 2ER 1BB 5K
Pitching Star: Barrett 2IP 2H 0R 0BB 4K
Hitting Star #1: Freitas 3-5, 2B, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Moldenhauer 2-3, BB, 2RBI
Hitting Star #3: Moore 2-4, 2R, SB, RBI
Notes: Vermont began the scoring in the bottom of the 1^st with one run, while Aberdeen came back in the 3^rd with 1 of their own. Aberdeen then scored 4 more runs in the top of the 4^th to make it 5-1. But the Lake Monsters wouldn’t give up, scoring single runs in the 4^th and 5^th innings to whittle the lead down to 5-3. Vermont then reclaimed the lead in the 6^th with three runs scored, making it 6-5. In the top of the 9^th Aberdeen squared things up at 6-6 which made it look like extras, but the IronBirds handed it right back to Vermont in the bottom half of the inning. A single by Wade Moore and a hit batsmen set up first-and-second with nobody out. An error on the ensuing sacrifice by Connor Row sent home Moore for the 7-6 tally. Christopher McKenzie started the game and went 3⅔ innings and allowed five runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five.

GCL Nationals — OFF DAY
Notes: The GCL Nationals, in last place at 7-13, resume play on the road in Jupiter against the second-place GCL Cardinals before finishing the week at home versus the third-place GCL Mets.

DSL Nationals L, 11-3 vs. DSL Mets1
Starting Pitcher: Silvio Medina (L, 2-3) ⅓ IP 5H 6R 6ER 1BB 0K
Pitching Star: Luis Matos 2IP 1H 0R 2BB 1K
Hitting Star: Jean Valdez 2-4, R, BB, RBI
Notes: Starting pitcher Silvio Medina could get out of the first inning, as the DSL Mets1 squad smacked him around for six runs on five hits and a walk. He left with two on but the bullpen didn’t add to his misery (i.e. that damage was all his doing). Wander Suero, Jorge De La Cruz, Dennis Lellis followed Medina and the trio were just as ineffective, allowing eight more hits, five more runs, and issuing four more walks. Offensively, Jean Valdez led the seven-hit effort with two singles, a walk, and an RBI.