Monday’s News & Notes
Two losses on Easter Sunday for the Nats affiliates
The Quick Rundown…
| Team | Yesterday’s Result | Today’s Game | Pitching Matchup |
| Syracuse Chiefs | Lost, 3-2 | @ Scranton-W/B, 1:05 p.m. | Ross Detwiler (2-0, 2.50) vs. David Phelps (1-2, 5.51) |
| Harrisburg Senators | OFF DAY | vs. Altoona, 7:00 p.m. | Erik Davis (0-0, 1.86) vs. Jeff Locke (0-2, 2.30) |
| Potomac Nationals | Lost, 11-4 | @ Myrtle Beach, 7:05 p.m. | Paul Demny (0-1, 4.66) vs. Robbie Erlin (1-0, 4.20) |
| Hagerstown Suns | OFF DAY | @ West Virginia, 7:05 p.m. | Cameron Selik (1-0, 0.00) vs. Zack Dodson (1-1, 4.85) |
Scranton/WB 3 Syracuse 2
∙ Maya 7IP 3H 3R 3ER 0BB 9K 1HR
∙ Kimball 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K
∙ Bernadina 1-4, R, 2B
∙ Bynum 1-3, R, HR, 2RBI
Despite an early first inning 2-0 lead, thanks to Seth Bynum’s second homerun of the season, the Yankees were able to fight back, scoring two runs in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth to win the game by a score of 3-2. Starting pitcher Yunesky Maya was perfect through three and 2/3rds, but took his second loss, pitching seven complete innings, allowing three runs on three hits. Impressively, he had good command of the strike zone, walking none and striking out nine. Kimball pitching a perfect inning of scoreless relief without allowing a Yankee player to reach base.
Harrisburg Senators — OFF DAY
The Senators had an off day but will continue their homestand today with the first game of a four-game series against the Altoona Curve. The Senators’ three-game winning streak has put them atop the Eastern League Western division with an 8-7 record and a ½ game lead over Bowie.
Salem 11 Potomac 4
∙ Caldera (L, 0-1) 2IP 5H 5R 5ER 1BB 3K 2HR
∙ Bronson 3IP 1H 0R 0ER 3BB 2K
∙ Lozada 2-4, R, RBI
∙ Kobernus 0-2, BB, RBI, 2SB
Spot starter Alex Caldera’s struggles continued with yet another multi-run appearance as the journeyman was blasted for five runs on five hits over two-plus innings in an 11-4 Potomac loss to Salem. His ERA stands at 16.71 with 5HRs, 16 hits, and 13 runs given up in seven innings over three appearances. Potomac’s offense was only marginally better, held to just six hits and two walks with six runners left on base.
Hagerstown Suns — OFF DAY
After a losing homestand (4-5), Hagerstown takes to the road for the second time this season with five against the West Virginia Power and four against the Rome Braves. The Suns were 6-2 in the first road trip and are now 10-7, tied for third place, 2½ games behind Kannapolis in the Sally League Northern division.
Very nice to see Maya with some good process bad result. Ultimately, his quality is more important to me than a ‘Cuse win or loss, although I’d be even happier with a vic.
Are we believers in Kobernus? What’s the current status of the stadium situation in Potomac?
Interested in your take on Koburnus and Hood so far in Potomac.
I really don’t have one yet because I’ve been to three full games and part of a fourth, with four games lost to rain. That said, I picked on Hood as an “interesting” because the patience he’s shown is both welcome and unexpected. Kobernus has been tagged as fragile by our Hagerstown spies, so he’s simply going to not get hurt to erase that.
I really like what I’m seeing from Hood. This is the maturation process that I’ve been waiting for. Knowing balls from strikes comes first the power will come when he ages and fills out. Both Perez and Ramirez had better seasons last year but I still think Hood has the most upside of the three it just depends how he develops and so far this year it looks good. Not sure if he has gotten any better in the field.
As far as Hood, intuition appears to speak to the possibility of a “Bryce Harper effect” up and down the minor league system. Hood generally plays right field. There is the trade of up-and-coming right fielder Michael Burgess … and if the Groovin’ Aruban could learn to play the outfield and not just DH as has regularly been the case?
One big advantage to starting Bryce Harper lower in the system may be to introduce the right kind of “energy” laced with just the right amount of “urgency” to a system that has been bereft of good talent in the younger age ranges.
I guess they signed Tug Hulett to replace Bixler in Syracuse. After a great performance by Yuniesky Maya … here comes Detwiler with another sterling performance on tap.
Two doubles and Flores just threw out a PR stealing in the bottom of the ninth. So, Jesus Flores bat is awake, alive and well. And perhaps the arm troubles are a thing of the past eh Ben?