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Monday’s News & Notes

Nats affiliates take three out of seven on doubleheader-laden Sunday

The Quick Rundown…

Team Yesterday’s Result Today’s Game Pitching Matchup
Syracuse Chiefs Lost, 10-6
(called, T9, Rain)		 @ Pawtucket 6:15 p.m. J.D. Martin (0-0, 0.00) vs.
Matt Fox (1-1, 5.63)
Harrisburg Senators Lost 8-0; Won 8-2 @ Altoona, 7:05 p.m. Brad Meyers (1-1, 3.71) vs.
Jeff Locke (0-2, 1.93)
Potomac Nationals Lost, 6-0; Lost, 6-5 @ Frederick, 1:05 p.m. Paul Demny (0-0, 1.59) vs.
Jacob Rasner (1-0, 0.00)
Hagerstown Suns Won, 5-1; Won, 8-3 vs. Lakewood, 10:35 a.m. Cameron Selik (1-0, 0.00) vs.
Ervis Manzanillo (0-1, 31.50)

Lehigh Valley 10 Syracuse 6
∙ Stammen 6⅔ IP 5H 3R 3ER 2BB 6K
∙ Carr ⅔ IP 5H 5R 1BB 1K 2HR
∙ Hyde ⅓ IP 2H 2ER 3BB
∙ Marrero 3-3, 3R, 2HR, 3RBI, BB
∙ Frazier 2-4 , 2B, 2RBI
∙ Bernadina 0-4, 3K

The Syracuse Chiefs were able to get on the board early thanks to two HRs by Chris Marrero, building an early 5-2 lead after five innings. But the relief pitching  faltered badly, allowing LehighValley to score two runs in the seventh and six runs in the eighth to overcome the deficit and grab a 10-5 lead. While the Chiefs tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth as Boomer Whiting doubled in Alex Valdez, it would not be enough as the Chiefs lost by a score of 10-6; the game called with two outs in the top of the ninth due to rain. Starting pitcher Craig Stammen had a good outing, pitching 6 and 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six.

Trenton 8 Harrisburg 0 — GAME ONE
∙ Artilano (L, 0-1). 1IP 8H 7ER 1BB 1K
∙ Arnesen 5IP 5H 1ER 0BB 4K
∙ Moore 1-2, BB
∙ Rhinehart 0-3, 2K

With Kevin Millwood on the mound, the Harrisburg Senators expected the game to be tough, but perhaps not a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Tyler Moore’s single broke up the no-no, but that would be all for the Senators in the hit column. Conversely, Luis Atilano could only retire three of the twelve batters he faced in his inning-plus outing, as Trenton plastered him for eight his and a walk to take a 7-0 lead after two innngs. Erik Arnesen would finish the game in relief pitching the remaining five innings and allowing a run off of five hits and a walk.

Harrisburg 8 Trenton 2 — GAME TWO
∙ Peacock, Brad (W, 1-1) 5IP 2H 2R 1ER 1BB 9K
∙ Mattheus 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K
∙ Tucker 2-4, R, 2B, 3B, 2RBI
∙ Peacock, Bri. 2-4, R, 2B, RBI
∙ Fox 2-4, RBI

After being shut out on one hit in the first game of the doubleheader, Harrisburg came back with a vengeance, scoring eight runs on 12 hits
runs to defeat Trenton by a score of 8-2. Starting pitcher Brad Peacock got his first win of the season pitching five fantastic innings, allowing two runs (one earned) run off two hits and a walk, while striking out an impressive nine batters. It was a team effort as every player got on base while the
only player without a hit was Archie Gilbert and the only player that did not score a run was Adam Fox, though he did get two hits and an RBI. Jonathan Tucker led the offense with double, a triple, a run scored and 2 RBI.

Wilmington 6 Potomac 0 — GAME ONE
· Holder (L, 0-1) 5⅔ IP 8H 6R 6ER 0BB 4K 1HR
· Smoker ⅓ IP 1H 0R 1BB 0K 2-1 IR-S
· King 1-3, 2B
· Ramirez 1-3, SB

Wilmington’s pitchers silenced the Potomac bats, holding them to just three hits and striking them out 10 times as the Blue Rocks bludgeoned the P-Nats, 7-0 in the first game. Starter Trevor Holder was charged with all six runs, allowing eight hits (including a solo HR) over 5 and 2/3rd innings. J.P. Ramirez and Francisco Soriano both singled while Destin Hood walked and Stephen King doubled to account for the four Potomac baserunners.

Wilmington 6 Potomac 5 — GAME TWO
· Caldera (ND) 3IP 5H 4R 4ER 2BB 2K 2HR
· Martinez (L, 0-2) 1IP 2H 2R 2ER 0BB 0K
· Demmin 1⅔ IP 1H 0R 2BB 1K
· Lozada 2-3, R, CS
· Kobernus 1-3, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI
· Curran 1-2, R, 2SB, CS

Potomac jumped out to an early 4-2 lead with a pair of two-run innings in the first and second innings, taking advantage of Wilmington miscues and stealing three bases, include home plate by Chris Curran in the 2nd. Veteran pitchers Alex Caldera and Carlos Martinez continue to disappoint, with the starter Caldera chased with no outs in the fourth after allowing a home run and a walk, finishing with four runs allowed on five hits over three-plus, and reliever Martinez charged with two runs on two hits as the Blue Rocks turned a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. The P-Nats crept within one with a run in the fith, but double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings killed any hopes of tying the game, as the P-Nats would be swept in the doubleheader and swept in the series.

According to MiLB.com, on Friday Rick Hague was placed on the 7-Day DL, replaced by Jose Lozada who was assigned from XST. Potomac’s three-day road trip was extended to 17 days when the Pfitz playing field was deemed unplayable for this week’s scheduled Mon-Wed series, which will be held in Frederick instead with each game starting at 1:05 p.m. and $5 GA tickets.

Hagerstown 5 Lakewood 1 — GAME ONE
· Bobby Hansen 6IP 5H 1R 0ER 4BB 4K
· Ben Graham 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K
· Kelso 2-3, R, RBI
· Oduber 1-3, R, HR, 2RBI
· Harper 1-3, R, RBI, 2K

The Suns four-run third was more than enough to support another solid pitching performance as Bobby Hansen threw six strong innings to lead the Suns to a 5-1 win in the first game. Randolph Oduber’s two-run HR was the inning’s highlight, which also included an RBI single by Bryce Harper. Mills Rogers and Michael Taylor each stole a base.

Hagerstown 8 Lakewood 3 &mash; GAME TWO
· Jordan (W, 3-0) 6IP 5H 3R 3ER 1BB 1K 1HR
· Brown 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K
· Oduber 4-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI, SB
· Freitas 1-3, R, HR, RBI
· Harper 1-3, R, BB, RBI, SB

Randolph Oduber was one-man wrecking crew, going deep for the second time on the day and finishing the game 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, his sixth on the season. Hagerstown would score in each of the first three innings. Starter Taylor Jordan got the win with six innings pitched, three runs allowed on five hits and a walk, while striking out one and allowing a solo HR.

22 Commments

  1. What an indictment of the way things are being run at the Pfitz, when higher authorities have to come and tell you you’re not even qualified to host regularly scheduled games. At a facility you’ve owned for YEARS!

    An another more positive note — break up the Suns!
    The ‘Groovin’ Aruban’ looks headed to Potomac sooner rather than later, with Manno too.

    Thanks, April, you had a lot to digest this morning.

    1. Mark L, as much as I like to bash Silber, he does not own the stadium it is owned by PW County, he just uses it to run around like a clown, coaching 1st base which is a travesty. One day he will realize that he is not the product and that noone cares whether he shows up or not. When MiLB pulls his franchise from him he will be found wandering along
      I-95 mumbling incoherently about Jackie Robinson and how much he is worth.

      1. Easy Bill; He only pulls that 1B coach crap on opening night – otherwise, he seems fairly non-intrusive in the daily operations.

        As a STH at the Phitz, I have concerns about the playability of the field, and hope that Prince William County (owner), Silber & the P-Nats (lease holder) & the parent club (franchise holder), can make the proper repairs over the next 2+ weeks to render the outfield playable. I’d be dissapointed to see the orginization move a team that has produced three League championships in four years over a field maintenance issue.

        1. Only on opening day? Clearly you have not been in the disgusting presence of that buffoon very often. His fables about walking to the stadium with Jackie Robinson and playing stickball with Duke Snider, his hollow promises about building a new stadium, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stories about that clown could go on for hours. He thinks people come to the stadium to see him coach – he is the product. There is ZERO defense of that walking joke. And now he has finally brought well deserved disgrace to Potomac with his ineptitude. The stadium is a dump, and now it is official. Potomac will never improve until he goes. May he sink in the swamp that is right field.

      2. Have to admit, I laughed out loud at this one. Very funny, and to paraphrase a famous quote, I know funny.

  2. ok leaving Hagerstown today after early game, but some notes from the last few days
    one Bryce Harper is going to be fine, trust me gang he can hit and is becoming a better fielder every day. Very nice catch in game 1 of the DH. Bobby Hanson looked great kept the ball down , and got out of trouble in the 5th. Oduber to me looks like he is about to break out and go crazy. He hit a oppo HR in Game one and followed it with a bomb in game two. I love Martinson at short and Kelso at third and Sanchez. I think it could very well be the best infield in the league. Catching is simply solid with Frietas and Leonaida . and our bull pen with Graham, Brown,and Manno are very good. Listen our bats have not been hot but when this team hits, it is a very difficult team to beat

    1. Thanks, elliot. I can’t wait to get to Hagerstown myself in a few weeks.

      I read somewhere that a player will force a promotion within an organization when his OPS is above .900. After a slow start, Oduber’s at .904 while Harper is hitting .700.

      Not saying that Oduber is better, just that he’s going to force the issue very soon, even if BinM thinks he’s an ‘old fart’. 🙂

      1. Hey now, I resemble that remark. I’d be more than happy to see Oduber up with Potomac in May.

        My concern is that Sieber & Prince William County need to get the outfield in much better shape over the next two weeks; having MiLB step in & reschedule games is not a good thing, but will likely force the issue.

    2. They do seem very hungry … Freitas, Oduber, Harper, and Kelso plus Taylor in CF make for an interesting team positionally.

    3. I tend to agree with you – Hagerstown caught a lapfull of talented players to start the season. The question was if the pitching could play to level or above in the early going. So far, so good.

  4. To think that Atilano actually started somewhere north of 10 games for the big league club in 2010 didn’t he? That’s an atrocious line…..can’t see that heading anywhere positive fast.

    1. Atilano and Chico both seem very much like they need a change of scenery. It seems to have helped Marco Estrada?

      1. I think in Chico’s case it’s more about the shift in roles – He’s always been a starter, but now he’s being used as a LH specialist out of the bullpen. That’s a big change in a players’ mental outlook, and he’s clearly been slow to adapt.

        With Atilano (or any pitcher, for that matter), one game is an anomaly; if outings like the one on 4/17 pop up again on his next couple of appearances, then you might have a trend (ex.; see Martinez, Carlos – POT).

  5. In Hagerstown’s game today, the winning run was knocked in by Brett Newsome on a sac fly in the bottom of the ninth. He pinch hit for Harper???? Anybody know of any details, it’s more than a little odd unless there’s an injury at the root of it.

    1. Yeah….Newsome is hitting – Harper isn’t. 🙂

      All joking aside, i’m not really sure. But watching Harper force it at the plate the past few games makes me think it was the right move. I am VERY encouraged at the aggressive base running play shown by Daubach. This team is definitely going in the right direction. I can’t imagine when the bats warm up how this team is just going to come alive – unless they get players moved up early.

      I will say that the play at 1st base by a platoon of players has been amazing – scoops out of the dirt, etc. Those players have picked up short/third a few times already this season.

      It was surely an exciting game to watch. I’m glad that fielding error finallly went the Suns way instead of the other way around.

      1. When I was a kid, I thought a 10-9 game was exciting.

        Now that I’m, ahem, older, I agree more and more with the adage that a 1-0 game is always exciting. Every single at-bat is a potential game changer.

    2. No injury. Daubauch’s saying “manager’s decision,” and if I had to guess, it simply means he was sat down to send him a message.

  6. I got a chance to see Harper in the doubleheader.

    The fans were very excited about a catch he made in right field. I was on line getting a hot dog, but my son said it was an excellent diving catch.

    He played CF in the second game. He looked fine as an outfielder.

    After his second strikeout in the first game, it looked like he slammed his bat in the dugout. Then I saw him break it over his knee.

    Between the two games he was in the dugout by himself, rubbing something against a bat for about 10 minutes. it was strange he was there by himself when the other players had headed into a small building in right field. But he did eventually leave the dugout.

    They actually picked him off second in the first game but he went agressively to third and scored on a bad throw,

    The kid looks like he’s feeling the pressure. I’m wishing him the best.

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