Friday’s News & Notes
An 0-for-3 night for the Nats affiliates
The Quick Rundown…
| Team | Yesterday’s Result | Today’s Game | Pitching Matchup |
| Syracuse Chiefs | Lost, 4-1 | vs. Durham 7:00 p.m. | Ross Detwiler (2-2, 4.64) vs. Brian Baker (1-2 4.70) |
| Harrisburg Senators | Lost, 6-3 (11 inn.) | @ Richmond, 7:05 p.m. | Brad Peacock (4-1, 2.29) vs. Justin Fitzgerald (2-2, 3.99) |
| Potomac Nationals | OFF DAY | vs. Wilmington, 7:05 p.m. | Cameron Selik (0-1, 3.00) vs. Tim Melville (2-4, 5.17) |
| Hagerstown Suns | Lost, 6-3 | @ Lakewood 7:05 p.m. | A.J. Cole (0-1, 4.91) vs. Jesse Biddle (1-4, 5.47) |
Norfolk 4 Syracuse 1
• Maya (L, 1-3) 7⅓ IP 7H 4R 3ER 1BB 3K 1HR
• Mandel ⅔ IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K
• McConnell 2-3, R, BB, SB
• Brown 1-3, BB
It may be mean, but the reversion to it was apparent in Norfolk as the Tides rolled over the Chiefs, 4-1. Syracuse starter Yunesky Maya pitched well enough to win, going seven and 1/3rd innings with four runs allowed on seven hits and a walk, but the offense stranded 10 baserunners and was 0-for-8 with RISP. Chris McConnell led the hitters with a 2-for-3 effort, including a walk and a stolen base.
Richmond 6 Harrisburg 3 (11 inn.)
• Tatusko (ND) 4⅔ IP 6H 2R 1ER 2BB 3K
• Pena 2⅓ IP 2H 0R 0BB 4K
• Mattheus (L, 2-1) 1⅔ IP 4H 3R 3ER 1BB 2K 1HR
• Rahl 4-4, BB
• Norris 2-5, 2R, SB
As is often the case, when the bullpen is driven like rental, it’s going to break down, as Ryan Mattheus served up a three-run walkoff with two outs in the 11th for a 6-3 Sens loss. Starter Ryan Tatusko improved from his last outing, but couldn’t get out of the fifth, allowing two runs on six hits over four and 2/3rds. Carlos Martinez, Cory VanAllen, and Hassan Pena held Richmond to just one run over the next four and a 1/3rd to enable the Sens to eventually tie it in the eighth on a throwing error as Derek Norris and Archie Gilbert executed a double steal and Norris scampered in with the 3rd Harrisburg run. Chris Rahl had a career night, reaching base five times in five PAs with a walk and four singles.
Potomac — OFF DAY
The P-Nats return home for yet another mini-homestand of three games against first-place Wilmington, with Cameron Selik set to make his first Pfitz start. Naturally, there is rain in the forecast for each game.
Delmarva 6 Hagerstown 3
• Grace (L, 3-4) 4⅓ IP 7H 4R 3ER 2BB 3K
• Freitas 2-3, 2B, BB, 2RBI
• Sanchez 2-5, R, 2B
• Harper 1-3, R, BB, SB
Bryce Harper extended his hit streak to 16 with a third-inning single, but the Suns dropped the series finale to the Shorebirds, 6-3. Matt Grace went the first four and 1/3rd innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks and striking out three. Matt Swynenberg and Sam Brown followed from the bullpen but neither was particularly effective, each giving up a run over the finals four and 2/3rds. David Freitas and Adrian Sanchez both singled and doubled to lead the seven-hit offensive output, six of which came from the top four batters.
Hope the weather is good enough to get in a game tonight; Looking forward to seeing what Selik brings to the table.
I am tired of being last in the majors in batting average and OBP. Maya pitches well and loses beacuse there is no offense in Syracuse. There is not even any hope of bringing a guy up from AAA as there are no position players that can help at the big league level.
I want Jose Reyes. I hear the Mets are looking to break up at least 2/3 of the Beltran/Reyes/Wright core, and they are desperate for pitchers. With all our pitching prospects what do you think it would take to get this done? I’d trade Detwiler, Balester, Arnesen, and Van Allen for Reyes; two lefties, two righties, two AAA, two AA, two starters, two relievers. Do you think something like that could do it?
I have no desire for Reyes. He’s going to cost a bundle of money to keep him through the Nats compete window, and he’s an injury risk. Soriano looked divine during his walk year. He’s been more miss than hit since.
There is hope of bringing up a guy from low A…..
Don’t. Drink. The Kool. Aid.
I’ve been away for a minute. What’s the current state of my man Derek Norris. Nice to see that he had a decent line last night. I thought he’d be all-star offensive material with the bat in the Eastern League. Doesn’t look like that’s the case yet from the last time I checked his stats.
Norris started showing signs of life at the plate this week. Think his numbers will start to go up soon.
In the last week, it appears like he’s changed his philosophy at the plate and he’s being MUCH more aggressive instead of taking 2/3 of the pitches he sees.
And slowly, it’s turning to the good for him. Tuesday night, he turned on a pitch and ripped a double down the third-base line and then later went opposite field for a single. Those two at-bats alone were some of the best I’ve seen from him this year.
You are aware that Omar Minaya was fired, right?
Boy, talk about buzzards luck. the PNats finally get a home series and tonight looks to be the only game with a better than 50/50 chance of getting the game in.
To all the Potomac STH’s, it’s mandatory to give a detailed field condition update as that is the ‘crisis point’ for the franchise these days.
I’m dying to hear what everyone says about Cameron Selik.
Adrian Sanchez looks to have his ‘sea legs’ now after a rough start. Hope they keep him in the #2 spot for awhile.
Sue, I figured after King went to Harrisburg, it was a natural for Kelso to take his 3rd base spot at Potomac. I thought these moves would have been made in sync around June 1.
Gave one last homestand, but I can understand how the shrieking from the Chicken Littles may still be ringing in your ears. I do have children, after all.
A.J. Cole will make is second start tonight for Hagerstown.
http://www.masnsports.com/byron_kerr/2011/05/suns-cole-ready-for-second-start-tonight-against-lakewood.html
It was “TBD” this a.m. and Kerr’s story showed up in my RSS feed after I’d published. Fixed it now.
Mark L,
I was at Potomac May 2nd and the field looked immaculate. It was clear they had resodded parts of the outfield. Given the patterns of the new sod, I’m guessing they put in some “French Drains in RF.” Although that is pure speculation. The field was beautiful though and I don’t see any reason why this field wouldn’t take a light rain.
Thanks, but I don’t know what a ‘French Drain is. Honestly, I just don’t know.
Mark L: Imagine a trench or series of trenches crossing the outfield, sloping away from the field. Lay perforated pipe and/or riverstone into those trenches & cover them with sand & sod. That is a French Drain. They work to take standing water away from an area of concern (usually around the foundation of a building).
Thanks, BinM, I actually dug those working construction in High School, during the Neolithic Age, but didn’t know they had a name. 🙂