Monday’s News & Notes
The A teams win, AA and AAA lose.
The Quick Rundown…
| Team | Yesterday’s Result | Today’s Game | Pitching Matchup |
| Syracuse Chiefs | Lost, 4-0 | @ Norfolk, 7:15 p.m. | Brad Meyers (AAA debut) vs. TBD |
| Harrisburg Senators | Lost, 15-6 | vs. Altoona, 7:00 p.m. | Erik Arnesen (1-0, 3.00) vs. Michael Colla (1-1, 4.00) |
| Potomac Nationals | Won, 2-1 (11 inn.) | @ Winston-Salem, 7:00 p.m. | Mitchell Clegg (1-2, 6.98) vs. Joe Serafin (0-2, 5.57) |
| Hagerstown Suns | Won, 12-11 | vs. Delmarva, 6:35 p.m. | Robbie Ray (Low-A Debut) vs. Tim Berry (0-1, 5.95) |
Durham 4 Syracuse 0
• Detwiler 6IP 6H 4R 4ER 3BB 6K
• Mandel 2IP 1H 0R 1BB 3K
• Hulett 1-4
• Flores 1-3
The Chiefs mustered just two hits in the final game of the series against Durham as they went on to lose by a score of 4-0, completing the four-game sweep. Starting pitcher Ross Detwiler took the loss, pitching six complete innings, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six. Mandel pitched in relief, pitching two innings, allowing only one hit and one walk. Both of Syracuse’s hits were singles, one by Tug Hulett, the other by Jesus Flores. With 10 strikeouts on Sunday, the Syracuse batters whiffed 41 times for the series.
Reading 15 Harrisburg 6
• Peacock (ND) 4⅓ IP 6H 5R 5ER 2BB 6K
• Chico (L, 0-1) 1⅔ 4H 6R 2ER 1BB 2K 1HR
• Martinez 2IP 5H 4R 4EFR 0BB 2K 1HR
• VanAllen 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K
• Gilbert 3-4, 2R, 2HR, 2RBI
• King 2-4, 2B
• Moore 1-4, 2R, HR, RBI
The brooms were also out in the ‘Burg as Reading picked up where they left off on Saturday night and pummeled Harrisburg, 15-6. Senators’ ace Brad Peacock retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced before the wheels spun off in a five-run fifth that turned a 4-0 lead into a 5-4 deficit. Neither Matt Chico nor Carlos Martinez could stop the bleeding as the Phillies piled on six more in the sixth and four more in the eighth. Archie Gilbert also repeated his Saturday night with a single and another two HRs, while Steven King singled and doubled.
Potomac 2 Kinston 1 (11 inn.)
• Rosenbaum (ND) 7IP 6H 1R 1ER 1BB 7K
• Smoker 2IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K
• Lehman (S, 7) 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K
• Hood 2-5, R, 2B, SB
• Bloxom 1-3, 2BB, RBI
A first-inning run broke a 16-inning scoreless streak for Potomac, but it took some stellar pitching to survive the next nine-inning drought as the P-Nats prevailed in extras, 2-1 to salvage one game of the four-game series. Starter Danny Rosenbaum lowered his ERA to 1.98 with one run allowed on six hits and a walk over seven innings, striking out seven along the way. Marcos Frias got the win in relief while Pat Lehman tied for the Carolina League lead with his 7th save. Destin Hood led the offense with a 2-for-5 game, with a double and a stolen base.
Hagerstown 12 Lexington 11
• McKenzie 2IP 7H 7R 7ER 2BB 3K
• Applenee (W, 2-1) 4IP 4H 2R 1ER 0BB 3K 1HR
• Manno 2IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K
• Kelso 1-3, 3R, HR, 2BB, 4RBI
• Leonida 2-3, 2R
• Sanchez 2-4, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI
• Harper 2-5, 2B, RBI
This game was certainly not a pitcher’s duel as eighteen runs were collectively scored between the two teams during the first three innings. Starting pitcher Chris McKenzie lasted only two innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three. Paul Applebee took over in relief, earned his second win of the year, pitching four complete innings allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out three. Only one Suns’ player ended the game without a hit, Randolph Oduber, while Cole Leonida, Adrian Sanchez and Bryce Harper (hitting streak now 12 games) combined to go 6-for-12 with five runs, two doubles and two RBIs. Blake Kelso also went 1-for-3, with three runs scored and a grand slam.
How much longer will the organization hang on to Chris McKenzie, seems like he needs to at least be sent to Viera to work on his mechanics because something is not working!
@markfd: I had wondered the same thing. Hagerstown will be over-roster limits with the activation of Robbie Ray, so something needs to give.
guys it looks like Smoker has found his niche
Looks like Maya may be moving up ahead of Detwiler in the starting rotation pecking order. It would be nice if BOTH of them would start pitching well before Marquis gets traded and either Lannan or Livo implode completely.
I think you are right on the money about Maya, but I think the last call would be who totally implodes first, a lefty or a righty. My money is on Lannan, but eventually Marquis will likely be traded and if Lannan falters, he might get the axe for some low level prospects. This puts both Maya and Detwiler in the rotation. It seems that the Syracuse defense plays better for Maya then Det, and I think a healthy defense in the bigs would aid both of them in their development.
Was at the game yesterday and McKenzie was horrid, but hey – so was the other starting pitcher. 🙂 Applebee was super, and his innings were quickly pitched and with good command/control. Oduber is starting to look sort of clueless at the plate. I’m not sure what’s going on there but he’s really got to take a step back and take a big breath before stepping in the box. Kelso is an absolute fan favorite right now as he’s personable, likeable, makes good plays and is hitting/running with energy.
Minions?? Manno is doing great – I might have to jump on the wagon. He surely has a strange hitch in his delivery and wonder if that needs to be overcome at some point.
I am the most disappointed in Martinson at short – 11 errors to match his jersey number. It’s like Souza was shoved over to short. LOL
Thanks, TBRFan, for the live update. It’s good to see Kelso is still mashing and, by the way, welcome to the Manno bandwagon.
TBRF was there also. You are correct starting pitching just had one of those days. Martinson has a tendency to curl his glove as the ball is coming(easy fix) . Applebee really helped this team yesterday , but the most I am impressed with is Manno. All kidding aside about the Minions . This was a slug fest yesterday and no pitcher was safe . Manno comes in and 123 in the 8th 123 in the 9th . And please coaches do not get rid of the hitch, as long as the arm is not stressed it will serve him well
great job hagerstown and great job Manno
Maya just pitched on Saturday. I doubt they will let him go again so soon? Has to be Bradley Meyers? I guess?
Yup. I believe the techies call that a PEBCAK. Fixed it, along with some revisions since this morning.
Getting near draft time. I’m curious who you would pick first. If he were still available at 6, I’d choose George Springer. Then, at 23 and 34, the two best pitchers still on the board.
Sickels just posted his guess at the first round including the supplemental for those interested:
First Round: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/5/9/2159387/2011-baseball-mock-draft-first-round#storyjump
Supplemental Round: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/5/9/2159407/2011-baseball-mock-draft-supplemental-round#storyjump
He has us taking Bauer and Jungmann in the first round and a prep OF named Dwight Smith in the supplemental round. Think most of Nats Town would be happy with that we’d have a chance to get Bradley/Purke in the Supplemental Round. With our lack of a CF in the system(Perez is far away and has struggled this year) I don’t think Rizzo would let Bradley slip by.
Rizzo has been trying to fill that position (CF) through trade. Consider, the outfield will be very crowded perhaps starting next year. If Harper manages, (This isn’t athleticism folks this is pure, raw undeniable desire; yes, still mind boggling amazing nonetheless!) to get to the majors nothing will stop him short of injury. He seems like he is going to be the “Nothing stops the Hulk” kind of player. He plays everyday as does Werth. Both can play CF but the team is best served if they play the corners.
Enter BJ Upton. Everyone thinks TB wants to unload him and all he is doing is helping to lead the Rays to another division win over the over-priced, and over-touted Yankees … but the amazing part is that Boston is in that mix. Its not like Upton has the Phillies lineup around him that Werth had. The problem is he is arbitration eligible in 2012 and not a free agent until 2013.
Either way I think Rizzo picks up a CF from outside the organization. A young one probably a lot like Upton and for 2012 if something doesn’t appear in 2011 that looks like a long-term solution. Corey Brown needs to get after it!
With Lombardozzi likely on his way (another stubborn, nothing stops the Hulk, type player) the MIF is crowded with Lombardozzi, Espinosa, Desmond … a pretty darned good MI was traded for a low A pitcher in order to keep guys like Alex Cora and Jerry Hairston? Gonzalez is so much more talented than those two … But they are the type of low achieving veteran Riggleman seems to love having on his benches. That I think has to change and probably will after this year one way or the other.
The corners are locked up Zimmerman, LaRoche, and Marerro. Then I can’t see the Lerners NOT going whole hog and then some for Albert Pujols. They did it for Texiera? They could also target Chris Carpenter.
So, it sure looks like pitching to me. Hardest commodity to come by seems to be top of the rotation starting pitching. Have to believe that will continue to be the overriding focus of their board when the Nats pick higher in the rounds instead of lower if they start improving their record.
@peric: An interesting pipe-dream sequence (BJ Upton & Pujols for the lineup, plus Carpenter for the rotation) for 2012 – So now we know what you want for Christmas. The probability is more like the Nationals being in the hunt for one of those, if any at all. Ease off the dosage, and come back to reality.
Centerfield has been a hole (either offensively, defensively, or both) since the Nationals came to DC, & drafted/IFA players like Perez & Taylor could provide a future, albeit a year or three away; Brown may become an interim solution, but I have my doubts. This will continue to be a problem in the short-term, at the very least.
There is some system depth currently building at CA, 2B, SP, RP, 1B, and possibly SS (if Martinson & Sanchez learn how to field consistently). Some of them could be used as trade bait, either this year or next to secure viable players for the big show, but it comes with a possible cost. The Capps-Ramos trade from last year jumps to mind (from Minnesota’s POV), as they are now struggling behind the plate with Mauer injured.
Let’s see what Rizzo can do in this years’ draft, and with moving some of the veteran pieces currently on the roster for prospects between now & August before we get too carried away regarding 2012 (and beyond) for the big club.
Hey guys I was at the Hagerstown game today Monday Night . I loved the lefty Robbie Ray very good poise. I also had the chance to meet three players . I met Harper(very Nice and very strong) I met The cathcer Frietas, who was very quiet, and finally got to meet Manno. He introduced himself as Chris, and he was talkative and very very nice with kids and myself. He really is a nice young man.
with Harper, Cole and Ray on the roster the Suns games will be the place to be in May. not to mention the Kelso, Manno, Frietas and Oduber storylines, all very interesting. sounds like a road trip to Western MD is in my future.
I second that emotion! So many great stories in Hagerstown and we haven’t even seen A.J Cole’s A game yet.
That Ray kid’s not too shabby for a 12th rounder.