NationalsProspects.com

Thursday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitcher
Syracuse Won, 7-6;
Won, 9-5		 vs. Buffalo,
7:00 p.m.		 Craig Stammen (8-3, 4.38) vs.
Pat Misch (4-5, 4.52)
Harrisburg Lost, 6-2 @ Richmond,
7:05 p.m.		 Erik Davis (5-4, 4.14) vs.
Daryl Maday (2-8, 4.63)
Potomac Lost, 3-1 OFF DAY N/A
Hagerstown Lost, 5-2 vs. Augusta,
5:05 p.m.		 Matt Swynenberg (2-0, 3.06)
and TBD vs.
Gaspar Santiago (3-3, 3.90) and
Justin Schumer (5-4, 4.66)
Auburn Won, 5-3 vs. Williamsport,
7:05 p.m.		 Wirkin Estevez (2-2, 4.88) vs.
Colin Kleven (2-1, 3.42)
GCL Nationals Won, 1-0
vs. GCL Mets		 vs. GCL Marlins,
12:00 p.m.		 Pedro Encarnacion (0-2, 14.73)
vs. Beau Wright (1-0, 3.77)
DSL Nationals Won, 7-5
@ DSL Marlins		 vs. DSL Braves,
10:30 a.m.		 Andy Santana (2-1, 1.69) vs.
Andry Ubiera (2-1, 3.00)

Syracuse 7 Buffalo 6 (8 inn.)
• Maya 5IP, 8H, 6ER, 3BB, K
• Zinicola 2IP, 0ER, BB, 2K
• Bixler 1-3, 2B, 2RBI, BB
• Hulett 2-4, R
• Marrero 1-3, 2R, BB (6G hitting streak)

Syracuse won the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against Buffalo 7-6 in an “extra” 8th inning. Yunesky Maya struggled in his start, giving up three runs early in the second. Syracuse quickly answered back with a five-run rally against former Nat Miguel Batista in the bottom half. Syracuse loaded the bases on back to back leadoff walks and a Tug Hulett single. Carlos Maldonado singled in two and later back-to-back two-out doubles by Gregor Blanco and Brian Bixler plated three more Chiefs. Syracuse scored an unearned run in the third to take a 6-3 lead, but Buffalo scored three more runs in the fifth off Maya on a single, two walks, a two-run double and a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6. The Chiefs bullpen was up to the task as Zech Zinicola and Jeff Mandel (W, 3-3) combined for three shutout innings. Syracuse finally managed to break the tie with an unearned run in the bottom of the 8th. Hulett reached second on a dropped pop out by Luis Hernandez and Corey Brown singled him in with two outs for the 7-6 win.

Syracuse 9 Buffalo 5
• JD Martin 3⅔ IP, 8H, 5ER, 0BB, 3K
• Tatusko (W, 2-1) 3⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Lombardozzi 3-3, R, 2B, 3RBI, BB
• JD Martin 2-2, R, 3B
• Solano 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI

Syracuse brought out the lumber in a 9-5 win over Buffalo to sweep the doubleheader. The Chiefs had nine runs on 13 hits and scored in each of the first five innings. Seven different Chiefs had hits, and Chris Marrero hit his twenty-first double to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Pitcher JD Martin even tripled and scored on a Steve Lombardozzi double in the second. In the bottom of the third, Seth Bynum hit a one-out homer and Lombardozzi had a two out, two RBI single to score Solano and Blanco and put the Chiefs up 6-0 after three innings. Buffalo, however, answered back with five runs of their own against starter JD Martin in the fourth. Ryan Tatusko came on to strand an inherited runner and pitch three and a 1/3rd innings of dominant relief, walking none and striking out four in one of his best outings as a Chief. Syracuse would go on to score two in the fourth and one in the fifth to put the game out of reach for a 9-5 victory. With the doubleheader sweep, the Chiefs have won four in a row to improve to 43-53, twelve games back of Lehigh Valley.

Bowie 6 Harrisburg 2
• Roark (L, 4-7) 5IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, BB, 7K, 3R HR
• Lehman 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Norris 2-3, 2R, 2BB
• T Moore 2-4, 2B, BB, RBI

Bowie would draw first blood with a three-run HR in the top of the first while the Senators couldn’t cash in numerous chances to score, losing the game, 6-2 and the series 2-1. Tanner Roark, who has now gone five straight starts without reaching the sixth or allowing fewer than four runs, took the loss with four runs allowed on seven hits and a walk despite striking out seven. The Sens would pull within two with single runs in the first (Chris Rahl RBI walk) and third (Tyler Moore RBI double) but were a woeful 2-for-13 with RISP and left on 12 men. Derek Norris went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored from the #2 hole and the DH spot in the lineup. The loss cuts the Harrisburg lead over Bowie to 3½ games, and 5½ over third-place Richmond. The Sens now embark on a critical nine-game road trip, with six this weekend in Richmond (doubleahaders on Friday and Saturday) and three next week in Bowie. Should Bryce Harper play in any of those games Bowie, it will be the first time a Nationals 1st-round draft pick has played in VA or MD within 50 miles of DC since Drew Storen pitched for Potomac in August 2009.

Lynchburg 3 Potomac 1
• Rosenbaum (L, 5-5) 9IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 7K, 2R HR, BK, HBP
• Leon 3-4, R, HR, RBI
• Hood 1-3, BB, RBI

The problem of scoring just one run — as the PNats have done for three straight games — is that the pitching has to be damn near perfect to win. Danny Rosenbaum made but one mistake (a two-run home run in the first inning) but it was enough to saddle him with a 3-1 loss. The 23-year-old lefty went the distance for the second time this season, facing just 31 batters and allowing just five runners to reach base safely: three hits, one walk, one hit-by-pitch. Potomac’s lone run came on a solo shot by Sandy Leon in the bottom of the seventh, as Potomac mustered just six hits for the evening and went 0-for-3 with RISP. With the loss, Potomac sports a 16-10 mark, but remains tied with Frederick, which saw its six-game win streak snapped in Salem.

Augusta 5 Hagerstown 2
• Cole 5IP, 4H, ER, 0BB, 2K
• McCatty 1IP, H, 0ER, 0BB, 2K
• A Sanchez 3-4
• Nicol 2-4, R

Hagerstown fell 5-2 to the Augusta Greenjackets last night. Augusta scored quickly on starter A.J. Cole. In the first, the Greenjackets scored on two singles and two stolen bases before Cole struck out the last two batters to end the frame. Cole settled down after that and was only threatened in the fourth, when a Michael Taylor gunned down Josh Mazzola at the plate trying to score with two outs. Hagerstown took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a single by Sean Nicol, an RBI double from Mills Rogers, and an RBI single from Michael Taylor. That would be all for the bats as the Suns left seven men on base with their nine hits and three walks. The defense let down reliever Sam Brown in the 8th. He gave up the game winning RBI on a single, a steal, and an RBI line drive before a two-out error by Michael Taylor would contribute to three additional unearned runs. With the 5-2 loss, Hagerstown falls to fourth place at 13-12, a ½ game back of Lakewood for third place and 3½ games in back of first-place Hickory.

Auburn 5 Williamsport 3 (12 inn.)
• Dupra (ND) 6IP, 6H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Grisz (W, 1-0) 4IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Skole 3-6, 2B, 4RBI
• Montilla 2-5, RBI, SB

Matt Skole’s two-run single in the top of the 11th was the difference in a 5-3 Auburn win over Williamsport. They were the 3rd and 4th RBI on the night for Skole, who went 3-for-6 with a double to lead the 14-hit Doubleday offense. Brian Dupra went the first six, scattering six hits for no runs, no walks and four strikeouts. His effort would be for naught as Travis Henke gave away the 3-0 lead in the 7th for his third blown save in eight appearance. Ben Grisz finished the game with four scoreless innings to get the win, which puts Auburn at 17-16, two games behind Batavia in the Pinckney Division.

GCL Nationals 1 GCL Mets 0
• Baez 5IP, 5H, 0R, BB, 5K
• Chico (W, 2-1) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Lucas (S, 1) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Ramos 2-3, R, HR, BB, RBI
• JC Valdez 2-3, BB

Wander Ramos’s solo shot in the bottom of the eighth was the only run the G-Nats scored… but it was good enough for a 1-0 win over the G-Mets. Coupled with yesterday’s victory, it was their first back-to-back wins since June 29-30. Gregory Baez got the start and went the first five innings, alllowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five. Matt Chico pitched the next three against a lineup of players who were born while he was in elementary school to get credit for the win. Robert Lucas closed out the ninth with two strikeouts and a flyout for the save. The 10-16 G-Nats remain, however, 8½ games behind in the GCL East.

DSL Nationals 7 DSL Marlins 5
• Moscat (W, 3-3) 5IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 6K
• K Rodriguez (H, 4) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 3BB, 3K
• Eusebio 2-5, 2R, 2-2B
• Rosario 2-4, R, RBI
• N Ortega 2-5, R, RBI

The D-Nats are back to .500 (22-22) with a 7-5 win over the D-Marlins. Four D-Nats had multiple hits, led by the Diomedes Eusebio’s two doubles and two runs scored as the D-Nats pounded out 12 hits. Felix Moscat got the start and the win, going five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks, and striking out six. The D-Marlins would score three times against 18-year-old Jesus De Los Santos, before Kelvin Rodriguez bailed him out for the hold and Jorge Hernandez got the last five outs for his third save. With the win, the D-Nats sliced their deficit to five games behind D-Rangers in the B.C. South.

25 Commments

  1. Finally back in the saddle! Got to see Moldenhauer play last night. He surely is not 6’0″ tall. 🙂 My kid said he looked like some of our smaller players, just with 50 lbs. added on. But – he hit a ton and I feel is a good fit on this team. For the short period of time I saw him last night, I was pleasantly surprised. I did see him at instructs, and I felt like he’s improved his swing a bunch.

    The Michael Taylor circus was open for business again in center field, though. 🙁 There are times he just looks totally over his head, lost, etc. I don’t know if he’s not paying attention, can’t see the ball well off the bat, or he’s just not a center fielder. I know he doesn’t have to catch everything but at least don’t look like a little leaguer doing it.

    I am not looking forward to the incredible temperatures for the double-header at the Muni tonight.

    1. I saw Moldenhauer in Vermont last year, and he’s 5’10” max. But don’t call him Shirley. 😉

      1. Ok, definitely not 6’0″ tall. There. LOL 🙂

        Think JP Ramirez with 40 more lbs. then you have an idea.

        1. Jeez: 5’10”, 220+. That’s either Matt Stairs as a 22yo, or a bowling ball with appendages.

          1. He is real stocky, but not in a bad way if you know what I mean. He seems height/weight proportionate, or as my mamma calls ’em “big boned”….not looking like he’s been at the buffet too long. 🙂

    2. Back when he was an advisor, Davey Johnson spoke glowingly of Taylor. Said he’s learning to play outfield from scratch and that he has a high upside. Just reportin’.
      In Harrisburg, what to do with Roark, the #’s are just plain bad. We got him for nothing, but he seems overmatched at AA.
      Erik Davis is on the rubber tonight, does anybody know much about him, I know we got him last year for not much, but can’t remember who.

      I sure hope someone lusts after Jesus Flores, because Solano is better from both aspects.

  2. Last time I checked, Hagerstown was still in Maryland. Harper did play there for three months.

    1. Actually, Harper was promoted on July 4, three days prior to the third-month anniversary of his first game with Hagerstown on April 7th. I meant within metro DC, so I spelled it out further for you.

      2. So we are supposed to know what you mean when you write somthing that is wrong. Just admit you were wrong and move on.

      3. Oh I see, since it wasn’t exactly three months to the day, then Hagerstown is no longer a part of Maryland. I guess it is necessary to be 100% accurate about the length of time he was there, but a State no longer being a State is a fair statement. A GPS? No, how bout needing a C-L-U-E.

          1. Sue you’re the best. Thx for taking the snarky higher road. BTW shame on the lot of you for complaining about the smallest details and leaving out the graditude for the mountains of information given out on a weekly basis. Sue you are appreciated by most!

    1. Speaking of which, Mel, have you introduced yourself to Chris Manno yet? You are president of Manno’s Minions!
      I’m dying to get up to Hagerstown with my camera in August.

  4. Bud Poliquin of syracuse.com notes that the Pirates forced the Phillies to release Ironpig RHP reliever — and local TV color guy and former Major League Steve Grilli’s son — Jason Grilli (whose contract called for Phillies to call him up or release him if another team wanted him), who’s heading to St. Louis to be in “The Show”; and it wonders why it’s taking so long to get the Chief’s and Tom Milone to the Nats … Come Nats, get Tom up there!

    1. Richard: I think a number of SYR callups could hinge on what the Nationals’ braintrust does over the next 10 days. Trades that return prospects will clear space on the 25/40-man for players like Milone. Otherwise, it’s a continued holding pattern until they shut down JZimm.

    1. I suppose it doesn’t go without saying that I was referring to prospects and not rehabbing major leaguers. Apologies again.

  6. Mark I will make u a deal , if you go up in August , I will meet you there and but a beer or 2 or 3 . Sue speak freely with no hesitation, you are the best

  7. Gotta say more people should be talking about Michael Taylor….he’s just 20 years old. His production at the plate looks pretty promising when you consider that. Hood played in Hagerstown at the same age and had similar numbers, only difference being Taylor showing more power as opposed to Hood’s higher batting average. Taylor could also be moved to a corner OF spot where he’s less exposed defensively…. it’s maybe even likely with Brian Goodwin on the way in CF. I for one will be very interested to see where this kid’s at in a couple years.

  8. Should Bryce Harper play in any of those games Bowie, it will be the first time a Nationals 1st-round draft pick has played in VA or MD within 50 miles of DC since Drew Storen pitched for Potomac in August 2009.

    Wasn’t Chris Marerro there as well? Right through to the end of the year?

  9. Ryan Tatusko came on to strand an inherited runner and pitch three and a 1/3rd innings of dominant relief, walking none and striking out four in one of his best outings as a Chief.

    Highlight of the game. He was masterful. Lombardozzi at shortstop in that game. Bixler in left. Antonelli at third.

  10. Yes, possibly Tatusko’s best game of the season, but still only one game. His numbers for the season unfortunately are underwhelming to date; 24GP, 10GS, 67.0IP, 5.91ERA, 1.87WHIP, 1.51:1K-W ratio.

    Both he & Roark were wonderful pickups for HAR last season, but both are struggling this year. But as someone on another blog stated, they are basically “found money” off the Guzman trade, so I won’t complain.

Comments are closed.