Monday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Probable Pitcher |
| Syracuse | Lost, 6-4 | vs. Buffalo, 7:00 p.m. |
Tom Milone (8-6, 3.62) vs. Mark Cohoon (3-7, 6.71) |
| Harrisburg | Won, 6-1 | OFF DAY | N/A |
| Potomac | Won, 7-2 | vs. Salem, 7:05 p.m. |
Paul Demny (7-10, 5.08) vs. Chris Hernandez (10-5, 2.50) |
| Hagerstown | Lost, 7-5; Won, 6-5 |
vs. Greensboro, 7:05 p.m. |
TBD vs. TBD |
| Auburn | Won, 7-0 | vs. Mahoning Valley, 7:05 p.m. |
Taylor Hill (0-1, 4.26) vs. Joseph Colon (4-2, 3.38) |
| GCL Nationals | Lost, 4-2 vs. GCL Cards |
@ GCL Astros, 12:00 p.m. |
Pedro Encarnacion (0-2, 5.00) vs. Michael Feliz (0-2, 4.65) |
| DSL Nationals | OFF DAY | vs. DSL Angels, 10:30 a.m. |
TBD vs. TBD |
Columbus 6 Syracuse 4
• Peacock 5IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 4K, 2HR
• Zinicola 1⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Marrero 2-4, R, 2B, HR, 3RBI
• Antonelli 3-5, R, RBI, SB
The longball continues to plague Chiefs pitchers, as the Clipper connected twice against Brad Peacock en route to a 6-4 win and the four-game sweep. Peacock gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks over the first five innings. Offensively, Syracuse broke into double digits in the hit column, with Chris Marrero driving in three of the four Chiefs runs with a double and a two-run HR. The loss drops Syracuse to 49-64, 14½ games off the pace in the I.L. North.
Harrisburg 6 Erie 1
• Perez, O (W, 3-2) 6⅔ IP 4H, 1R, 1ER, BB, 0K, HR
• VanAllen (H, 9) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Komatsu 2-4, 2R, HR, 3RBI
• Pahuta 2-4, R, HR, 2RBI
For the third straight start, Oliver Perez allowed just one run on a home run, but this time he got the win as Harrisburg defeated Erie, 6-1. The best-paid pitcher in AA allowed four hits and a walk and had no strikeouts to earn his third win. Erik Komatsu and Tim Pahuta both went 2-for-4 with a home run as the Senators got nine hits total and stranded just six batters. The win keeps Harrisburg in first place, a ½ game ahead of Bowie and 1½ games up on Richmond in the E.L. West.
Potomac 7 Myrtle Beach 2
• Bronson (W, 3-3) 5IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 3K, HR
• Frias (H, 5) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Leon 2-4, R, HR, 2RBI
• Hood 2-4, BB, RBI, SB, CS
A pair of two-run rallies late put this game away as Potomac ended its six-game roadtrip with a 7-2 win over Myrtle Beach. Evan Bronson got the start and the win, putting in five innings with two runs allowed on three hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. Marcos Frias and Josh Smoker both tossed two scoreless innings of relief. Sandy Leon and Destin Hood both went 2-for-4 to lead the offense as the P-Nats collected 11 hits total. With the win, Potomac inches up a game to three behind Frederick and maintains its six-game lead over third-place Lynchburg in the Carolina League’s Northern Division.
Greensboro 7 Hagerstown 5 — GAME ONE
• Strasburg 1⅔ IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 4K, HR
• Cole 4IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, BB, 4K, HR
• Kelso 2-3, R, 3B, BB, RBI
• Sanchez 2-4, 2B, 3RBI
The Greensboro Grasshoppers smacked three home runs off the Suns, including Stephen Strasburg, turning a 5-1 deficit into a 7-5 win in the first game of the doubleheader. Hagerstown scored all five of its runs in the bottom of the 2nd, highlighted by a two-out, three-RBI double by Adrian Sanchez. The Grasshoppers chipped away with single runs in the 3rd and 5th and got deuces in the 6th and 7th. Wilson Eusebio was charged with the loss, giving up a two-run homer in the 7th.
Hagerstown 6 Greensboro 5 — GAME TWO
• Grace 6⅓ IP, 10H, 5R, 5ER, 0BB, 2K, HR
• McCatty (W, 2-3) ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Taylor 2-4, 3B, 2RBI, OF assist at 3B
• Martinson 2-2, 2R, 2B, HR, BB, RBI
• Nicol 1-2, R, HR, BB, RBI
Michael Taylor’s RBI single in the bottom of the 7th gave the Suns a walkoff win and split the doubleheader. As the 6-5 score suggests, it was a see-saw affair, with the two teams answering each other’s rallies three times, including the last inning. Matt Grace went the first six and a 1/3rd innings but allowed all five Grasshopper runs on 10 hits including a solo shot by Jacob Realmuto, who took Strasburg deep in the first game. Shane McCatty got the win by finishing out the top of the 7th and stranding a runner. The split puts Hagerstown at 22-20, three games behind Hickory in the Sally North.
Auburn 7 Mahoning Valley 0
• Dupra (W, 3-2) 5IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, K
• Garcia 2IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Jenkins 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Ortega 2-3, BB, SB, RBI
• Rowe 2-3, 2B, RBI
Three Auburn pitchers combined for a 7-0 shutout of Mahoning Valley, reclaiming sole possession of first place. Brian Dupra, Christian Garcia, and Chris Jenkins scattered seven hits and three walks, with Dupra earning his third win. Bryce Ortega and Connor Rowe both went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Justin Miller and Russell Moldenahuer both homered as the Doubledays were an efficient seven runs on nine hits, capitalizing on the five walks issued. Auburn now stands at 30-20, a game up on Mahoning Valley, two on Williamsport, and three on Jamestown in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League.
GCL Cardinals 4 GCL Nationals 2
• Baez 4IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 4K
• Davis 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• E Martinez 2-4, R, BB, SB
• Ramos 1-4, R, HR, 2RBI
The GCL Nationals were formally eliminated yesterday with a 4-2 loss to the GCL Cardinals. Wander Ramos’s two-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd gave the G-Nats a brief 3-2 lead, but the G-Cards posted a picket fence in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings and another single run in the 9th to seal the win. Gregory Baez started and went the first four innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five while Blake Monar, who was assigned from Auburn just prior to the game, took the loss in his first GCL appearance with a single run allowed in his one inning of work. Today, the G-Nats face the G-Astros with a chance to climb out of the GCL East cellar.
DSL Nationals — OFF DAY
It’s a long week this week for the D-Nats thanks to three rainouts last week, presuming that they will all be made up this week. The D-Nats are at 28-28 with an elimination number of 12 with less than two weeks left in the DSL regular season schedule.
I just read last nite that Prince William County has agreed to spend $250,000 to ‘fix’ the field at Pfitzner. Don’t know what to make of this.
Now that I know the numbers, it looks as if there could be at least 3 of the teams in the playoffs this year. Pretty positive stuff.
The County put up $250K, and the Park Authority threw in another $150K. For renovations on the field that Owner Art Silber said there was nothing wrong with it, and county executive Cory Stewart said there was nothing wrong with it. So either they are throwing away $400K on a perfect field, or someone is lying. And what about the momentous announcement from Silber about a new stadium that was supposed to come in July? Not a word. Are they really going to put $400K into what would become a softball field if there were any plans for a new stadium? So who is lying to us? Who is the village idiot? I hope whoever runs against Stewart brings all of this up during election time. And as for Silber? Think it’s any coincidence that Strasburg pitched at Hagerstown and not at Potomac? There are consequences to one’s inaction and lack of truth.
A politician talking from the side of his mouth. Umm that never happens, right… and what’s up with Silber, he plays the victim too much for my liking. Silber build that new stadium. don’t talk about it, make it so. The P-Nats need to stay here as a DC affiliate!
I hear Mock is headed to Syracuse, is he going to be a starter or reliever?
He’s already there; he’s thrown three times in relief since July 30.
Sue: (or others) I have been impressed with R. Martin this entire season. I see his era at 1.08 and I am wondering if he has a future here? I think he is a little older than most of our pitchers but I am hoping there is an up-side. Thanks
This is the second year for ‘Beer League Martin’ at Harrisburg and his numbers are terrific. He may be older but he doesn’t have the usual wear & tear as others because he didn’t pitch for long stretches.
He also had to stay in extended spring training this year, as it was his first regular offseason and he had lost his form and had to relearn it.
Guess this week we’ll find out for sure how NATS FO feels about Art. If Strasburg doesn’t pitch at Potomac this Friday (his 5 day rotation) then its doubtful we’ll see any high profile guys in rehab again. Hagerstown is away but Harrisburgh is home…pitchers don’t need to worry too much about condition of outfield.
FWIW, Byron Kerr tweeted that it will be Potomac
P-Nats game last night was awesome. First, the game was quick – 2 hours and 20 minutes – but played in 90+ degrees and 75-9% humidity. I’ve never sweat more in my entire life!
Evan Bronson pitched a great game. Kept good control and a level head the entire time. Sandy Leon’s home run was a towering “rain-maker” shot as he hit it when I was walking up the steps and I had enough time to turn around, find where the ball was, find the right fielder and see him go all the way to the wall before it went over.
Both Frias and Smoker pitched lights out, with Smoker (i’m pretty sure it was him) doing one relief inning with 1,2,3 pitches respectively to the 1,2,3rd batters.
One thing lost in the box was the play of Soriano at short. He had a few plays that literally left even the home fans gasping and applauding his effort.
Short-tempered Souza was on his worst behavior, striking out once earlier and somewhat controlling his temper, then striking out again later with (again if I remember right) bases loaded to end the inning. He turned from the plate and broke his bat over his knee. I was surprised he was not tossed from the game.
One play you don’t see called enough was a P-nats batter (Soriano pretty sure) getting called out on a bunt for stepping on the plate when bunting. Matt LeCroy complained and got quite animated, but went back to 3rd base box and stewed for the rest of the inning.
There was a great crowd of P-Nats fans, probably 50-75 folks there in all areas of the park, but mainly behind the dugout. I had my parents with me for the game, and it was my mom’s first baseball game since she was a little girl growing up in Brooklyn and watching the Dodgers with her father. She has not the best vision now and walks slower because of two knee replacements, but the only thing she couldn’t manage was the scoreboard because of the distance/sun glare. She raved about the ballpark (it is one of the best folks, you have to go here once) and had a great time.
The crowds been waiting with baited breath for ‘Last Nite in Myrtle Beach’. Great job.
This is at least the 3rd time we’ve read something like this about Soriano. Now they’ve added another SS.
One play Soriano made he literally was going away from 2nd toward L field at a good speed, got the ball, turned and threw to first without planting his feet, getting the guy out at first by a half-step. Left you slack-jawed saying “daaaammmmm” with a long southern drawl. LOL 🙂 I would like to see him with Adrian Sanchez on the double play sooner than later.
TBR – You may just have called the keystone combo in Potomac for 2012. Soriano has a gun attached to his right shoulder, but has his issues at the plate. Sanchez has little left to prove in Hagerstown, and will hopefully get the bump up in the off season.
Play any golf while you were down there?
I’ll smoke the cigar, drive the cart, and drink the beer – but don’t make me hit that little white ball. 🙂 No, not a golf player…but I do watch it on TV.
I just ran through the numbers for the G-Nats, and boy are they ugly. With the offense having a combination of college and High schoolers getting the aluminium out of their swings & some 18-20 kids up from the DSL, the hitting just hasn’t been there. The corner outfielders (Wilmer Ramos & Estarlin Martinez) have been the only consistent hitters all season.
The pitching has been hit and miss, but there is some promise there. Baez, Encarnacion & maybe McGeary look interesting from the starters, and Jason Smith & Robert Lucas from the bullpen show some promise as well. As for he rest, not good.