NationalsProspects.com

Rendon Plates Two In Another Nats Tie

Photo Credit: Luis Albisu via Twitter @ItsLuisF
The Nats posted a picket fence in the second, third, and fourth innings but couldn’t hold the 3-1 lead over the Mets last night in Viera, settling for another extra-inning tie at 4-4.

Like Gio Gonzalez on Monday, Nats starter Stephen Strasburg struggled some with the heat but was stone-cold killer with his offspeed offerings, striking out six primarily with the curve and change over three innings. The Nats ace gave up a run in the first on a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly but finished with just three hits and two walks allowed while tossing 53 pitches, 31 for strikes.

As the headline teases, Anthony Rendon continues to impress this spring. The 22-year-old doubled to right with two outs to tie the game in the second, then tapped into a 6-4 putout with one out in the 4th to bring in the run that put the Nats up 3-1 in the 4th. In five games, Rendon is now 5-for-12 with a HR, two doubles, and five RBI and living up to hype that comes with being the team’s #1 prospect.

Zach Duke followed Strasburg on the mound and let in an unearned run in his two innings to “earn” a blown save while Yunesky Maya coughed up two earned runs in his two for his “BS.” Both gave up three hits. Pat McCoy rebounded from his previous outing to turn in a 1-2-3 frame. Ryan Mattheus closed out the game with two goose eggs. Nats pitchers combined for 14 K’s over the 10 innings.

Here’s a rundown of how the notable minor-league subs did:
• Eury Perez beat out an IF hit while going 1-for-3 in RF
• Corey Brown singled up the middle in a 1-for-3 effort as the CF
• Chris Marrero walked, doubled, struck out, and scored a run for his 1-for-2 at 1B
• Zach Walters singled and struck out twice while going 1-for-3 at SS
• Carlos Rivero pinch-ran and went 0-for-2 with a K while playing LF
• Matt Skole drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI and struck out in an 0-for-2 effort at 3B

It’s a week off from local TV & radio for the Nats, who head back to the House of Mouse Orlando to take on the Atlanta Braves tonight at 6:05 p.m.

12 Commments

  1. has there been any mention of Brian Goodwin? I would have expected an appearance by now.

    1. Nope. But I’ll play along… Carlos Rivero, Corey Brown and Eury Perez seem to be getting the lion’s share of OF reps, likewise for Zach Walters, Chris Marrero and Matt Skole in the IF. One might say they’re being prepared (or showcased).

      1. Makes sense … Rivero is another potential AGonz with a nascent power bat. He can play every position and specs out as a nice UTL actually better than Lombo in the field. Brown could be a starter in the OF he just might be more than read to replace either Harper or Werth should the go down. Perez specs out as a nice backup to Span. Bernadina is off with the WBC so … while the cat is away the mice might roar.

  2. Like you, sb11, I really want to see BG play a bit and watch him do his stuff. It’s clear by now that the powers that be (Davey?? Rizzo?) wants Perez and Brown to get a heavy dose of exposure to ML quality pitching and fielding opps for probable callups during the 2013 season (not sure about Rivero – he’s out of MiL options, I heard). Goodwin will get some late inning exposure during blowouts to introduce him (slowly) to the majors… sort of wet his whistle and get him used to the bigs. Assuming his development remains where it is, he should get to DC, however no sooner than 2015 when Span’s contract expires AND assuming he is ready after two more seasoning years in Harrisburg and Syracuse. His readiness / performance in 2014 will help determine Span’s extension or non-signing. Perez’ destiny will also figure into this. I could see a salary purge in 2015 by non-signing LaRoche, Span and cutting Werth in the OF and replace with R Zimmerman (at 1st – Rendon at 3rd), Perez CF & Goodwin RF, which will allow to sign Strasburg, Harper, Zimmermann, Dez et al. Trust me, the starting lineup in 2015 will be drastically different than 2013, losing experience but dropping huge salaries as well. Goodwin will get there.

    1. I have no expectation of Goodwin ascending this year beyond AAA. The same could be said for Skole and he has received significant playing time. I am questioning if something else (injury) is in play

      1. Goodwin replaces Span or Werth eventually … Span is allowed to leave via free agency and/or Werth becomes the way too highly paid bench bat.

  3. I’ve always liked Marrero and truly believe he has the makings of a big league first baseman. The poor guy hasn’t had the best luck in the world so I’m cheering for him but it’s difficult to see where he can fit with the Nats. Apparently his defense has become much better too. I actually believe he would be a better offensive player (more consistent) than LaRoche and I mean now.

    1. He is less athletic than Tyler Moore. Moore manages to play the outfield whereas Marerro completely failed at the attempt. He is a bat without a position. And Tyler Moore is the swiftest gazelle in the majors right now. Nor is Skole.

      You have to figure Marerro is what he is a Bowden style player but not a Rizzo guy.

  4. Goodwin is not on the 40 man roster, and so I’m not even certain whether he is in the major league camp at this point. Did he get a non-roster invitation?

    1. No, but that doesn’t mean they won’t use him given the opportunity to see how far he has progressed.

Comments are closed.