Monday’s News & Notes

Toledo 8 Syracuse 4
• Maya 6IP, 9H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 8K, HR
• Davis (L, 1-3) 1⅔ 1H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 3K, HR (GS)
• Walters 3-4, 2B, 2RBI
• Rivero 2-4, BB

Erik Davis’s return to AAA was a near-perfect failure. In his second inning of work, the 26-y.o. walked the bases loaded (one intentional, following a sacrifice after a leadoff walk) then coughed up a grand slam as the Mud Hens defeated the Chiefs, 8-4 in 10 innings. Just an inning and a half earlier, Syracuse had victimized the Toledo ‘pen for three runs in the 8th to tie the game at four, including a two-run double by Zach Walters, who went 3-for-4 to lead the Chiefs offense. Yunesky Maya got the no-decision with four runs allowed on nine hits and no walks while striking out eight. Roster moves: LHP Xavier Cedeno optioned from Washington; RHP Matt Torra released.

Harrisburg 5 New Britain 2
• Treinen (W, 6-6) 5IP, 8H, R, ER, 2BB, 1K
• Holland (H, 5) 1⅔ IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Barrett (S, 12) 1⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Goodwin 3-5, 2R, RBI
• Van Ostrand 2-5, R, 2B, 2RBI
• Johnson 2-3, R, SB

Harrisburg broke out for four runs in the 3rd and salvaged the series with a 5-2 win over New Britain. Starter Blake Treinen evened his won-loss record at 6-6 by scattering eight hits over five innings for one run allowed, with two walks and one strikeout. The Sens ‘pen turned in four innings of one-run relief to lock it down, highlighted by Aaron Barrett whiffing four of six batters faced for a multi-inning save, his 12th. Brian Goodwin singled three times and scored twice as the Harrisburg offense churned out 11 hits, including doubles by Steve Souza, Sandy Leon and Jimmy Van Ostrand.

Potomac 10 Frederick 9 (10 inn.)
• Ray 4IP, 6H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 5K, 3HR
• Frias (W, 1-0) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Fischer (SV, 1) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 4K
• Gilmartin 3-5, RBI, CS
• Ramsey 2-5, 2R, 2B, RBI

In something of a microcosm for the team’s first half, the P-Nats offense overcame its pitching deficiencies for a 9-8 win that secured a 42-win half for just the third time since becoming a Washington affiliate (2008 1st half, 2009 2nd half). Robbie Ray was lit up for six runs on six hits over four innings, with five of the runs coming on three home runs, matching his season total to date. He walked two and struck out five. Marcos Frias got the win in relief with a scoreless fifth inning, though the 24-y.o. gave up two hits. Potomac took advantage of seven walks issued by Frederick pitchers to score nine times on ten hits, with Mike Gilmartin the lead bat at 3-for-5 for the afternoon.

Hagerstown 9 Lakewood 6
• Purke 4⅔ IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K, WP
• Meza (W, 1-0) 1⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Benincasa (SV, 10) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Renda 2-4, 2R, 2B, BB, SB
• Norfork 2-5, R, 2-2B, RBI
• Martinez 2-3, 2R, 2-2B, BB

In an improbable turn of events, the Suns won the first half with a 9-6 win over Lakewood by a half game over Hickory. Starter Matt Purke turned in four and 2/3rds innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two. Christian Meza got the win in relief, walking one and striking out two over an inning and a 1/3rd. Tony Renda doubled once, tying for the league lead at 24, while Khayyan Norfork and Estarlin Martinez both doubled twice as the Suns pounded out 12 hits total. With the Sally League’s arbitrary predetermined playoff format, Hagerstown hosts Games Two and Three (if necessary) of the Semifinals, and should they advance, Games One and Two of the Finals. For those wondering, the Suns took four of seven games from Hickory during the first half and play them six times in the second half. Roster moves: RHP Ivan Pineyro placed on TIL; RHP Reynaldo Lopez reassigned to Auburn Doubledays, RHP Pedro Encarnacion reassigned from Auburn Doubledays.

Auburn Doubledays — OPENING DAY
The 2012 Pinckney Division Champions look to defend their title as they open the 2013 campaign against the second-place Batavia Muckdogs. Despite multiple inquiries, the Auburn Doubledays have yet to release information (or issue a press release) regarding the 2013 Opening Day roster. The current roster is inaccurate, containing multiple players who were released in the spring.

DSL Nationals — OFF DAY
After a 4-2 week, the D-Nats remain atop the Boca Chica South division with a 9-4 mark, 1½ games up on the second-place D-Pirates2 squad. It’s home games this week against the D-Orioles2 and D-Mets1 and home-and-home series against the D-Cards and D-Tigers.