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Prospects Go Deep Three Times in 11-5 Nats “W”

Brian Goodwin started the Nats comeback with two-run shot in the 7th to tie the game at 4-4 while Matt Skole and Sandy Leon blasted two- and three-run blasts respectively as part of the Nats seven-run 8th in an 11-5 Washington win this afternoon.

The win snapped a two-game slide and saw the Nationals hit double digits in runs for the third time in five games, a mark that perhaps bodes well for the Syracuse and Harrisburg offenses next month. It also marked the final debut for Big Nats regulars Gio Gonzalez and Jayson Werth..

Gonzalez made quick work of the Mets split squad, allowing just two baserunners (one hit, one walk) in two innings of work while striking out one, while Werth went 0-for-1 with a walk while playing his customary RF.

More concerning was the second straight poor showing for Matt Purke, who gave up the first three Mets runs on five hits and a walk over two innings. It’s early, of course, for the Nats #6 prospect (according to MLB.com’s latest (prepostoffseason?) Top 20 list), but troublesome nevertheless for the 2011 Nats third-round pick.

Zach Walters had been slated to make the start at 2B but was a late scratch due to illness, according to MASN’s Dan Kolko, who also had the story on the Nats’ plans to get the 24-y.o. more reps at 2B, where he hasn’t played since 2011 (11 games in Low-A). He was replaced by Mike Fontenot in the starting lineup, which had seven Nats regulars in the starting lineup (Wilson Ramos was the DH, Jhonatan Solano was the catcher).

Here’s a rundown of how the notable minor-leaguers fared coming off the bench:
• Goodwin 1-1, R, BB, HR, 2RBI replacing Denard Span in CF
• Steve Souza 0-2, K following Werth in RF
• Skole 1-3, R, HR, 2RBI, 2K subbing for Zimmerman at 3B
• Cutter Dykstra, 0-0, R as PR for DH Jose Lobaton, who replaced Ramos
• Leon 2-2, 2R, HR, 3RBI replacing Solano at C
• Michael Taylor, no defensive chances while playing RF in the 9th inning

The Nats head back to Lake Buenavista to play the Braves tomorrow night. Jordan Zimmeramnn is expected to make his second start. The game can be heard on MLB Radio and seen on MLB.tv but will not be televised locally.

4 Commments

  1. Has anyone kept track of how much of the Nats scoring has come from prospects vs.the expected MLB roster? I suppose that’s somewhat to be expected (and typical?) this early as they are fighting for notice, and often are hitting against the deep prospects on the other teams. (And the vets like Werth still think it’s too early to try a swing). But it does seem striking this year.

    1. Werth looks like a pretty good bet to be the oldest player on the roster this season unless by some miracle Jamie Carroll makes it onto the 40/25. He’s had more than his share of mileage as a major league player. Can’t really expect a full season from him at this point given his recent injury history. So, one has to guess he’s saving what he has for when the games count.

  2. I agree that the performances by Purke are a little troubling. He doesn’t seem to have any movement or velocity on his fastball. Looks pretty ordinary and his offspeed pitches aren’t anything to write home about.

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