Friday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Probable Pitchers |
| Syracuse | Lost, 4-0 | vs. Columbus, 7:05 p.m. |
Billings (0-2, 5.54) vs. Roth (1-0, 3.38) |
| Harrisburg | OFF DAY | @ Bowie, 6:35 p.m. |
Ross (0-1, 3.60) vs. Berry (0-2, 9.50) |
| Potomac | Won, 5-4 | @ Salem, 7:05 p.m. |
Spann (0-3, 5.82) vs. McAvoy (1-1, 1.72) |
| Hagerstown | Postponed | vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m. |
Valdez (1-1, 1.80) vs. Kopech (1-1, 1.96) |
Pawtucket 4 Syracuse 0
• McGregor (L, 1-2) 5IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 3K, 2HR
• Runion 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Martinson 2-4, 3B
• Lerud 1-3, 2B
The PawSox took the four-game series with the Chiefs by a 3-1 count with a 4-0 shutout in the Thursday matinee. Scott McGregor gave up all four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings, including solo HRs in the 1st and the 4th. Sam Runion and Rafael Martin combined for three scoreless innings of relief, but the offense was unable to push across any runs despite a leadoff double in the 3rd and loading the bases in the 5th. Jason Martinson was the only batter with multiple hits, tripling in the 4th and singling in the 9th.
Harrisburg — OFF DAY
After their first scheduled off day of the season, the Senators embark on a six-game swing through Bowie and New Britain before returning to City Island next Friday.
Roster move: IF Wilmer Difo promoted from Potomac. No corresponding move yet to replace LHP Sammy Solis.
Potomac 5 Winston-Salem 4
• Bacus 4IP, 5H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
• Johansen (W, 1-1) 3#8432; IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 6K
• Wooten 4-5, 2B, E(4)
• Perez 2-5, 2R, HR, RBI
The P-Nats got both timely hitting and took advantage of sloppy Dash defense in a three-run 6th, which proved to be the difference as they held off two late charges to win, 5-4 and stop a five-game losing streak. Dakota Bacus started and posted four goose eggs on the scoreboard before turning it over to Jake Johansen in the 5th. The Nats top pick in 2013 hit a bump in the 6th with two runs but finished with six whiffs over three and 2/3rds innings to earn the win. John Wooten led the hit parade with a 4-for-5 game while Stephen Perez homered scored twice in his return to High-A. Roster move: SS Stephen Perez demoted from Harrisburg.
West Virginia vs. Hagerstown — PPD
The Power and Suns were rained out for the second time in as many series. No makeup date has been announced but the two teams will play again in Hagerstown from May 14-17.
Trea Turner Update
Turner broke out of a 1-for-20 stretch with a walk, two singles, and a double as he went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI in a 9-0 San Antonio win.
I think the Potomac highlights reveal the dirty little secret that are blog father might be working on a smartphone on his way to work while firing his former assistant after the late dear editor Spike passed away. Luke, I kid because I care, and thank you for shocking me with continuing the site at full blast. If you ever need help, just ask. I’d rather make a great site the greatest in #milb than start from scratch. Thank you for giving me an opportunity last year that was critical to my professional development. I know I can produce because you taught me how to work for a supervisor who us tough but fun and fair. Your kids get that, and I am 100% confident they are great young men if you treat them better than you do your readers and many fans.
We see Trea Turner is struggling after getting exposed a bit. Now I shall see how the man who should be Jayson Werth is doing for the Rays. Can we put a Stephen Souza line in the comments? Guy had a Jammin’ Josh Hamiltonesque opening month. I still do the deal, and I still feel Rizzo won it, but Jayson Werth’s contract is a problem at this point.
It’s a little early to declare Souza the “man who should be Jayson Werth” based on 3+ weeks of baseball. Even in his first three weeks, while Souza has certainly shown power (7XBH, 4 HRs) he also has shown a significant strikeout problem (30 whiffs in 76 at bats). I like Souza, but let’s
Werth’s contract has not been a problem to date; really, he has been totally “Werth it” and has even banked some surplus value as a hedge against judging the contract for the last couple of years. Heck, it’s quite possible that Werth puts up a better season this year than Souza – Werth has put up consecutive seasons of 4.7 and 5.0 fWAR the last two years, which is nothing to sneeze at.
GMs will love dealing with Mike Rizzo when two of his prospects, old friends Karns and Souza, are on a list of top 5 AL Rookie of the Year candidates. #inrizzowetrust
Karns has Blake Treinen (and AJ Cole) disease – fastball’s too straight and hittable: needs more consistent secondary pitches in order to succeed. Karns might make a serviceable ML reliever in due course, but my suspicion is that he’s an AAAA fodder. Treinen could become a lights out closer if he can change the hitter’s bat speed with something. Cole needs FB command within the zone, and a 3rd pitch which is at least average.
Souza I like. Maybe even stronger than that – since the lightbulb flashed on about 3 years ago, he’s been a destroyer with 4 or 5 tools out of 5. But given the big picture choice for 2015 was essentially him or Escobar; I’ll take the hand that Rizzo’s gotten every day and twice on Sunday’s – Escobar has arguably been our second best player in the first month of the season, and provided infield versatility that wasn’t expected. And I like Turner’s progress – Double AA ball and playing well, with not even a full year of pro ball behind him.
Werth’s contract was never supposed to be value for money. It really bugs me when people try and pretend it was. It was a statement of intent – contract money is a sunk cost as soon as the contract’s signed. If we hadn’t signed Werth for the $$$ we did, neither of the two brief postseasons the Nats have had would have occurred. #Werthit
(I second all the comments re Luke maintaining this site; and those who may also help and contribute. Star quality, one and all!)
Big news on Difo.
I was wondering how that was going to shake out with Stephen Perez. He had only 54 AB’s but was hitting at a .455 OPS rate. At least he didn’t pout about the demotion, had a terrific game yesterday.
Does the Difo promotion indicate they might want to see if he can make it to the majors this year? Otherwise, I don’t see why they would promote him so fast. He could have spent half of the year in Potomac, the second half in Harrisburg, then the Arizona Fall League. If that went well he could be ready for the majors next year. This seems unnecessary unless the organization has greater plans for him.
Difo promotion is just a few steps ahead of Turner
Landing in harrisburg in June .
Luke , you are applauded by many for your
Diligence on this sight.
Condolences if I understand you lost a doggie .
. I had that two Octobers ago. She would watch Nats
Games on my hip.
Solid was spot on last night.
Interesting to see how the bullpen morphs by sept .
Janssen and blue bayou valverde .
In Arizona TV box. Matty and Mark Grace would
Use linda ronstadt ‘s blue by you in fun to
Salute senior Smoke. Valverde .
Then there was Roger Craig line in SF. Hum baby !!
Things sure are picking up.
The clouds have parted
Over the last two/three years Werth has the best stats of any left fielder in the NL with the possible exception of Upton. Now I realize I’m fudging a bit, but Werth plays left field now and Braun has been injured or … Well you know. And note, I said possible exception of Upton. I actually like Werth’s stats better. Werth doesn’t have the slugging percentage but he also batted in the lead off position for a while.