Friday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Probable Pitchers |
| Syracuse | Lost, 2-0 (11 inn.) | @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 6:35 p.m. |
Espino (8-6, 3.21 in ’15) vs. Swarzak (0-1, 9.00) |
| Harrisburg | Lost, 9-0 | vs. Reading, 7:00 p.m. |
Mapes (1-0, 7.20) vs. Pinto (0-0, 4.50) |
| Potomac | Lost, 6-3 | vs. Wilmington, 7:05 p.m. |
Fedde (0-0, 4.50) vs. Tenuta (0-0, 5.79) |
| Hagerstown | Won, 4-1 | @ Delmarva, 7:05 p.m. |
TBD vs. Jones (0-0, 0.00) |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 2 Syracuse 0
• Jordan 6IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 6K
• Masset (L, 0-1) ⅔ IP, 1H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K, HR
• Goodwin 2-4, 2B, BB
• Ramsey 1-3, BB
It was another walkoff last night, but it was the original meaning as the Chiefs reliever and fielders left the field as the losers after a two-out, two-run homer by Gary Sanchez of the RailRiders. Taylor Jordan nearly matched the efforts of Austin Voth of the day before with six shutout innings, no walks, and six K’s for the no-decision. Syracuse was limited to just four hits and five walks, with Brian Goodwin the only batter to connect for extra bases as he went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk.
Reading 9 Harrisburg 0
• Simms (L, 0-1) 5IP, 7H, 6R, 5ER, BB, 2K, HR
• Harper 1⅓ P, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Difo 1-4, 2SB
• Pleffner 1-4
The wheels came off the bus in the 5th for Harrisburg when Reading put up a four-run frame to break open a 2-0 game as the Sens lost to the Fightins, 9-0. Starter John Simms rode the “L,” giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings. Just five men reached base – no one twice – via three singles and two walks while the lineup fanned ten times. Wilmer Difo and Shawn Pleffner were the only two batters to reach third base, both with two outs, as Difo singled and stole second and third in the 4th while Pleffner singled and was pushed over by the third and final single of the night by Kevin Keyes in the 9th.
Wilmington 6 Potomac 2
• Estevez (L, 0-1) 4IP, 6H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K
• Self 3IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Stevenson 1-2, 2BB
• Norfork 2-3, 2B, SF, RBI
Sloppy defense and poor baserunning didn’t help but the Blue Rocks pitchers were also dominant in a 6-2 win over Potomac. Starter Wirkin “For The Weekend” Estevez was ineffective, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over four shaky innings as he took the loss. Khayyan Norfork singled, doubled, and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly while Andrew Stevenson singled and walked twice but the rest of the lineup was 2-for-23 with two walks.
Hagerstown 4 Delmarva 1
• Crownover (W, 1-0) 5IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 6K, HBP
• Bach (H, 1) 3IP, 0H, R, ER, 3BB, 5K
• Schrock 2-5, 2RBI, SB
• Gutierrez 2-5, R, 2B, RBI
The Suns scored once in 1st and twice in the 2nd and cruised to a 4-1 win over the Shorebirds. Matt Crownover spun five scoreless innings with two walks and five hits allowed while striking out six to get the “W.” Connor Bach followed with three shutout frames, though he walked three and fanned five for the hold. Max Schrock and Kelvin Gutierrez once again powered the Hagerstown offense, combining for four hits and three RBI on the night. Roster moves: LHP Taylor Hearn placed on the 7-Day DL; RHP Jorge Pantoja reassigned from the GCL Nationals.
To add insult to injury, I see that the winning pitcher against Harrisburg was Nick Pivetta, with six innings of one-hit ball. Oh well.
Kudos to Taylor Jordan for continuing to post strong starts. He could be a back-end starter for several major-league rotations, yet with the Nats, he may be behind Cole, Voth, and Giolito on the call list.
I see that Solis and Gott each posted two scoreless innings in relief, although Gott still walked two. I’m really focused on his BB line, as it’s command that is keeping him from the big-league club.
Great to see strong outings from both Crownover and Bach at Hagerstown. I’m surprised that Bach has been demoted to the ‘pen, though.
Another hit and walk for Drew Ward. If things keep going as they are, you would think that the conga line will soon be in motion to get him to Harrisburg and Gutierrez to Potomac. Schrock would probably have to play SS if they move him up, though, as Mejia is a legit prospect at 2B. Schrock played some SS at Auburn last year, although the scouting report on him was that he wasn’t great defensively, even at 2B.
Taylor had his shot ans was found wanting.
Jordan posted a 3.66 ERA in nine starts in 2013 but struggled in more limited MLB looks over the last two years. I’m not saying that he should be the Nats’ rotation; he’s not of that level. But I really thought they would trade him at some point over the last couple of years and give him an MLB shot elsewhere. He’s at least of the caliber of guys at the back end of rotations of many second-tier MLB clubs.
‘Had his shot’? As if you’re only supposed to get 1 chance.
That being said, he sure looks like trade bait, as there has to be at least 8-10 teams that could use him.
Well, 2016 will be his 3rd and last option year, so one way or another he’ll be getting a shot next year. You’d have to guess the Nats will look to move him as a piece at the trade deadline so they don’t face the DFA Options battle this coming off-season.
Gotta say, the Nats 2015 draft is looking phenomenal thus far. Schrock, Stevenson. Wiseman, Hearn,Crownover, Glover are all off to good starts…and there’s still Tyler Watson and Blake Perkins yet to come. I know they may not all pan out, but it’s great to see espcially after some lackluster drafts the past 2-3 of years (outside of course, the roll the dice picks of Giolito and Fedde)
Don’t forget my man Andrew Lee! Yes, it is looking like a very healthy draft.
And Mariano Rivera. He’s had 2 solid outings so far. It took him almost 2 months to string together two scoreless outings in a row last year, so it’s promising to see him come out the gates strong this year.
I still hope Rivera gets another look as a starter. He was a starter in college and began as a starter at Auburn last year but got sent to the ‘pen after three starts (ending up with five saves).
We’ve also left out the other guy from the draft (along with Stevenson and Glover) already promoted to Potomac, Ryan Brinley.
Brian Goodwin so far this season: fools’ gold or clicked the switch and playing to bis pote tial?
I think we should wait at least 100PA and until mid-May before promoting anyone, barring injury. With that said…
Syracuse: Jordan knows how to pitch and he is in a competition that will be both fun to watch and ongoing, so long as the starters remain healthy. Let’s just enjoy how it plays out. Goodwin is a pleasant surprise, if not that much of a surprise. So is Solis. But that bats have fallen to earth. 10 K’s, yecch.
Harrisburg: Speaking of the bad old days, so many performers reverting, and 10 more K’s there. When Pleffner makes an error, the wheels have come off.
Potomac: Wirkin on the hot seat.
Hagerstown: Crownover carries it over. Gutierrez going to really benefit a lot statistically from having rock and Robles ahead of him, and Robles stealing bases.