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Monday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Won, 2-1 (10 inn.) @ Pawtucket,
7:05 p.m.		 Espino (3-6, 3.50) vs.
O’Sullivan (4-2, 3.38)
Harrisburg Won, 4-1 OFF DAY N/A
Potomac Won, 4-3 (11 inn.) ALL-STAR BREAK N/A
Hagerstown Lost, 3-2 ALL-STAR BREAK N/A
Auburn Lost, 14-3 vs. Mahoning Valley,
7:05 p.m.		 Y. Ramirez (2-6, 2.75 @ DSL in ’15) vs.
L. Jimenez (3-5, 5.01 @ AZL in ’15)


Syracuse 2 Columbus 1 (10 inn.)
• Long 7IP, 5H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Davis (W, 5-2) 1IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 0K
• Martinson 2-4, 2K
• Lombardozzi 1-4, 2B, BB, RBI

The Chiefs rallied for two in the bottom of the 10th to end a seven-game losing streak and take the series finale, 2-1. It also transformed Erik Davis’s “L” to a “W” as he gave up the Clippers’ go-ahead run in the top of of the 10th. Jaron Long (7IP), Bryan Harper (1IP), and Rafael Martin (1IP) made the donuts in regulation, combining for six hits and one walk allowed and six strikeouts. A single, an RBI double by Steve Lombardozzi, a Trea Turner walk, and a sacrifice fly by Brian Goodwin got the job done, though Syracuse was held to five hits and five walks total over nine and 2/3rds innings.

Harrisburg 4 Reading 1
• Lopez (W, 2-5) 7IP, 5H, R, ER, 0BB, 13K
• Suero (SV, 1) 1⅓ IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 3-0 IR-S
• Soto 2-3, R, HR, BB, RBI
• Collier 2-3, R

Reynaldo Lopez struck out 13 for the second time in three starts as Harrisburg took the game, 4-1 and the series 2-1 from Reading. The 22-y.o. Dominican issued no walks and gave up just the one run to the Fightins on five hits over seven innings for his second win. The Sens ‘pen did their best to test the hearts and/or stomachs of the fans and the manager (not necessarily respectively) as they loaded the bases in the 8th and and put on two in the 9th but stranded all five basrunners. Neftali Soto singled, walked, and homered to lead the Harrisburg offense. Roster moves: RHP Abel de Los Santos reassigned from Syracuse..

Potomac 4 Myrtle Beach 3 (11 inn.)
• Crownover 5IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 5K, HR
• Orlan 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Keller 3-5
• Read 2-4, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI

The P-Nats blew a 3-0 lead but prevailed in extras to take the series finale, 4-3 from the Pelicans and finish the first half at .500 (34-34). Matthew Crownover went the first five innings and gave up two runs on a two-out, two-run HR in his fifth and final inning. He walked three and struck out five while allowing four hits. The southpaw lost the possible “W” in the 8th when Wirkin “For The Weekend” Estevez let in the equalizer on two hits for a blown save, his first. A walk, a single, and a sacrifice in the 11th set up David Masters for the gamewinner, which he delivered with a single to center and the 12th Potomac hit of the game.

Greenville 3 Hagerstown 2
• Avila (L, 5-5) 5IP, 3H, 3R, 1ER, 3BB, 6K, HR
• Lambert 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Page 2-4, R, HR, RBI
• Davidson 2-3, BB

Hagerstown fell behind 3-0 early and fell short of tying the game in the 8th for a 3-2 loss to Greenville, slicing their margin of victory for the division title to the minimum of a half game. Pedro Avila allowed all three Drive runs on three hits and three walks over five innings to lose for the fifth time. Austin Davidson reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk while Matthew Page went 2-for-4 with a HR to lead the Suns offense.

Mahoning Valley 14 Auburn 3
• W. Pena (L, 0-1) 2⅔ IP, 4H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
• Conner ⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 0K, 2-0 IR-S
• A. Martinez 3-4, R, 2B, RBI
• Ripken 2-4, 2-2B, BB, 2RBI

The Scrappers scored in six of nine “ups” to destroy the Doubledays, 14-3. Starter Wilber Pena took the brunt of the beating with six runs allowed on four hits and two walks over two and 2/3rds innings. Andres Martinez led the hitters with two singles and a double and an RBI, followed by Ryan Ripken who doubled twice and walked once.

23 Commments

  1. Wow–that’s three 12+ K games for Lopez in his last four non-rain shortened starts. Looks like something has finally clicked for him and taken him to the next level. I originally thought he’d be prime trade bait this summer, but now it looks like he might be every bit as valuable, and hence untouchable, as Giolito.

    A 2017 rotation of Scherzer–Strasburg–Giolito–Lopez–Ross would certainly be fun to watch. With four of the five throwing in the high 90s, it might not even matter that they wouldn’t have a lefty in the rotation.

    1. I wonder if Lopez’s run, and his regular work deep into games, will put to rest the questions about whether he can stick as a starter. We’ll see. I share the concern that he’ll now be mentioned in every scrap of trade speculation.

  2. It also looks like De Los Santos is falling down the bullpen pecking order just at a time when the Nats could use another live arm. Placing him on the 40-man and blowing an option just so he could pitch two innings was one of several dumb desperation moves Rizzo made last year.

    Maybe Glover will indeed get his shot this season as KW suggested, as I’m not sure how much longer they can stick with Rivero, who really looks like he could use a few weeks at Syracuse to get his mojo back.

    1. Thanks for the shout-out. I immediately thought of Glover when I saw the de los Santos demotion. We’ll see. A more typical AAA type guy would be Andrew Robinson, who has pitched quite well at Harrisburg.

    2. There was a lot of very questionable roster management last season. Turner and Difo were very poorly handled as well.

      1. You can add de los Santos to that list as well. I’m sure they currently regret having him on the 40-man, but a young arm like that would be risky to get through a DFA.

  3. BA reported the Luzardo signing. I now have the Nats at + $158,774 with Dunning ( who apparently looked really good again last night in FLA’s loss), Banks, and Harris to go.

    1. I would guess that Harris is struggling with being told “$10K — like it or lump it,” or something to that effect. Banks has some legit ground to hold out for a little over slot. His Twitter already says “Washington Nationals organization,” though, so there’s no hint that he’s not going to sign.

    2. I love Banks demeanor and make up.
      Black under the eyes like Markakis.
      Competition is a good word in any
      Org department
      Digging the Latin starters getting
      run out every five days @ various levels .
      Wednesday in Aberdeen auburn should
      Run out Robbie Dickey
      All eyes on Y Ramirez tonight
      Besides the great matchup @ Chavez Ravine!

    3. My calculation has us $180.4k overslot so far.

      1. Kieboom – slot: $2,065,900, bonus: $2mil, difference +65900
      2. Dunning – slot: $2,034,600, bonus: NA, difference 0
      3. Neuse – slot: $1,107,000, bonus: $900k, difference: +207000
      4. Luzardo – slot $635,800, bonus: $1.4mil, difference -764200
      5. Banks – slot: $473,300, bonus: NA, difference 0
      6. Johnson – slot: $357,300, bonus: $325k, difference +32300
      7. Barrera – slot: $265,400, bonus: $210k, difference +55400
      8. Noll – slot: $198,900, bonus $150k, difference +48900
      9. Bogucki – slot: $177,700, bonus: $150k, difference +27700
      10. Harris – slot: $166,000, bonus: NA, difference 0
      11. Panacionne – slot: $156,600, bonus: $10k, difference +146600

      Signed: 8/11, total: -$180,400.

      I don’t know where the savings will come from. Banks is likely to be, at least, slot. Unless Dunning and Harris sign for significantly under slot, I don’t foresee how we’re going to make up that negative 180k AND accumulate several hundred thousand to make a push for some of the later round players who will demand bonuses of at least $400k.

      They must have really, really wanted Luzardo, because that $1.4m could have gone a long way to securing several late-round HSers.

      1. MLB and BA has Johnson’s slot amount at $354,300. BA has Noll signing for $190,000. You forgot to factor in the overage they can use without giving up draft picks, $381,774. Those changes give you the amount I have above.

        1. Looks like they are signing at least five guys at $500K or more(July 2). It should be fun! We’ll see what happens.

          A couple of Twitter reports have the Nats announcing they have signed 23 guys, including everyone in the top 10 other than Dunning and Banks.

          I still believe they will have enough to throw close to a million at someone post round 10. I’m not sure what Cooper and Upshaw will want, but I could see them both signing. McFarland is less likely. Noah Murdock is a dream. There are other HSers and interesting players. Let’s see if they can pull another Watson. (fingers crossed).

          I love what they have done so far, and it looks like July 2 could be even better (and I am not even factoring in the under the radar types they could find). A very nice haul for a team that is already a WS contender.

          I believe GCL starts Friday.

      3. Luzardo starts @ GCL where many DSL Latin
        Kids have of progresses from LH
        Banks will be best value in draft in four years .
        Anybody here going to Aberdeen on Wednesday ??

    4. Always check the DSL roster when
      Nats sign an arm. RE Hector Ramirez
      Who is 6’4″ RHP DR kid not old
      Reliever from 2001 Giants for Cuse .

  4. Hmmm
    Fair question : will we see Glover in DC
    Before AAron Barrett rehabs full 100 pct
    From surgery ??

  5. Still no word on the MIA Anderson Franco. My guess is that he was injured in XST, but his MLB.com page hasn’t been updated.

    The Nats are really lacking in quality beat reporter coverage. Ladson is particularly worthless as the MLB in house guy–keeping track of the minor league is supposed to be his beat. What exactly does he do all day except retype press releases and answer his mail bag once in awhile?

    1. Hence the need in drafting Neuse.
      Also Berrerra from UT played some
      Corner infield . Interesting .

    2. Frankly, you should probably take that up with Jamal Collier, new to the beat. Ladson is dialing back this year for health reasons, I believe. Larson’s analysis isn’t always spot on but I still like him because he’s more active on Facebook than other guys and has continuity with the Expos. Sadly, our market doesn’t have enough hardcore baseball fans yet to get more coverage of the minors, making this site and its commenters essential for minors heads.

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