Thursday’s News & Notes
GCL Nationals lose GCL Finals, 2-1
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Probable Pitchers |
| Auburn | Won, 6-3 | @ Batavia, 6:05 p.m. |
Johnston (0-2, 3.10) vs. Mateo (3-3, 3.04) |
| GCL Nationals | Lost, 5-4 | END OF SEASON |
Auburn 6 Batavia 3
• Crowe 3IP, 4H, R, ER, 0BB, 2K, HR
• Ja. Johnson (W, 1-2) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Je. Baez 3-4, 3R, 2B, HR, 2RBI
• Martinez 2-2, 2B, 2BB
• Pryor 2-4, BB, RBI
Auburn broke through for three in the 6th to turn a 2-1 edge into a 5-1 lead as they doubled up Batavia, 6-3. Wil Crowe gave up a homer and four hits total over three innings. He walked none and struck out two. The win went to Jared Johnson, who followed with three scoreless innings with one it, no walks, and two whiffs. After two ineffective innings by Daniel Butler and David Smith, Jared Brasher cordero’d around a hit and a walk in the 9th to earn his second save. Jeyner Baez was a triple shy of the cycle while Andres Martinez reached base four times with a single, double, and two walks to lead the Doubledays offense.
GCL Yankees East 5 GCL Nationals 4
• Acevedo 4IP, 3H, 3R, 0ER, BB, 3K, PO
• Jimenez 3IP, 1H, R, ER, BB, K, HR
• Adler (L, 0-1) 2IP, 3H, R, ER, IBB, K
• Gutierrez 1-3, 2R, BB
• Connell 1-3, BB, RBI
• 1-for-10 RISP, 8 LOB
An error with two outs in the top of the 2nd loaded the base for the G-Yankees East and they cashed in the extra out for three unearned runs to take a 3-0 lead. The GYE returned the favor with four walks and a passed ball in the bottom of the 2nd for the first two G-Nats runs and two walks and an error in the bottom of the 3rd for the last two G-Nats runs. The third GYE pitcher, 19-y.o. Luis Rijo, no-hit the G-Nats for five and a 1/3rd innings to enable the GYE offense to tie it at 4-4 in the 7th on a Jose Carrera homer, then take a 5-4 lead in the 9th.
The G-Nats got the tying and winnings runs on in the bottom of the 9th on a Justin Connell single and an error. A failed bunt resulted in a 1-5 putout for the first out and Ricardo Mendez’s fourth whiff pushed the G-Nats to the brink. Luis Garcia singled to load the bases but Yasel Antuna struck out to end it. Carlos Acevedo started and was charged with the first three GYE runs on three hits and a walk over four innings. Jose Jimenez worked around a walk in the 5th, set the side down in order in the 6th, and gave up the tying run in the 7th. Sean Adler had a scoreless 8th but was touched for the gamewinner on three hits and an intentional walk in the 9th.
Offensively, the G-Nats were held to four singles but drew six walks. Kelvin Gutierrez and Justin Connell both went 1-for-3 with a walk, with Gutierrez scoring twice and Connell driving in a run.
Too bad for the GCL Nats, but at least they got some experience in a competitive series.
It’s interesting that they used Gutierrez in all the games but not Soto. Maybe they’re only allowed one rehabbing ringer? I’m still not sure what to think about Gutierrez. He had a pretty decent overall slash line in his half season at Potomac this year (.288/.347/.414), but he’s still shown NO HR power (7 homers in nearly 1,500 minor-league plate appearances), and I just don’t see how he makes it at a corner position with that little pop. He’s certainly got the frame to generate more power, a point that has probably confounded multiple hitting coaches throughout the organization.
I think Soto did not play because he injured himself again.
Is there info on Soto being hurt again? Or just concern that he is?
I hope the Nats have made appropriate plans to get everyone out of West Palm. Guess we’re about to find out how well-built the new stadium is.
Soto tweaked a hamstring and they shut him down. I believe I read that in the Washington Post.
Estarlin Martinez. AFL should provide KelvinG some repetitions .
Let’s see how the guy responds .
Now the off season chatter begins on all the kids.
Great season, Luke. Great efforts
Anderson Franco showing future promise with his extra base hit
Potential
We all know the philosophy Patrick Anderson places in his squads. 4-5 outfield rotation. He can use Ortiz and Scudder at 1b.
Phil Caufeld and Cole Freeman could be mixed in with PP and Boggetto.
Could be wrong, but I think the Nats just called up Victor Robles to the MLB team. Didn’t see that coming. Wow.
you’re not wrong, wow is right
Looking through a small lens into outfield future with Robles up, Stevenson back and awaiting Goodwin back.
Kudos to Chance Shepard for his output @ Auburn and versatility for Hagerstown next spring .
We know how many clean up hitters Anderson went through this past season
I didn’t see that one coming, either. I had him ticketed for coming up June-July 2018 at the earliest. Curious. Good for him, though.
🙁 No more minors.