Thursday’s News & Notes — Playoff Edition
Both Potomac and Auburn lost Game One in their respective playoff series.
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Matchup |
| Potomac | Lost, 5-2 | @ Lynchburg, 6:30 p.m. | Crownover (5-9, 4.42) vs. C. Mejia (0-1, 6.00) |
| Auburn | Lost, 11-5 | @ Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m. | Niomar Gomez (2-1, 3.00) vs. McGee (7-3, 5.23) |
Lynchburg 5 Potomac 2
• Baez (L, 0-1) 5IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 1K, 0HR, WP
• Howard 3IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Banks 3-4, R, 2-2B, RBI
• Garcia 2-4, 2-2B
Joan Baez had just one bad inning. But, as usual, it was bad enough to put Potomac too far behind to catch up as they lost Game One, 5-2. Baez gave up all five runs in the 2nd inning on five hits to put the P-Nats in a 5-0 hole. He would throw three more scoreless innings and allow two more hits and one more walk. Hayden Howard kept the Hillcats at bay the rest of the way, but the P-Nats could only get single runs in the 3rd and 9th innings, as they hit into three double plays to negate the 11 hits they racked up. Nick Banks and Luis Garcia both doubled twice and combined for five hits total to lead the offense. Roster moves: C Jakson Reetz activated from 7-Day DL; C Matt Reistetter reassigned to Hagerstown.
Hudson Valley 11 Auburn 5
• Reyes (L, 0-1) 4⅓ IP, 10H, 7R, 7ER, BB, 2K
• Hernandez 1IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 1K, 2WP, 1-1 IR-S
• Rhinesmith 2-3, 2R, 2B, BB, RBI
• O’Connor 2-5, R, 2B, RBI
• Mendez 2-4
On paper, the Doubledays seemed to have it made against the Renegades with a AA pitcher throwing a rehab* start. But Hudson Valley retrieved their bounty from Luis Reyes with seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over four and 1/3 innings to take Game One, 11-5 and return home with two chances to win the second game they’ll need to advance to the NYPL Finals. Auburn got an early 1-0 lead when Jacob Rhinesmith went yard with two outs in the 1st. By the time the Doubledays could answer, it was 7-1. The offense racked up 12 hits, with Rhinesmith, Pablo O’Connor, Kyle Marinconz, and Ricardo Mendex each collecting two, but the ‘Days ‘pen couldn’t stop the bleeding and gave up four more before finally shutting the Renegades down over the last three innings.
* Not cool guys – especially in short-season ball.
Ironic that the Nats had two similar guys in playoff bump starts : Joan @17 Baez and Luis ” call me the breeze ” Reyes who face that org meeting post season question : starter or bullpen conversion .
We knew Grizzly Adams would
Scar the wobbling Nats bulllen following his SALE to St Louie!!
NP coffee / hookie lounge : what is the projection of Rhinesmiths power potential or is he destined to craft a private ale line with his name ??
Not cool at all that Reyes parachuted in to get the start, or that he got pounded. They’ve already committed him to the AFL, so why impose him on a team that has fought together all (half) season?
For those wondering why I’m not keen on Reyes or Baez, remember this day. Reyes in particular just got destroyed, by a low-A lineup.
Good job by some of the hitters stepping up. Rhinesmith and O’Connor in particular look like finds. (Also curious that Mendez got the start in CF over Wilson, who is a much better hitter.) Garcia and Banks both had strong games for the P-Nats.
KW. Short season Low A ball. Reyes lives off his heater . Lives is not the right verb
We’ve been throwing good money after bad with both Baez and Reyes for a while now. Alastre too, to a lesser extent.
Yes I agree. I’m not high on Alastre, Baez, or Reyes. I think all 3 are organizational depth honestly and slightly overrated. None are Top 30 prospects in this organization in my opinion. I think Baez has the highest ceiling because he is hard throwing and if he gets control and command down could be a solid reliever. But I wouldn’t bet on any of them. Alastre still only 20 and young for level will maybe figure it out. I think all three are inconsistent.
he had two previous rehab starts at Auburn, as well as two in the GCL. hardly qualifies as high crimes and misdemeanors
Oh how sorry I feel for Austen Williams after a great year in AAA and not allowing a home run in 68 innings in the minors, he gives up 3 solos in one inning against the Cardinals. He really struggled. But I think it may be an anomaly and nerves. The minor league line I think is too good to think this is who he is in bigs. Just needs to adjust to better hitters. I hope they try him again in a leverage spot. We will see.
Kyle McGowin in his first big league appearance out of bullpen gave up a solo last night as well. Here go the Nationals messing up something good. McGowin has not pitched out the bullpen all year and you put him there in big leagues when he has dominated this year as a starter. Let that man start or don’t bring him up in my opinion. Fedde might be much more touted but he did not have a better year than McGowin. Fedde has proven nothing at big league level yet. Nats reading prospect lists. Start McGowin and Fedde out of pen.
Also congrats are in order to Ian Sagdal who won the Carolina League batting title at .318.
And for Kyle McGowin who was the overall minor league leader in whip at .90, McGowin finished the season with the best WHIP of any minor league qualifying starter in full season ball. That is super impressive.