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Thursday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Pitching Matchup
Fresno Lost, 2-1 @ Tacoma, 10:05 p.m. McGowan (0-0, -.–) vs. Cloyd (1-2, 4.37)
Harrisburg Lost, 6-1 @ Akron, 10:35 a.m. Tetreault (2-1, 3.79) vs. Civale (2-0, 3.27)
Potomac Lost, 12-4 @ Down East, 7:00 p.m. Raquet (2-5, 6.39) vs. Villegas (0-2, 5.14)
Hagerstown Lost, 2-1 vs. Kannapolis, 7:05 p.m. Alastre (3-3, 5.89 vs. McClure (1-2, 3.25)

Tacoma 2 Fresno 1
• Hoover (L, 2-1) 5+ IP, 4H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 2K, HR
• Alvarez 2⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Kieboom 2-4, R, HR, RBI, 2E
• Stevenson 2-4
• 0-for-6 RISP, 7 LOB

Fresno dropped its second straight and back to .500 with a 2-1 loss to Tacoma. All the offense came in the 6th inning, with Carter Kieboom hitting his 8th for a solo HR for the Grizzlies in the top half and Ryan Court answering with a two-run HR in the bottom half. J.J. Hoover took the loss as the HR came after the first of two Kieboom errors, rendering one of the two runs unearned. Hoover gave up four hits total and two walks over five-plus innings while striking out two. Fresno got the tying run three times in the late innings but stranded two runners while old friend Wilmer Difo was thrown out trying to steal second in the 9th. Kieboom and Andrew Stevenson both went 2-for-4 to lead the Grizzlies offense.
From the Fresno PR folks – the loss was the first this season in which the Grizzlies pitchers allowed three runs or fewer.

Akron 6 Harrisburg 1
• Crowe (L, 4-3) 6IP, 4H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 7K, HR, WP
• Bourque 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Garcia 2-4, 2B
• Davidson 2-4, RBI

Will the real Wil Crowe please stand up? please stand up? Likewise for the Senators, as the Nats’ AA contingent lost its fourth straight and fifth in six games, 6-1 to the RubberDucks. Crowe was hit hard again, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks, though he got the Drakes seven times on strikes. After a 3-0, 0.96 month of April, Crowe is 1-3, 6.14 in May. Luis Garcia singled and doubled while Austin Davidson went 2-for-4 with an RBI. The rest of the lineup went 0-for-24 with four walks.
Roster moves: UT Adrián Sanchez optioned from Washington.

Down East 12 Potomac 4
• Borne (L, 1-3) 3IP, 10H, 9R, 8ER, BB, 3K, HR, 2HBP
• Romero 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Corredor 2-5, 2R, 2RBI
• Franco 1-3, R, BB

Potomac gave up double digits for the 8th time this season and took back the lead for the most earned runs allowed in the Carolina League with a 12-4 demolition by Down East. Grant Borne took his third loss with nine runs let in on ten hits, one walk, and two hit batsmen over three innings. Aldrem Corredor singled twice, scored twice, and drove in two to lead the P-Nats attack.

Kannapolis 2 Hagerstown 1
• Peguero (L, 2-3) 6IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, 2WP
• Fletcher 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Lara 3-4, R
• Jo. Sanchez 1-3, E(7), G(13)

The Suns lost for the 11th time in 18 one-run games as the Intimidators took this one, 2-1. Francys Peguero notched his eighth start with two earned runs or fewer and fourth quality start with both Kannapolis runs allowed on four hits and two walks while fanning five in six innings pitched. He was rewarded with his third loss. Hagerstown was limited to five hits and two walks, with Gilbert Lara collecting three of them and scoring the lone run.
Roster moves: LHP Tim Cate placed on the 7-day I.L.; RHP Jacob Howell activated from 7-day I.L.

13 Commments

  1. Blah. What a comprehensively terrible day.

    The only silver linings I see are the continued strong performance of Francys Peguero. Even Kieboom’s torrid current stretch at the plate is tempered by two errors at SS (Argh! I thought we’d finally agreed his future was at 2B!!).

    In addition to Kieboom’s defensive frustrations, Cody Wilson found himself yet again at the top of Hagerstown’s lineup, after getting a much needed game on the bench. And he returned to form, going hitless. His average now sits at .177 including .118 over the past 10 games. I’m amazed at the stubborness of the manager to keep playing your worst hitter in the lead off spot.

    Likewise, in Fresno, Yadiel Hernandez, with his 1.000+ OPS can’t buy a start! He’s now been used as a pinch hitter in 4 of Fresno’s past 8 games.

    The decision-making in this organization is endemic.

    1. Let’s not fault the manager for placing Cody Wilson as lead off every day. That lineup comes from the brain trust in DC. And let’s remember the minor leagues are for player development. Obviously they have something in mind if they continue to play him there and allow him to struggle. Seen it many times!
      As for Yadiel, as long as Stevenson is there doing his MLB rehab, he will sit the bench. That’s just how it is!

      1. Why? Colin Cowgill is older and less successful than Hernandez and still starting!

  2. Let me preface my remarks by saying that I don’t wish ill career developments on anyone. Just looking at the Potomac pitching line yesterday, though, and pondering the recent Bogucki release. Howard was taken in the same draft and has had a very similar career trajectory. But he’s left-handed. Borne has worse numbers than either of them. But he’s left-handed. Just sayin’. Maybe Cate’s IL stint delays a tough decision up the line at Potomac a little longer. Fletcher also looks ready to move up. They’re both left-handed.

    1. Look no further than Wander Suero for a tale of relief pitcher development paths. At this time of Suero’s age 24 season, he was posting solid but unextraordinary numbers in Potomac. It wasn’t until two seasons later that something really clicked with him.

  3. Boy, it sure looks like Potomac could use a starting pitcher or two or three. There definitely needs to be some movement back and forth with the PNats and Hagerstown.

  4. Will — the better comp might be Grace, a lefty who was a very mediocre starter in the lower minors for several seasons before they switched him to relieving, where he was (and still is) only somewhat mediocre. But he’s a lefty, so he’ll be employed forever. (Is it too late to sue my parents for not forcing me to throw left-handed?)

    1. Question of the day: can either of the best the Marlins. My guess is no.

      1. Rizzo going to continue to caulk the big club like a leaky basement or do a complete re- do job or is Lerner going to make heads roll??
        Bring Knorr in the door , Ted!

    1. What ought to strike most people is that the “other” McGowan was born, raised, and went to college in New Hampshire (Franklin Pierce University, D2).

  7. More kindling in the fire for YH to get bump up to Big fourth place club
    Tapani pitched in emergency A innings or has collective minds thought better to put Tapani into 1-4 IP A slot ?

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