Tuesday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Matchup |
| Fresno | Lost, 3-2 (9 inn.); Lost, 6-1 |
vs. El Paso, 9:35 p.m. | McGowan (1-0, 1.80) vs. McGrath (2-1, 6.38) |
| Harrisburg | Won, 4-3 | vs. New Hampshire, 6:30 p.m. | Tetreault (2-2, 4.68) vs. Murphy (3-4, 3.14) |
| Potomac | Won, 6-2 | OFF DAY | N/A |
| Hagerstown | Lost, 2-1 | @ Delmarva, 7:05 p.m. | Tapani (2-3, 4.45) vs. Fenter (3-1, 2.17) |
El Paso 3 Fresno 2 (9 inn.) – GAME ONE
• Voth 6⅔ IP, 3H, R, ER, BB, 6K
• Bacus 1⅓ IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 2BB, 0K
• Alvarez (L, 0-3) 1IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 0K
• Noll 1-3, R, 2B, BB, RBI, 2E (7,8)
• Stevenson 1-3, RBI
All five runs came in the final three innings as the Chihuahuas nipped the Grizzlies, 3-2 in nine. Austin Voth registered his first quality start of the year with one run allowed on three hits and a walk while striking out six. the loss went to Henderson Alvarez3 as he let in the free runner on a hit and a walk in the 9th. Fresno was limited to five hits total, with Jake Noll the sole batter to reach base twice with a double and a walk.
El Paso 6 Fresno 1 – GAME TWO
• Ondrusek (L, 1-1) 3⅓ IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 2K, HR, WP
• Mills 1⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 4K, 2-0 IR-S
• J. Wilson 2-2, BB, RBI
• Gushue 1-3, 2B
In the nightcap, El Paso struck for three in the 3rd against spot starter Logan Ondrusek and cruised to a 6-1 win to sweep the doubleheader. Ondrusek gave up the aforementioned three runs on six hits and two walks while fanning two over three and a 1/3rd innings. Jacob Wilson reached base three times with two singles and a walk and drove in the lone Fresno run as the Grizzlies were again held to just five hits.
Roster moves: RHP George Kontos activated from the reserve list; LHP Vidal Nuño released.
Harrisburg 4 Reading 3
• Crowe (W, 5-3) 7⅓ IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 5K, WP; 1-2, R, HR, 2RBI, SAC
• Barrett (SV, 10) 1⅔ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 2-1 IR-S
• Goeddel 1-3, R, 2B
• Sardinas 2-3, 2R, RBI
Highlighted by Wil Crowe’s two-run HR, Harrisburg snapped a 1-1 tie with a three-run 7th and held off Reading for a 4-3 win to take the series finale. Crowe pitched into the 8th for the first time in his career and was charged with all three Phils runs on eight hits and a walk as he won his fifth game. Aaron Barrett let in one of two inherited runners in the 8th and pitched a scoreless 9th to earn his 10th save. Luis Sardinas led the Sens hit column with two singles and scored twice.
Roster moves: RHP Sterling Sharp placed on the 7-day I.L. retroactive to May 25.
Potomac 6 Frederick 2
• Teel 4⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 6K, 60-47 PIT-K
• Pantoja 1⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K
• Howard (W, 1-1) 1IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Agustin 2-3, R, 2B, BB
• Upshaw 2-4, R, 3B
The P-Nats bats came to life in the 7th as they sent nine men to the plate and six of ’em in for a 6-2 win to split the four-game series. Carson Teel got the start, but apparently on a pitch count, was lifted with one out in the 5th as he put on just one baserunner (hit) and struck out six. The win went to Hayden Howard with a scoreless top of the 7th. Nick Banks smacked a three-run HR while Aldrem Corredor went deep for two; both HRs came with two outs. Every Potomac batter collected a hit in the 11-hit parade.
Delmarva 2 Hagerstown 1
• Peguero (L, 2-4) 5IP, 8H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 5K
• Brasher 3IP, 4H, 0R, BB, 3K
• Mendez 1-3, OF assist at 2B
• C. Wilson 1-4, R, 2B
Francys Peguero’s conditioning for pitching well only to be let down by [X] no offense [X] poor defense [ ] shitty bullpen continued with a 2-1 loss to Delmarva. Peguero scattered eight hits over five innings and was charged with both (unearned) Shorebird runs to lose for the fourth time. Jared Brasher tossed three more scoreless to keep things close, but just one of the three (3) Suns hits went for extra bases as Cody Wilson’s double with one out in the 6th was converted to a run with the help of a wild pitch to break up the shutout.
Just bringing yesterday’s conversation about Self and Bacus to today…
The reason I would be hesitant to promote Bacus and Self is Jake Noll. The Nationals got too excited about a few meaningless ST games, and promoted Noll over several more deserving players with better track records, and now we’re stuck with Noll unnecessarily taking a spot on the 40 man roster without any future in DC in sight.
He’s good enough that we can’t just release him, but useless enough that we can’t rely on him when other infielders get injured.
If we promote Self and Bacus, we’d have to cut 2 players from the 40 man. One of whom could likely be Noll himself. Then if they don’t perform, DFA them in place of some relievers who can. I guess at their advanced ages that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. But I would be hesitant to have to make more rash decisions (see: Austin Adams’ DFA, who now sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP with 11 K, 2BB, 3 H in 6.1 IP for Seattle). Especially when those making those decisions and managing the players have squandered chance after chance.
Speaking of Adams, are we ever going to see Nick Wells? Potomac’s rotation is awful with Raquet (6.38 ERA), Pena (7.45 ERA) and Borne (6.63 ERA). Wells, who himself appears to have maxed out in A+, would at least be a useful addition to the depth. But then again Fletcher, Stoeckinger, Cate and Irvin are equally deserving of a spot in Potomac’s rotation.
Self and Bacus are 29 and 28 years old. It’s time, and sometime this year the f.o. will have to see what they have.
These guys can’t pitch any better.
There was a risk, but if the Nats did DFA Noll, he would likely end up back with the Nats as it’s doubtful another team would want to tying up a 40 man roster spot with Noll.
What is the nature of Sterling Sharp’s injury?
A team like the Orioles, Marlins, Tigers, Royals, Giants, etc. would happily dedicate a 40 man roster spot to a player like Noll.
Agreed.
We don’t know that he’s injured. We only know that he was placed on the injured list. The Nats kinda sorta have a long history of using that list for procedural maneuvers.
Speaking of Adam Dunn, Luke, Orange donning Aaron’s old number
Orange must be on Sens to fill the vacuum of Ward in lineup
Rizzo kicking the tires on Fernando Rodney ??
Of course. He has MLB experience and has been released by another team. That seems to be the criteria.
Rodney’s selling used cars?
Good bounce-back start for Crowe, and good to see him get stretched out deep into a game.
Scherzer needs to take a cue from Crowe. If your team isn’t going to give you run support, then make it yourself!
RE: Noll, I’m still trying to figure that one out. The Nats FO has seen others have great ST and then do poorly in the regular season. Anyone hear of Michael Taylor? I believe the Nats will be forced to take Noll off the 40 man once we get to trade season and no one will be interested in taking him for their 40 man roster. I’ve never seen a player only play the 2nd half in AA and make the Nats roster the next season. He certainly could have used some.additional time in HBG and even more in Freso. It’s just one more dumb move Rizzo and his staff have made.
Let the debate begin
Jung from Texas Tech or the Spencer rifle behind the plate who would cause many of us to watch the games just to see him evolve like a Pudge lite
June draft nearing
well, adios, Nuno.
Lets see. gazing into the crystal ball…Rizzo still has his extension from Lerner family. Does brass empty the Staruday night special chambers and reload with
clever packages bartered on Rendon, and SS or Max?? Jung drafted in draft or the Baylor catcher. ??
this draft and next crucial after this campaign of injuries and under expectation ( whatever words work here ) in fourth place.
Who is advising Rizzo on the bullpen models having their tires kicked @ F-troop and Burg?