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Wednesday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Pitching Matchup
Fresno OFF DAY vs. Iowa, 10:05 p.m. Ross (0-0, 3.86) vs. Clifton (1-5, 4.04)
Harrisburg Won, 6-2 @ Richmond, 6:35 p.m. Braymer (3-4, 2.86) vs. Williams (1-6, 4.50)
Potomac Lost, 1-0 vs. Down East, 7:05 p.m. M. Peña (4-3, 6.22) King (0-0, 1.67)
Hagerstown Won, 4-3; Won, 6-5 vs. Lakewood, 7:05 p.m. Irvin (4-3, 4.61) Mezquita (2-4, 5.18)

Fresno – OFF DAY
After a 4-3 road trip, the Grizzlies are going back to Cali (to Cali, to Cali) to play the Cubs for three, then the Storm Chasers for four. Through 64 games, Fresno is 17-17 at home, 15-15 on the road, and 5-5 over its last 10 games.

Harrisburg 6 Richmond 2
• Tetreault 2+ IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 5BB, 4K
• Condra-Bogan (W, 3-1) 3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 4K, 2-1 IR-S
• Guilbeau (H, 8) 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, K, WP
• Baez (SV, 5) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• Garcia 2-4, 2R, 2B, BB
• Barrera 3-5, R, 2B, RBI
• Bichette 2-5, 2B, RBI

The Senators reduced their magic number to one with a 6-2 win over the Flying Squirrels. Jackson Tetreault came off the I.L. but might be going right back as he walked five over two-plus innings and gave up two run on two while striking four. He threw 63 pitches to 13 batters. Jacob Condra-Bogan picked up the win with three scoreless innings though he did let one of two inherited runners while giving up a hit, no walks, and fanning four. Taylor Guilbeau notched his eighth hold with two goose eggs while Joan Baez was perfect for both the 8th and the 9th for his fifth save. Harrisburg led from start to finish as the offense broke out for four in the 1st and one in the 2nd to take a 5-0 lead. Luis Garcia walked, singled, and doubled while Tres Barrera returned to action with two singles and a double to lead the Sens’ 13-hit parade.
Roster moves: RHP Jackson Tetreault, C Tres Barrrera activated from the 7-Day I.L.; RHP Tyler Mapes placed on 7-Day I.L, retroactive to June 6; C Jake Lowery placed on the 7-Day I.L., retrorctive to June 8.

Down East 1 Potomac 0
• Lee (L, 2-4) 6IP, 3H, R, ER, BB, 7K
• Reyes 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Freeman 1-3, BB
• Agustin 1-3, BB, SB

Potomac was shut out 1-0 on three hits to even the series 1-1. A leadoff triple came in on a grounder to third with one out that the P-Nats couldn’t convert into a double play. Andrew Lee was otherwise brilliant again, striking out seven over six innings with three hits and a walk allowed. He was rewarded with his fourth loss. Offensively, the P-Nats were held to three singles and four walks, with Cole Freeman and Telmito Agustin the only two batter to reach base twice.
With the North Division taking on the South instead of the California League, five Potomac Nationals were named to 2019 Carolina League All-Star game.

Hagerstown 4 Lakewood 3 – GAME ONE
• Adon (W, 5-2) 5IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 6K, HR
• Guillen (SV, 3) 2IP, 3H, R, ER, 0BB, 1K
• Wilson 2-3, 2B, CS
• Rhinesmith 2-3, R, 2B, CS

A three-run 4th, highlighted by Israel Pineda’s fourth HR put the Suns up 3-2 after four innings and they held on for a 4-3 win in the opener. Joan Adon gave up a double and a two-run HR over five innings with two walks and six whiffs to earn his fifth win. Angel Guillen earned his third save with a run allowed on three hits over the final two frames. Cody Wilson and Jacob Rhinesmith both singled, doubled, and were caught stealing to lead the Hagerstown hit column.

Hagerstown 6 Lakewood 5 – GAME TWO
• Cate 5IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 6K, PO at 1B
• Brasher (W, 1-0) ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 2-0 IR-S
• Lara 2-3, R, 3B, BB, 2RBI
• Connell 2-4, 3R, 2B, HR, RBI
• Kyle Marinconz 1-3, R, HR, 3RBI

The Suns completed the sweep with another one-run win as Kyle Marinconz walked off the BlueClaws with a three-run HR in the 7th. Justin Connell led off the final frame with a double for his second hit of the game while Gilbert Lara did likewise with a single. A popup and a strikeout put Hagerstown on the verge of defeat before Marinconz went yard with his third big fly. The comeback made a winner out of Jared Brasher, who stranded two while getting the last out in the top of the 7th. Tim Cate got the start but was strafed eight hits and the first four Lakewood runs over five innings, though he did set down six on strikes and did not issue a walk.

15 Commments

    1. Very good sign Difo hitting the ball to LF. Inside the park. That’s a first in Nats farm this summer

  2. Luis Garcia’s bat is starting to show life as he is hitting .366 on his last 10 games. That said, he has no HRs on the season and only 3 steals. Not exactly flashing all 5 tools right now, but he is more than 5 years younger than Eastern League average, hopefully those tools will blossom.

  3. I see that Connell has been added to the Nats Top 30 prospects list. He’s certainly been a much better later round “bonus baby” than Upshaw.

  4. Yes, it does look like Garcia is starting to figure things out, although you do still have to wonder whether he was pushed up the chain a little too aggressively.

    Another strong start from Andrew Lee, who probably needs/deserves to move up sooner rather than later, maybe after the all-star game (same with Freeman and maybe Banks). Adon continues to look solid. Rhinesmith is quietly putting together a good season at Hags, albeit without much HR pop yet. I guess he would figure to be the next OF to move up the conga line. Connell is also acquitting himself well in Hagerstown, solid progress for a HS draftee.

  5. I was just mentioning Connell at the same time Karl was posting. I’ll admit, I was skeptical of the signing money that both Connell and Upshaw got. Connell seems to be panning out, though.

  6. Nice work by the Harrisburg bullpen to pick up Jackson Tetreault, who is clearly not right (control problems are unusual for him). I’m a little surprised LeCroy never called on Justin Miller last night.

  7. Talk about a slap in the face to Cole Freeman. The Nats just signed a 26 y.o. failed prospect hitting .330/.370/.455 in about 100 games in the independent leagues to Harrisburg and they go an use him at a position, 2B, that he has NEVER PLAYED BEFORE IN HIS 9 YEAR CAREER. Instead of promoting a recent 4th round draft pick who’s hitting an impressive .312/.405 /.409 with 14 SB and solid defense in Potomac right now.

    Last year I was totally on board with the club’s logic with regards to the farm system, but I have to admit they’ve completely lost me this year. We’re seeing promotions with no merit, players performing well wallowing away at levels several years beneath them with, and heaps of desperate signings of washed up MiLB free agents that create unnecessary blockages of legitimate prospects.

    It seems to me Rizzo & co. have thrown logic out the window this season as they realize their window is quickly shutting and their roster construction is yet again deeply flawed. It’s strange, two seasons ago I’d have advocated for Rizzo as one of the best GMs in baseball and now, having repeated the same mistakes over and over again, I’m considering whether he deserves to keep his job.

    1. Look for moves once the Potomac all star break is over. Historically, that’s when the moves are made. Well said Will! I also don’t understand what the Nats FO staff are thinking. Jacob Wilson should have been given a chance. Could he have done any worse than Jake Noll? I think not! Jake will be off the 40 man long before the season ends. I think he needed a little more time in AA. You think the Nats would have learned their lesson about breakout spring trainings. That’s Michael Taylor every year!
      Glad Fedde is getting his chance and shining! He lost out last season when AJ Cole was out of options. We all know how that turned out. It’s time the Nats FO staff open their eyes and look at the valuable players they have in their farm system!

  8. I’m still upset we lost Jacob Wilson. He was tearing AAA up. Woulda been nice to see him in the show once.

    Where is Reid Schaller? Guy was a high college pick a year ago and your telling me he is not good enough to start the year in full season ball…

    Also Istler needs to at least be in AA

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