Monday’s News & Notes

Syracuse 4 Rochester 2
• Nolin (L, 1-2) 5IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K
• Bonnell 1⅓ IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 1-1 IR-S
• Joseph 3-4, 2-2B, RBI
• Bautista 1-2, R, 2B, SB, HBP

Rochester had runners on base in seven of nine “ups,” with the leadoff man on four times but could only push across two runs in a 4-2 loss to Syracuse. Red Wings starter Sean Nolin turned in five innings of two-run on four hits and two walks. He struck out four in his second loss of 2021. Corban Joseph singled once and doubled twice to lead the eight-hit, two-walk offense. Roster moves: OF Andrew Stevenson assigned Washington for MLB rehab.

Somerset 3 Harrisurg 0
• Reyes (L, 5-5) 5⅔ IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, HR
• Bartow 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Wiseman 2-4, 2K
• Banks 2-4, 1K
• 0-6 RISP, 10 LOB

The series ended with back-to-back shutouts of the Senators by the Patriots, the latest by a 3-0 count yesterday afternoon. Luis Reyes pitched into the sixth and let in the first two Somerset runs on five hits (one HR) and two walks to lose for the fifth time this season. Matt Cronin was also taken deep for the third and final run. Rhett Wiseman and Nick Banks both went 2-for-4 but the rest of the lineup was 2-for-25 as the offense was shut out for the twelfth time this season. Roster moves: RHP Diego Moreno assigned from Washington (MLFA).

Rome 9 Wilmington 4
• Troop (L, 4-2) 5⅔ IP, 11H, 5R, 5ER, BB, 6K, HR
• Pineda 2-4, 2R, 2HR, 3RBI, E(4)
• Upshaw 1-3, R, HR, RBI

Likewise, for the second straight game, the longball masked an impotent Wilmington offense as all four runs came via the long ball in a 9-4 thrashing by Rome. Alex Troop pitched a season-high five and 2/3rds innings but was strafed for 11 hits (one HR) as he allowed five runs and a walk. He struck out six while losing for the second time in four starts. Israel Pineda hit HRs nos. eight and nine and drove in three while Armond Upshaw hit his fifth as the Blue Rocks only managed one other hit (a single by Drew Mendoza).

Salem 4 Fredericksburg 3
• C. Romero (L, 0-2) 4⅓ IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K
• B. Peña 3⅓ IP, 6H, R, ER, 0BB, 4K, 3-2 IR-S
• Méndez 1-3, R, HR, SF, 2RBI, 2 OF assist @ 2B
• G. Diaz 1-3, R, 2B

The F-Nats offense stalled in the clutch again as they were hitless in five RISP chances in a 4-3 loss to Salem in the series finale. Carlos Romero ran into trouble in the middle innings, getting lifted with the bases loaded and one out in the 5th. Bryan Peña let one run on a single to the first batter he faced then gave up a sac fly that the Frederick defense turned into a double play. Ricardo Méndez drove in two with a solo HR and a sacrifice fly while Kevin Strohschein doubled in José Sánchez from first for the third F-Nats run in the 7th. Fredericksburg got the tying run into scoring position with a one-out double by Jake Randa but neither Sánchez nor Strohschein could come up with the equalizer.

FCL Nationals (3-2, T2nd FCL East)
We’re still trying to figure out how the FCL works. Details as to the whys and wherefores appear to have been printed on Jimmie Dimmick’s front lawn sign. Just about everything there is to find is from the perspective of “who’s playing” there instead of what’s changed from 2019.

There appears to be two off days per week, but the only day you can be sure of is Sundays. Last week, there was an off day on Wednesday. This week, it’s Tuesday. Next week? Monday. The week after that? Friday.

Seven-inning games appear to be on certain days, too, but it’s also not clear as to when or why (with 20 or 30 pitchers in camp, isn’t the point to look at as many as possible in an actual game over the next 2½ months?). This past week, it was Friday and Saturday. Will it be the same this week?