Friday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Probables |
| Rochester | Won, 6-5 | @ Worcester, 6:45 p.m. | Adon (3-5, 4.46) vs. Drohan (2-4, 5.94) |
| Harrisburg | Lost, 5-3 | vs. Altoona, 6:30 p.m. | Parker (6-4, 4.97) vs. Sullivan (2-3, 4.25) |
| Wilmington | Lost, 11-7 | @ Brooklyn, 7 p.m. | Da. Díaz (0-4, 6.05) vs. Suárez (3-7, 6.02) |
| Fredericksburg | Lost, 12-0 | vs. Myrtle Beach, 7:05 p.m. | Denaburg (4-3, 9.55) vs. Kipp (2-6, 3.19) |
| FCL Nationals | Winning, 3-0 (Susp. 4th) |
vs. FCL Mets, 12 p.m. | |
| DSL Nationals | Lost, 7-3 | vs. DSL Miami, 10 a.m. |
Rochester 6 Worcester 5
• Ureña 5IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• Willingham (W, 3-1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• G. Moreno (SV, 7) 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Millas 3-3, 2R, BB, 2B, HR, RBI
• Rutherford 3-4, R, 2-2B(6)
• Alu 1-5, R, 2B
Erick Mejia’s two-run HR in the 9th was the difference as the Red Wings downed the (ugh) Woo Sox, 6-5. José Ureña went the first five and gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits (one HR) and two walks while striking out four. It was the 10th he’s given up four or more runs in 14 starts. Drew Millas also homered, doubled, walked, and singled twice to extend his hit streak to eight games while Derek Hill singled and stole his 15th base to extend his hit streak to 13 games.
Altoona 5 Harrisburg 3
• Troop (L, 3-8) 5⅓ IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 4K, HR, HBP, WP
• Schaller 1⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Harris 2-4, 2RBI
• Hassell 1-3, 2R, HR(5), RBI
Alex Troop went perhaps an inning too far as he gave up four in the 6th to lose a 2-1 lead as Altoona defeated Harrisburg, 5-3. Troop took back the Nats minors lead in losses with #8 with five runs let in on five hits (the last three on a HR) and a walk over five and a 1/3rd innings. Reid Schaller (1⅔ IP) and Malvin Peña (2IP) locked it down the rest of the way, but the Senators only got back one in the 8th. That was courtesy of Robert Hassell on his 5th HR in the while other III (Terone Harris) singled in two in the bottom of the 1st to lead the eight-hit, three-walk offense for Harrisburg.
Brooklyn 11 Wilmington 7
• Lord (L, 1-1) 1⅔ IP, 7H, 7R, 7ER, 1BB, 1K, HR, HBP
• C. Romero 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 3K
• Stehly 2-4, R, BB
• Boisserie 2-5, 2B, RBI
• Barley 1-2, 2R, 2BB, RBI, 2SB(21), E(15)
The Cyclones spun the Blue Rocks for nine runs in the 2nd and cruised to an 11-7 win over Wilmington. Brad Lord took the brunt of the beating, giving up seven runs on seven hits (one HR) and a walk over an inning and 2/3rds for his first High-A loss. The Blue Rocks drew nine walks, which enabled them to score seven times on seven singles and one double. Murphy Stehly reached base three times on two singles and a walk while Jordy Barley did the same on two walks and a safety.
Myrtle Beach 12 Fredericksburg 0
• Tolman (L, 0-2) 4IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 3K
• Witt 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Thomas 1-4, BB, 2B
• Emiliani 0-1, 3BB
The wheels came off the bus for Fredericksburg in the 6th and 7th innings as Myrtle Beach got six and runs, respectively, and shut out the FredNats, 12-0 on three hits. Erik Tolman went the first four and let in a run on two hits and a walk while striking out three. Paul Witt came off the bench to turn in the only scoreless inning in relief as the Pelicans had their way with Fredericksburg’s first three relievers for nine runs on 11 hits and three walks. Max Romero Jr. and Christopher De La Cruz both singled while Johnathan Thomas doubled to round out the FredNats assault.
FCL Nationals 3 FCL Astros 0 – SUSP.
• Polanco 3IP, 4H, 0R, 1BB, 0K, WP
• Antuna 1-2, R, HR, 3RBI
Lightning stopped the F-Nats and F-Astros in the top of the 4th, with the (*gasp*) FCL Nationals winning, 3-0. They’ll finish next mont, when the two teams meet again on Tuesday.
DSL Tigers 7 DSL Nationals 3
• H. Moreno 4IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 1K, WP
• E. Rivero (L, 1-6) 2⅔ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 3K, HBP, WP
• Cabrera 1-3, R, BB, RBI
• Liriano 1-1, R, BB, RBI
Roster moves: RHP Jose Hernandez (IFA signed 7/4) assigned from Washington.
Hassell’s dinger was a no doubter to right on a pitch up and in. in the previous at bat he turned on a first pitch fastball in and lined it just foul. this is what I have not seen him do much at all lately. his approach has seemed to be going the opposite way but you still have to be ready to turn on one if they bust you inside. maybe he’s getting healthy, will be interesting to watch his finish
FredMD I recall watching Larry Walker go through his growing pains at AAA with Leron Lee father to Derek Lee as hitting coach . Larry would work on going the other way than incorporating that pull habit .
Heaven is on Hassell s side . Angels are on his shoulders
Can the same be says for the starts at A plus and minus . Here we go again , Alice . Loogie Diaz takes the bump tonight
And this Friday ? Oh Lord !! ( have mercy upon us !)
Lol
pretty clean (and brief) outing for Tolman especially considering the beating the Pelicans’ have inflicted on the other FNats hurlers. mostly two pitches the first time through the lineup but broke out the change up and got a couple outs on it the second time through. at low nineties he needs that third pitch at least
A majestic ( Jon Miller ) HR by Hassell last night
Pride of Franklin TN
Millas keeps hitting. He’s now up to .278/.357/.444 in AAA and .302/.395/.479 for thr season.
Riley Adams’ bat has been a pleasant surprise this season in DC. Do the Nats dare demote the guy they just committed $50m to? Or do they concede Ruiz’s defence is so bad they move him to 1B?
Even if it might be for the best, I think there’s no chance Ruiz gets demoted. For one, he’s gotten hot recently, and Adams has been deserving of the starting catching role for months now without any changes, so a starting spot, much less a demotion out of the question. Still, Ruiz’s defence has been historically bad, whereas Millas’ is meant to be very good. Even if Millas can’t hit major league pitching well, a steady glove would quickly surpass Ruiz’s value this season. There’s also a gaping hole at 1B in DC, as well as a complete absence at every level in the farm system. Ruiz’s 8 year deal wouldn’t see him blocking a better bat any time soon. Plus, if Millas (and maybe layer Vega, who’s himself batting .278/.402/.333 in AA) can’t cut it in the majors, Ruiz can always move back behind the plate without any harm.
Still, it’s a rare good problem to have of too much depth. Hope this issue comes along more often.
Every year about 25 teams don’t have enough catching depth. Even with Pineda’s extensive absences the Nats are in terrific shape there.
The Nats traded for three of those four catchers at this time two years ago. Then Pineda improved dramatically last year.
Ruiz will be fine. His contact rate is ridiculously good (only 9.5% K), and he had positive defensive numbers last year. He seems to be pressing too much, and also perhaps overworked.
I’m guessing that they might move their #2 pick this year, 6′-4″ Yohandy Morales, from 3B (where they have House and Lipscomb) to 1B, where as you say, they have no one.
That is definitely the obvious move.
Morales has a strong arm so corner OF is also a possibility.
He’s a good problem to have.
I’m on the Blake Rutherford bandwagon. Trade Dickerson and call him up, even if it’s to platoon with Garrett. Rutherford currently at .361/.414/.567 at AAA. Across two levels, he has 11 homers and 18 doubles in 60 games. Those aren’t huge numbers, but considering that his career HR high is 13, he’s trending in the right direction.
Same. Rutherford could be another Meneses, albeit younger. Could be a DH/4th OF for a couple of years. I wouldn’t mind giving him a look at 1B, either.
Even if he fails, he’s earned a look this year.
Speaking of 1B, what do folks think of Travis Blankenhorn as a prospect?
Former Twins 3rd rounder now slashing .252/.357/.480 with 15 dingers. He’s 26 and hits left handed. If his power plays in the bigs, he could be a 1B stop-gap till Morales is ready.
I just realized my screename had accidentally changed, somehow, to Q, which is horrifying given the political connections to that letter!
Miguel Gomez and Moises Diaz, both RHPs, promot4ed from the rookie league to F-burg. I assume that means that we’ll start seeing some of the ’23 draft picks in West Palm soon. (Assuming they ever play a game again. Between the rain and the scheduled off days, it sure feels like they have an inordinate amount of days without games.)
Lipscomb has been playing 1B the last few games for the Sens.
I’ve compared Lipscomb to Michael Chavis a few times, and I think Lipscomb can be better, or at least make more consistent contact, in a super-utility role.
I wouldn’t discount Lipscomb at 2B, though. Garcia currently has a negative WAR and a sub-.300 OBP. There’s some concern that he’s following the Robles path. If he craters, the door is open for guys like Lipscomb and Alu at 2B. I really don’t think Baker has the pop to be a regular. (FWIW, I believe [off the top of my head] that Garcia is still younger than all of those guys. So he also has time to grow.)