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Wednesday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Pitching Probables
Rochester Lost, 2-1 @ Buffalo, 6:35pm Ogasawara (1-1, 4.80) vs. Macko (0-3, 9.22)
Harrisburg Lost, 6-5 @ Altoona, 6pm Luckham (4-3, 3.09) vs. Chen (1-6, 4.79)
Wilmington Postponed @ Jersey Shore, 5:05pm Tolman (1-1, 4.01) and Bennett (0-1, 2.25)
vs. Barbosa (A+ debut) and McFarlane (0-7, 6.26)
Fredericksburg Lost, 6-3 @ Delmarva, 7:05pm D. Garcia (3-2, 3.05) vs. Yates (3-3, 4.89)
FCL Nationals Won, 9-0 OFF DAY
DSL Nationals Lost, 3-2 OFF DAY

Buffalo 2 Rochester 1
• Conley 6+ IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 3K
• Dunshee (BS, 2; L, 1-4) 2IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 2K, 1-1 IR-S
• Tena 2-4, SB
• Morales 1-4, R, HR, RBI

Yoyo Morales broke up the Bisons shutout bid early with a solo HR in the 1st. For six innings, Bryce Conley made that stand up until he was lifted in the 7th after a leadoff single. Phil Dunshee was unable to hold the 1-0 lead giving up a double and a sac fly to blow the save, then a two-out single to suffer the loss, his fourth. Jose Tena singled twice and Andrew Pinckney once to round out Rochseter’s four-hit barrage. Roster moves: RHP Bryce Conley reassigned from Harrisburg; IF Andrés Chaparro optioned from Washington; RHP Patrick Weigel released.

Altoona 6 Harrisburg 5
• Schultz 2IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 0K
• L. Young (L, 1-3) 2IP, 2H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 0K, 2HBP
• Stehly 2-3, BB, 2B
• King 2-5, R, 2B, RBI
• C. De La Cruz 2-5, R, RBI

Harrisburg rallied for three in the 7th to pull with in one run but couldn’t get the equalizer in the 8th or 9th inning and fell to Altoona, 6-5. Thomas Schultz was the opener—it appears Andry Lara will be skipped until Sunday—and tossed two scoreless. Luke Young did not match him, giving up three runs on two hits, two Robles, and a walk over two innings to take the loss. Murphy Stehly reached base three times on a walk, single, and a double while Seaver King and Carlos De La Cruz both went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored to pace the Sens offense. Roster moves: RHP Tyler Stuart placed on the 7-day I.L.

Wilmington vs. Jersey Shore – PPD
Rain washed away the series opener between Blue Rocks and the BlueClaws. They’ll shoot to make it with a doubleheader tonight. Roster moves: RHP Robert Cranz promoted from Fredericksburg.



Delmarva 6 Fredericksburg 3
• Meckley (L, 4-6) 3⅔ IP, 6H, 6R, 6ER, 3BB, 3K, 2HR
• Bollenbacher 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Vaquero 2-4, R, 3B
• Quintana 2-4, 2RBI

Delmarva put this one away early with a five-run 1st and doubled up Fredericksburg, 6-3 to take the series opener. Alexander Meckley gave up all six runs on six hits (two HR) and three walks over three and 2/3rds innings. He struck out three. The FredNats scored all three runs in the 9th as they loaded the bases on three singles, then Kevin Bazzell was hit by a pitch and Roismar Quintana stroked a two-run single, and Randal Diaz followed with anothe single before lightning struck and the skies opened up. After a half hour, the game was called with one out and two runners on. Roster moves: IF Jorgelys Mota activated from the 7-day I.L.; IF Yoander Rivero placed on the 7-Day I.L.

FCL Nationals 9 FCL Marlins 0
• Lunar (W, 1-1) 5IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 6K,
• Johnson 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• L. Arias 2-3, 2R, BB, 2B(5)
• Rojas 2-4, 2R, BB
• E. Soto 1-3, R, BB, 2B, 3RBI

Five F-Nats pitchers combined to shut out out the F-Marlins, 9-0 on five hits. Darrel Lunar picked up his first win of the season, going five innings, allowing three hits and two walks, and striking out six. Luis Arias and Eyeksson Rojas both reached base three times and scored twice while Elian Soto drove in three on a bases-loaded walk and a two-run double.

DSL Phillies White 3 DSL Nationals 2
• M. De La Cruz (L, 1-2) 5IP, 6H, 2R, 1ER, 3BB, 2K, PO @ 2B
• Ju. Lopez 3IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 1BB, 6K, HBP
• German 1-3, 2BB, 2SB, E(5)
• D. Hernandez 1-3, BB, RBI

The DSL Nationals fell behind 2-0 early and 3-1 late before getting a gift run in the 9th then giving the gift back by having the tying run thrown out at third base en route to a 3-2 loss. Marlon De La Cruz went the first five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks, but ook the loss. Juan Lopez let in the third run on hit, error, walk, and a single in the 6th but finished the game with six strikeouts. Marconi Geramn singled, walked twice, and stole two bases while Daniel Hernandez walked and drove in a run with a single to lead the D-Nats attack.

21 Commments

  1. Cranz finally got his promotion!

    I don’t understand what Rizzo and Davey are doing with Chaparro. Chaparro got promoted on June 9th. 23 days later, he gets demoted. In that time, he accumulated a grand total of 12 plate appearances in 3 starts… Is Chaparro the key to our next World Series title? No. But he’s a 26 year old, with a career line of .264/.352/.463 in AAA. Maybe he could be this generation’s Mike Morse.

    But you know who is definitely not the key to our next World Series title? Josh Bell. And yet Josh Bell is getting the lion’s share of playing time, with 67 plate appearances in the same period since Chaparro was promoted. Was Chaparro good in these 12 at bats? No. But performance doesn’t seem to be a factor at all, because Bell is batting .196/.284/.356 this season, and -0.8 WAR, which is good for 8th worst in the majors among 227 players with at least 200 PA.

    What are we even doing with this season? We’re sacrificing actual talent for washed up one-year free agent signings. Chaparro’s demotion was to make space for Paul DeJong, who’s going to likely take playing time from Luis Garcia, and god forbid, Brady House. Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams are taking time from Drew Millas. Trevor Williams and Mike Soroka are blocking Cade Cavalli. Do I think any of these guys are going to be superstars? Definitely not, but Mike Morse brought us Blake Treinen. Steven Souza brought us Trea Turner. If we don’t give these guys to showcase their talent and get into a rhythm, then we won’t even get a bag of balls in return for them.

    1. and from the glass half full contingent they have promoted Lord, Henry, Rutledge, Brzczky, Ribalta, Lile and House and given them meaningful playing time.

      I share your disappointment of Adams over Millas and I hope Hassell warrants another shot.

      DeJong will not take House’s playing time to any significant degree, I suspect he’ll platoon with Bell as DH and pinch hit when needed. I doubt that either of them will attract much interest at the trade deadline and suspect that after they may be released or find their playing time reduced.

      1. Being no hit in the second game of a DH is like the skipper walking in and tossing cold water on the team mentally
        Wake up !! You’re professionals. But the Hurricane alum sure must have been spinning some magic on the corners

      1. Fred MD Did Andry change your mind and calm your heart from this morning ?

    3. A few things:

      – Cade Cavalli is less than a year younger than Mike Soroka. Both have an extensive injury history, but Soroka projects to better next few seasons than Cavalli. Simply stated, Soroka is the better pitcher — by a lot.
      – Mike Soroka isn’t blocking Cade Cavalli from coming up. Cade Cavalli is keeping Cade Cavalli from coming up. His AAA WHIP 1.463, and he has been pounded in recent starts. What has Cavalli done to earn a promotion? Giving up 8 hits 7 runs in 3 innings last time out against Cuse does not scream “MLB ready”.
      – Soroka has great peripherals (WHIP 1.018; K/9 9.7; BB/9 2.3 — all significantly better than Cavalli’s AAA numbers). Wish the Nats would extend Soroka, but they won’t. Instead, Soroka will be the Nats top trade piece at the deadline – which means another prospect or two.
      – Given Soroka’s trade value (and Cavalli’s struggles), would be insane even from a Nats’ prospect perspective to bring up Cavalli now to replace Soroka in the rotation.
      – Andres Chaparro is 26. He’s in his 10th professional season. He’s not a prospect. Signing Josh Bell was a waste, but the Nats future is not adversely impacted by sending Chaparro down.
      – Paul DeJong isn’t taking at bats away from Brady House (he also isn’t taking at bats away from Garcia; he may take 2nd base innings away from Garcia, but that’s on Garcia for being the worst defensive player in MLB – not an exaggeration).
      – House will have a full opportunity to sink or swim. The Nats are 100% behind his development. If House gets sent back to MLB, it will because he is not ready, not because of any commitment to Paul DeJong.

      The Nats “player development” has been poor in recent years, but waiting to promote Cade Cavalli and sending Andres Chaparro back to AAA isn’t symptomatic of that poor performance.

      1. Pilchard
        Let’s paste onto your commentary about Soroka fueled by the fed baseball piece
        What is Josiah Grays return rehab window
        Plus Kade Anderson could ascend through the system like SS – knock on wood ( Joe the piano player in Rick’s cafe sings )

    5. Junior faces Junior
      Long time gone (CSN) Bobby Milacki son 38 th round 2018
      Garcia is sure hum baby , Roger Craig
      Blue Rocks next

  2. Why was Patrick Weigel treated nicer than the “ don’t let the door hit you in the arss, Todd Peterson”!???
    Has Johnson landed on his feet anywhere ?
    Wilmington rehab DH if rain permits with “ legs me a lefty “ night vs Jersey Shore . ( Does Jersey Shore ever do a Jersey Shore night where fans can dress up like their favorite non – reality – reality show flashback ?? lol
    So much for Meckley lowering his ERA/ A1C last night
    Garcia should be spot on tonight ( my dogs name who wants to go on patrol now )
    A moment of silence for Raven the big dog next door who had to be put down ) RIP , Raven

    1. assuming you mean Luke Johnson, he gets one spot start for the FredNats, goes four scoreless and heads back to Palm Beach. he has been used in every possible role so far and he’s a soft tosser for sure but at some point you’d hope he get the chance to sink or swim in full season ball

      1. Add his surprisingly effective teammate Tommy Kane to that. Not really sure what they’re still doing in the FCL considering their age and effectiveness there. Hopefully Cranz’s promotion will free up a spot for one of them.

        Though Agostini’s rehab should also be ending soon, so there’s a growing bottleneck of deserving promotions between the FCL and Fredericksburg bullpens.

        Reflecting on this, I think we’re probably due for another big roster carousel.

        FCL:
        Johnson, Kane, Agostini

        Fburg:
        Beeker, Bollenbacher

        Wilmington:
        Amaral, Tolman, Ogasawara, Bennett?

        Harrisburg:
        Davila; fewer options here as Powell and Cuevas were recently promoted, but maybe Luckham and Schultz too

        1. I think you may get your wish as the past couple of years the Nats have been doing “roster shuffle” around the All-Star break instead of the between halves.

          1. We can not expect Kade Anderson appearing in Nats system after the draft and after the heavy CWS road work .
            Maybe some of the arms in the draft rounds 2-13?

  3. Altoona broadcasters said that Lara was scratched at 4 PM. That was all the info they had. Maybe they are just skipping him until Sunday.

    1. I sure hope I’m wrong but I don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about this

    2. If I had been able to update the probables in time—on the road in TN at the time—I’d’ve changed it from Lara to Schultz, as Terry had the change in the game notes. However, due to the LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG history of Nats pitchers getting hurt, I presumed the reason was a flare-up in whatever caused him to go on the I.L.for seven weeks (injury updates are dutifully posted, along with the Blue Rocks press releases, on Jimmie Dimmick’s front-lawn sign). As of this comment, Lara tossed three scoreless in today’s tilt against the Tigers, so good to see it wasn’t *that*.

  4. Transfer portal heavy as always in the NCAA baseball
    Scott Rolen @ IU-Bloomington Hoosiers has several kids inbound from Delaware .
    One upperclassman transferred to Troy
    Talk about losing playing time

    1. Interesting
      Time for Lara to be around
      Medical staff and brass
      Yes Fred MD I was channeling the film Blazing Saddles saying Johnson when I meant Todd Peterson not Sam

  6. Andry Lara called up as the 27th roster player for the Tigers double-header today. Hoping he pitches because the Nats are winning by margin than losing by margin.

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