Friday’s News & Notes

Ed. Note #1: Probables are what’s currently listed on MiLB.com. It’s nearly certain that the rotations will be realigned in the second half, though it’s also possible that we could see a couple of bullpen games at AA and AAA.

Ed. Note #2: The timing of this year’s draft precluded what little commentary I may have had. But I make no apologies because the Draft just ain’t my thing; keeping an eye on the players we already have is the “pudding” for me. But our e-migo Todd Boss likes the “meat” and has thoughts on who Washington took this year in Rounds 1-10 and Rounds 11-20.

Ed. Note #3: Are you aware that anyone under 50 probably isn’t going to get the meat/pudding reference? Yeah, you’re probably right.

FCL Nationals 7 FCL Marlins 1
• Millikan (W, 4-1) 5IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 6K
• N. De La Cruz 2-3, 2R, BB, 2B, RBI
• German 1-2, R, BB, HR(GS), 4RBI, E(7)
• Cortesia 0-1, 2R, 3BB, SB(20)

Marconi German’s grand slam in the 3rd was enough to carry the F-Nats, but the offense added another three in the 5th with Nauris De La Cruz’s first double of the season in a 7-1 win over the F-Marlins. Noah Millikan spun five innings of one-run ball to win his fourth game while Adam Bogosian and Colby Frieda each put up a goose egg with two whiffs to close out the seven-inning game.

DSL Arizona Red 14 DSL Nationals 13 – COMP.
• Thomas 1⅔ IP, 1H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 0K
• Rondon (L, 0-1) ⅔+ IP, 3H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 1K, HR, 1-1 IR-S
• R. Mejias (BS, 1) 2BF, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, HBP, 3-3 IR-S
• Acosta 2-4, 3R, BB, HR, 2RBI, 3SB(15)
• Tarifa 2-4, R, BB, 2B, RBI
• B. Rodriguez 2-4, R, 2K, HBP
• Ja. Garcia 1-3, 3R, BB, 2RBI

An eight-run lead was too small for the DSL Nationals ‘pen to hold as they were eviscerated for 11 runs over three-plus innings in a 14-13 loss in the continuation of the July 2 game. Josue Rondon retired two of seven batters faced in the 8th and 9th innings before giving way to Rafael Mejias who came on with the bases loaded, hit the first batter he faced for one run, then served up the game-winning two-run single. Euris Acosta reached base three times and stole three bases to lead the 10-hit, six-walk, six-steal offense.

DSL Nationals 5 DSL Arizona Red 4 – GM. 2
• Salas 4IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 5K, HR, 2E
• B. Moreno (W, 1-0) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Vargas 1-3, 2R, 2B
• Tusen 1-2, 2R, BB
• Acosta 1-2, SF, RBI

In the “aftercap,” the D-Nats avoided the sweep with a 5-4 win, their seventh in 32 games. Jhondel Salas went the first four and gave up three runs on seven hits (one HR) and a walk while striking out five. Braylin Moren turned in a scoreless inning in the top of the 7th and picked up the win when his teammates collected their third, fourth, and fifth hits, including Juan Duran’s walkoff single with two out.