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Thursday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Pitching Probables
Rochester Won, 7-6 @ Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m. Ureña (0-1, 6.27) vs. Zeuch (2-3, 5.57)
Harrisburg Won, 6-5 vs. Altoona, 6:30 p.m. Saenz (0-1, 7.27) vs. Sullivan (2-1, 3.31)
Wilmington Won, 5-2 @ Hudson Valley, 7:05 p.m. Bennett (0-1, 1.29) vs. Valdez (1-4, 5.94)
Fredericksburg Lost, 7-4 vs. Salem, 7:05 p.m. Tolman (Low-A debut) vs. Dean (1-4, 8.51)
FCL Nationals Lost, 10-5 @ FCL Astros, 12 p.m.
DSL Nationals OFF DAY @ DSL Mets Blue, 11 a.m.

Rochester 7 Lehigh Valley 6
• Rutledge 3⅔ IP, 2H, 5R, 5ER, 6BB, 3K, HR
• Machado 1⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 3K, PTV, 3-3 IR-S
• G. Moreno (W, 4-4) 2IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 5K
• Alu 4-5, 3R, SB(10)
• F. Reyes 2-4, R, BB, HR(5), 2RBI
• Rutherford 2-5, R, HR, 5RBI

Rochester blew an early 5-1 lead but Blake Rutherford’s two-run single in the 9th broke a 5-5 tie and the Red Wings held on in the 9th for a 7-6 win. Jackson Rutledge’s AAA debut was marred by six walks in three and 2/3rds innings. He gave up two hits, including a solo HR while striking out three. Rutledge was charged with five runs, “thanks” to Andrés Machado letting in all three inherited runners with back-to-back singles to the first two batters he faced. Jake Alu singled four times in five trips to the plate to lead the Rochester hit column while Rutherford also served up an Earl Weaver special in the 1st inning and Franmil Reyes added a two-run shot in the 3rd. Roster moves: IF Jeter Downs activated from 7-Day I.L.; LHP Sean Doolittle placed on the 7-Day I.L.

Harrisburg 6 Altoona 5
• A. Hernandez (W, 2-3) 6IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 4K, HBP, PTV
• Cate (H, 6) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• M. Peña (SV, 2) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 2K
• J. Young 2-3, BB, RBI, SB
• Valera 2-4, RBI, SB
• Hassell 1-5, R, HR, 3RBI, 2K

The Senators erased deficits of 2-0 and 4-3 with a pair of three-spots in the 5th and 6th innings as the straightened the Curve, 6-5. Alemao Hernandez won his second AA game with six innings of four-run ball on seven hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. Malvin Peña loaded the bases with one out in the 9th but got the key strikeout and a flyball to end for his second save. Robert Hassell got the party started for Harrisburg with his second HR, a three-run number in the 5th while Jacob Young and Leon Valera both singled twice, walked once, and stole a base to pace the Sens offense. Roster moves: LHP Mitchell Parker activated from the Development List; RHP Tyler Schoff promoted from Wilmington.

Wilmington 5 Hudson Valley 2
• A. Lara (W, 2-5) 5IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• C. Romero 1⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 1-0 IR-S
• Frizzell 2-3, 2R, 2BB, HR(5), RBI
• House 2-5, R
• Fox 1-3, R, HR, RBI

Wilmington got single runs in the 3rd and 4th then posted a picket froms from the 6th to the 8th as they downed Hudson Valley, 5-2. Andry Lara turned in fivs scoreless innings, with four hits and no walks allowed and four whiffs. He threw 58 pitches, 45 for strikes and picked up his second win. Carlos Romero stranded a runner while getting out of the 8th and worked around a leadoff single in the 9th to earn his first save of ’23. Will Frizzell reached base four times on two walks, a single, and his 5th High-A HR while Brady House singled twice to lead the Blue Rocks offense. Roster moves: IF Lucius Fox MiLB Rehab transferred from FCL; IF Jordy Barley reassigned from Rochester; RHP Holden Powell activated from 7-Day I.L.; RHP Nick Pogue placed on the 7-day I.L.

Salem 7 Fredericksburg 4
• L. Young (l, 1-3) 4IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 3K
• Denaburg 1+ IP, 0H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K, WP
• K. Rodriguez 3IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 3K, 3-3 IR-S
• Infante 2-3, R, BB, SB(21)
• Lile 1-5, R, 3B(5), 2RBI

Coming home didn’t help the FredNats as the Red Sox handed them their fifth straight loss, 7-4. The force was not strong with Luke… Young as the Fredericksburg starter was dinged for three runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. Two Mason Denaburgs followed Young. The 5th-inning guy struck out the side. The 6th-inning guy walked the first three batters he faced. Kevin Rodriguez would let ’em all in to put the game on ice. Sammy Infante reached base three times on two safeties and a base-on-balls and stole his 21st base while Daylen Lile’s 5th triple drove in two to lead the FredNats’ attack. Roster moves: RHP Matt Merrill activated from 7-Day I.L., reassigned from Wilmington; LHP Erik Tolman, RHP Bubba Hall reassigned from the FCL; RHP Niomar Gomez MiLB Rehab ended, reassigned from FCL, remains on 7-Day I.L.

FCL Marlins 10 FCL Nationals 5
• Leon 1⅔ IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 3K, HR, WP
• Colon (L, 0-1) 1⅓ IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 0K, 1-1 IR-S
• W. Diaz 3-4, 2R, 2B
• Vaquero 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB(5)
• Cox 1-4, BB, 2RBI
• 4-15 RISP; 12 LOB

The FCL Nationals were doubled up by the FCL Marlins for their third straight loss. Jefrem Leon got knocked from the box in the 2nd after letting in three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three. The loss went to 18-y.o. Leodarlyn Colon after allowing two runs on five hits over an inning and a 1/3rd. Winder Diaz and Crithian Vaquero both singled twice and doubled once to lead the F-Nats attack. Roster moves: 2B Darren Baker assigned from Rochester for MiLB Rehab; RHP Miguel Gomez reassigned from Fredericksburg.

DSL Nationals – OFF DAY
The D-Nats resume play today against their third straight blue team this week, searching for their second win of the 2023 campaign.

14 Commments

  1. So Schoff ‘s ascent just as impressive as Willingham ?
    Let’s see what Tolman can give the Fred staff for the week : 3-4 IP?
    Let’s see what JR does in six days along with Lara .

    1. In three years sure would be a nice problem to have a starters clogged pipeline like Guardians “ dealing with “.

  2. Rochester radio mentioned that walks are up in the international league with ABS and Rutledge’s control problems in aa could get worse.

    1. I’m in general more aggressive about promoting players than the Nats, but Rutledge’s promotion is a rare instance where the Nats were more aggressive than I’d have been. With Rutledge skipping A+ altogether, AA was in itself an accomplishment. But Rutledge is on the 40 man, so I guess they want to see what they have in him sooner than later?

      1. Rutledge made four starts at High-A in 2021. He was horrible so I can see one might want to forget that 😉

    2. the problem with Rutledge is the 4-5 pitches per inning that could be called a ball from the concession stands. last night that number was 7-8 per. hopefully just some nerves that will settle down. I’m still not sold on this new delivery and I’m not sure he is either. I’d like to see him throw from the stretch exclusively but if he makes progress the rest of the year either way you’d have to consider the year a sucess

    3. Leave it to good ole number 4
      Delino DeShields to call a double steal tonight
      Brilliant

  3. A ton of moves, and yet Andrew Alvarez and his 2.53 ERA remains in Wilmington. Surprising.

    It’s really good to see Darren Baker finally reappear. I hope they’ll keep experimenting with him in the OF, if only to give him another path to DC. Luis Garcia has been just good enough to not raise questions about his starting job, but since he’s never going to learn how to walk at a good rate, he’ll need to tap into that power he showed in AAA to become a useful piece going forward.

  4. I generally don’t put much stock in Rookie League stats, but with a high-priced player, I tend to follow a little more closely.

    On June 15th, Cristhian Vaquero was hitting .154. In 8 games since then, he’s 10-for-30 with 4 doubles and a triple. He also has 5 steals on the season and 3 outfield assists.

    I’m not saying he should move up – he’s still just 18 – but he’s showing us a little of what the hype was about.

  5. good to see Winder Diaz back in action, my guess he was injured coming out of spring training, I’d expect to see him in Low A before long assuming his fielding issues get straightened out

    1. Listen to the Doctor ( Doobie Bros ) FredMD
      The rookie ball promotions truly to clear some spots for the kids coming in drafted in 10 days .
      Alvarez probably just keeping the bench warm for the next arm to get call up from FRED .
      Let CV just play in lead off role @ the complex for awhile with Cox and Peoples in OF .

  6. I realize taking away a player’s worst outings from their stats is a classic “but other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?” action, but… if you take away Tim Cate’s 2 poor outings this season, he’s been really dominant.

    He’s made 15 appearances.

    In 2 of them, he threw 3.1 innings and allowed 8 hits, a walk, 6 earned runs and fanned 4.

    In the other 13 appearances, he’s thrown 15.1 innings and allowed 7 hits, 5 BBs, ONE earned run with 15 strikeouts.

    Combine that with his average against left-handed hitters this year – .148 – and he’s gotta be moving up soon.

    1. this was my point as well, he (as well as Troop) is too old to be proving it (or, if you will trying to) at AA. I’m assuming some MLB bullpen arms will be dealt so maybe it’s wait and see

      1. Fred some of us may be surprised at how many players on the Big Roster cause Rizzos phone to go off before deadline
        The Astros would look good with
        JC and do we see a Garcia pitching for FCL Astros with a brother named Luis Garcia ? The same Garcia 2b?

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