Nationals Farm Authority

Columbus (AAA) 2-8

4/16: Lost to Buffalo 17-1 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Mike Bacsik RP 3.67IP 2H 0R 1BB 1HBP 5K

• E: Watson (1, throw)

• HBP: Rivas (by Bacsik)

4/17: Chris Michalak (0-1 4.76) versus Durham 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-7

4/16: Game versus Reading postponed by weather; game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, June 27th at 5:35pm. The two games that evening will be seven innings long

4/17: Anastacio Martinez (0-0 1.13) versus Reading 6:05PM

Potomac (High A) 6-1

4/16: Game at Salem was postponed due to the tragic events at Virginia Tech; game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday morning. The first pitch is slated for 11:07 AM. Each game is scheduled for seven innings

4/17: Clint Everts (1-0 0.00) & Shairon Martis (0-0 4.50) at Salem 11:07AM

Hagerstown (Low A) 4-8

4/16: Split with Greensboro 7-4 (Box) and 4-5 (Box)

NFA Player of the Games: Mike Daniel RF 3/7 3R 5RBI 1BB 2K double 2HR 1SB; OF Assist

Game 1

• SB: Maxwell (2), Daniel (2)
• PO: Guzman (1st base by Hatcher)
• E: Martinez, M (1, missed catch), Reininger (2, fielding), Napoli (1, fielding), King (5, fielding), Perks (2, pickoff)
• Outfield assist: Maxwell (Hatcher at home)

Game 2

• SB: Maxwell (3)
• CS: King (1), Davis (2)
• PO: King (1st base by Goyen), Davis (1st base by Goyen)
• Outfield assist: Daniel (Webb at 2nd base)

4/17: No game scheduled

Columbus (AAA) 2-7

4/15: Swept by Buffalo 2-1 (Gamer/Box) & 4-2 (Box)

Game 1

NFA Player of the Game: Felix Diaz SP 5IP 5H 1R(1ER) 2BB 3K

• E: Harper (1, throw)
• Outfield assists: McDonald (Rivas at home)

Game 2

• SB: McDonald (4)
• CS: Abernathy (1), Dorta (2)
• PO: Abernathy (1st base by Perez, R)
• E: Yepez, M 2 (2, fielding, fielding)

4/16: Tim Redding (0-1 2.70) versus Buffalo 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-7

4/15: Game versus Erie postponed by rain; game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, May 22nd at 5:35pm. The two games that evening will be seven innings long.

4/16: Anastacio Martinez (0-0 1.13) versus Reading 6:05PM

Potomac (High A) 6-1

4/15: Doubleheader postponed by rain; Lynchburg will not return to Pfitzner Stadium in the first half; therefore, the games lost from this weekend will be made up in Lynchburg when the Nationals play at City Stadium May 24th-27th. Exact date and time has yet to be determined. A doubleheader is already scheduled for May 24th, making up for a game that was canceled between the two teams on April 7th due to extreme cold weather.

4/16: Carlos Martinez (0-1 10.38) at Salem 7:05PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 3-7

4/15: Game postponed by rain; will be made up as part of doubleheader this morning (two seven inning games)

4/16: Edulin Abreu (0-1 4.50) and Marco Estrada (0-1 4.32) at Greensboro 10:45AM

Columbus (AAA) 2-5

4/14: Postponed due to inclement weather

4/15: Felix Diaz (0-0 0.00) and Emiliano Fruto (0-0 0.00) versus Buffalo 12:00PM (two seven inning games)

Harrisburg (AA) 2-7

4/14: Lost to Erie 6-1 (Box/Gamer/Liveblog)

• SB: Bernadina (5, 2nd base off Trahern/Roa)

• WP: Perez, B 2
• HBP: Blanco (by Trahern)

4/15: Anastacio Martinez (0-0 1.13) versus Erie 1:05PM

Potomac (High A) 6-1

4/14: Postponed by rain

4/15: Carlos Martinez (0-1 10.38) and Clint Everts (1-0 0.00) vs Lynchburg 1:05PM (two seven inning games)

Hagerstown (Low A) 3-7

4/13: Lost to Greensboro 8-2 in 7 innings (Box)

• E: Nunez (2, fielding), King (4, fielding)
• Outfield assists: Marrero (Raynor at 2nd base)

• HBP: Daniel (by McCall)

4/14: Yunior Novoa (0-1 4.50) at Greensboro 10:45AM

Columbus (AAA) 2-5

• OF Abraham Nunez activated from 7-day DL replacing the recently promoted Saul Rivera

4/13: Lost to Buffalo 2-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Joel Hanrahan SP 5IP 4H 2R(2ER) 1BB 3K 1HR; Loss

• CS: McDonald (1, 2nd base by Stanford/Rose)
• PO: McDonald (1st base by Stanford)
• E: Hanrahan (1, throw)

• HBP: Batista (by Stanford), Choo (by Bacsik)

4/14: Felix Diaz (0-0 0.00) versus Buffalo 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-6

• Senators OF Frank Diaz missed his second straight game and is day-to-day after having a root canal earlier this week

4/13: Defeated Erie 16-3 (Box/Gamer/Liveblog)

NFA Player of the Game: Josh Whitesell 1B 5/5 3R 5RBI 2 doubles 1HR

• WP: Hinckley
• HBP: Blanco (by Connolly)

4/14: Beltran Perez (0-0 3.60) versus Erie 6:05PM

Potomac (High A) 6-1

4/13: Defeated Lynchburg 3-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: John Lannan SP 7IP 5H 0R 1BB 4K; Win

• SB: Desmond (2, 2nd base off Redmond/Diaz)
• CS: Baez, E (1, 3rd base by Redmond/Diaz)

• HBP: Desmond (by Holliday)

4/14: Carlos Martinez (0-1 10.38) vs Lynchburg 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 3-6

4/13: Lost to Greensboro 6-5 (Box)

NFA Player of the Game; Mike Daniel RF/CF 2/4 1R 3RBI 1K 1HR

• SB: King 2 (3), Nunez 2 (3)
• E: King (3, fielding)

• WP: Nunez, Jackson 2
• HBP: Blackwood (by Jackson)

4/14: Yunior Novoa (0-0 0.00) at Greensboro 7:00PM

Columbus (AAA)

• RHRP Saul Rivera was recalled to the Nationals when LHRP Ray King was placed on the 15-day DL

4/12: No game scheduled

4/13: Joel Hanrahan (0-0 0.00) versus Buffalo 7:25PM

Harrisburg (AA)

4/12: Defeated Erie 6-2 (Box/Gamer/Liveblog)

NFA Player of the Game: Collin Balester SP 5IP 7H 2R(2ER) 1BB 6K 1HBP; Win

• SB: Jennings (1), Blanco (2)
• E: Robinson, W (2, throw)
• Outfield assists: Guerrero (Melian at home)

• HBP: Melian (by Balester)

4/12: Mike Hinckley (0-1 7.20) versus Erie 6:05PM

Potomac (High A)

4/12: Defeated Salem 4-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Brandon Powell 3B 2/3 1R 3RBI 1HR

• SB: Mortimer (1)
• PO: Powell (1st base by McKeller)
• E: Peacock (1, fielding)
• Pickoffs: Stammen (Rosales at 1st base)

• WP: Carr

4/13: John Lannan (1-0 1.50) vs Lynchburg 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A)

4/12: Defeated Lexington 8-7 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Stephen King SS 1/4 2R 1RBI 1BB 2K 1SB

• S: Daniel
• SF: Davis
• SB: Martinez, M (1), Daniel (1), King (1)
• PO: King (1st base by Norris)
• E: Wilkie (1, pickoff)
• HBP: Napoli (by Norris), Martinez, M (by Wagler)

4/13: Jhonny Nunez (0-0 9.00) at Greensboro 7:00PM

Matt Eddy from Baseball America debuted their new transactions format on the BBA Prospects Blog. It’s an easy way to see everything the Nationals have done within their minor leagues from March 31 to April 6:

Signed: RHP Eduardo Baeza, SS Alex Gonzalez

Released: LHP Thomas Wilson, C Thomas Rojas, SS Hector Tiburcio

Selected to major league roster: 2B D’Angelo Jimenez

Recall: OF Kory Casto

Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Saul Rivera, OF Kory Casto

Optioned to Double-A: RHP Beltran Perez, OF Frank Diaz

Placed on minor league disabled list: RHP Luis Atilano, RHP James Lehman, RHP Garrett Mock, RHP Devin Perrin, RHP Jason Simontacchi, LHP Brandon Claussen, LHP Arnaldo Munoz, C John Poppert, 1B Tim Pahuta, 3B Brandon Larson

Placed on restricted list: RHP Terrence Engles, RHP Josh Karp, 2B Bernie Castro

It answers a question I have been receiving in the comments section a few times. RHP Josh Karp has been placed on the restricted list. This could mean several things (unofficial retirement or recovery/rehab from his shoulder surgery), but the #6 overall pick in the 2001 draft is not with the team at present.

Bernie Castro is serving a 15-game suspension for violating minor league baseball’s substance abuse policy from back in his days with the Baltimore Orioles.

Columbus (AAA)

• IF Brent Abernathy added to Columbus roster; SS Alex Gonzalez released 

4/11: Lost to Louisville 4-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Darnell McDonald RF 2/4 2R double 1SB

• SF: Restovich
• GIDP: Broadway
• SB: McDonald (3)

4/12: No game scheduled

Harrisburg (AA)

4/11: Lost to Trenton 2-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: TJ Nall SP 7IP 7H 2R(2ER) 2BB 3K; Loss

4/12: Collin Balester (0-0 3.60) versus Erie 6:35PM [home opener]

Potomac (High A)

4/11: Defeated Salem 5-3 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Players of the Game: Josh Perrault (not pictured) and Dan Kolb (above) RPs 5IP 4H 1R(1ER) 2BB 6K; Win & Save

• SF: Peacock
• SB: Rogelstad (1)
• E: Rogelstad (1, fielding)

• HBP: Towles (by Martis)

4/12: Craig Stammen (1-0 5.40) vs Salem 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A)

4/11: Lost to Lexington 5-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Stephen King SS 2/5 1R 1RBI 3K 1HR

• CS: Marrero (2)
• PO: Marrero
• Pickoffs: San Pedro (Van Ostrand at 1st base)

4/11: Jhonny Nunez (0-0 9.00) at Lexington 7:05PM

Columbus (AAA)

• OF Abraham Nunez placed on DL; OF Brandon Watson added to roster
• IF Brent Abernathy was acquired in a trade from the Phillies; has not been assigned to any level as yet 

4/10: Defeated to Louisville 1-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Tim Redding SP 6IP 3H 0R 1BB 7K

4/11: Chris Michalak (NR) at Louisville 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA)

4/10: Lost to Trenton 5-4 in 12 innings (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Anastacio Martinez SP 6IP 2H 1R(1ER) 3BB 5K 1WP

• SB: Blanco (1), Diaz, F (1), Melo (1), Bernadina 3 (4)

• WP: Martinez, A, Magrane, Campbell
• IBB: Christian (by Plexico)
• HBP: Pilittere (by Plexico)

4/11: TJ Nall (0-1 1.80) at Trenton 7:05PM

Potomac (High A)

4/10: Defeated Salem 4-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Clint Everts SP 6IP 3H 0R 4BB 5K; Win

• SF: Plasencia
• SB: Plasencia (1), Desmond (1)
• CS: Mortimer (1)
• E: Powell (2)
• Pickoffs: Peacock 2 (Hart at 1st base, Flores at 1st base)

• WP: Morales, A
• HBP: Plasencia (by Owens), King (by Morales, A)

4/11: Shairon Martis (NR) vs Salem 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A)

4/10: Defeated Lexington 8-6 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Mike Daniel CF 2/5 2R 3RBI 1HR

• Stephen King hit his first professional HR
• SB: Davis 2 (2)
• E: Daniel (1, fielding), De Los Santos (1, throw)
• PB: Solano (1)
• Outfield assists: Napoli (Buchanan at 3rd base)

• HBP: Buchanan (by Estrada)

4/11: Matt Perks (0-1 6.23) at Lexington 7:05PM

(UPDATE: For some good photos of the evening, check out NatsNation who was there.)

I went to the Potmac Nationals’ home opener last night. It was more than simply the weather that was cold. The Nationals struggled pitching, hitting, and fielding en route to a one-hit 8-0 shutout loss to the Salem Avalanche (an Astros affiliate).

After a economical first inning, starting pitcher Carlos Martinez struggled with an extremely fast Avalanche lineup. With one out, he walked RF Eli Iorg who promptly stole second base on the next pitch. Martinez then allowed a single and a booming double to left center by LF Ryan Reed to dig himself a 2-0 hole. Fortunately for the P-Nats, the Avalanche speed cost them a base runner as Reed was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Instead of getting out of the inning, the P-Nats gave Salem an extra out as 3B Brandon Powell’s throwing error allowed 2B Wladimir Sutil tor each base. Continuing their running ways, Sutil immediately stole 2B and then scored on a single by CF Josh Flores. The Avalanche ran themselves out of the inning when Flores was caught stealing on a very close play at 2B.

Martinez ran into trouble with the 7-8-9-1 hitters again two innings later extending the Salem lead to 5-0 in the 4th inning. He allowed a single-double-single-single to 3B Billy Hart, Reed, Sutil, and Flores. His night ended in the 5th when he aloowed his 6th run and left with the bases loaded. This provided the one of the only highlights of the evening as LHRP Jack Spradlin came on and retired the next two batters to hold Salem to a 6-0 advantage. Spradlin sandwiched a strikeout and two groundouts around a Flores double in the 6th before tiring in the 7th, leaving the game with one run in and runners on 2nd and 3ed with two outs. RHRP Dan Foli struck out Sutil swinging to end the threat. The game was ostensibly over at this point with the Avalanche tacking on a run in the 8th against Foli.

As for the P-Nats offensively, the P-Nats loaded the bases in the first inning with two outs on an IF single by LF Dee Brown (a swinging bunt down the 3B line that Brown just beat out) and walks to CA Luke Montz and DH Marvin Lowrance. Edgardo Baez went down on strikes and so did Potomac for the rest of the game only reaching base three more times in eight innings, reacing on an error in the 4th and walks in the 8th and 9th. Avalanche starter Brad James had his sinker ball working extremely well allowing only one ball out of the infield in his seven innings of work. Working primarily with his fastball (which had amazing sink to it), James had 13 groundball outs out of his 18 total. Combine that with four strikeouts where the P-Nats chased balls low in the zone and it was clear James had command of this game. Nick Cavanaugh and Samuel Gervasio finished off the game allowing only the two walks while striking out six.

Defensively, the P-Nats looked shaky in the field. While only Powell was charged with an error, Martinez, SS Ian Desmond, and 1B Steve Mortimer could have been charged with errors on balls ruled IF singles and Mortimer and Powell both allowed doubles on hard hit balls that appeared fieldable.

Other observations

• P-Nats SS Ian Desmond has tremendous range and a major league quality arm, but he still is struggling at he plate. He’s still young enough to improve but his time as a top level prospect is running short.
• LHRP Jack Spradlin could turn into a solid lefthanded arm out of the pen in short stints. His breaking pitch has very good movement to it. He clearly tired after two innings.
• The Avalanche have amazing team speed. The have stolen 15 bases in 18 attempts in three games this season, including 2/3 last night in Woodbridge. It appears everyone in their lineup can run, and run well, including CA J.R. Towles. They take extra bases very well.
• I want to reiterate how good James looked last night pitching for the Avalanche. After struggling finding the strikezone in the first inning, the P-Nats were held at bay by his sinking fastball.

Columbus (AAA)

4/9: Lost to Louisville 1-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Emiliano Fruto 6IP 0H 0R 1BB 5K

• SB: McDonald (2, 2nd base off Gosling/Conway)
• CS: Dorta (1, 2nd base by Gosling/Conway)
• E: Dorta (1, fielding).

4/10: Chris Michalak (NR) at Louisville 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA)

4/9: Lost to Trenton 5-4 in 12 innings (Gamer/Box/Liveblogging)

NFA Player of the Game: Beltran Perez SP 5IP 8H 2R(2ER) 2BB 2K 1HBP

• SB: Robinson, W (1, 2nd base off Smith, B/Pilittere)
• Outfield assists: Diaz, F (Ehlers, C at home)

• HBP: Pilittere (by Perez, B), Lopez (by Zinicola), DeMent (by Smith, B)

4/10: Anastacio Martinez (NR) at Trenton 7:05PM

Potomac (High A)

4/9: Lost to Salem 8-0 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Jack Spradlin RP 2.1IP 3H 1R(1ER) 1BB 3K; 2 inherited runners (0 scored)

• E: Powell (1, throw)
• Outfield assists: Plasencia (Reed at 3rd base)

• HBP: Towles (by Martinez, C)

4/10: Clint Everts (NR) vs Salem 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A)

4/9: Lost to Lexington 7-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Brett McMillan 1B 2/4 1R 1RBI 1HR 1K

• SF: San Pedro
• SB: Maxwell (1, 2nd base off Trinidad/Henriquez)
• CS: Maxwell (1, 2nd base by Qualben/Henriquez)
• PO: Maxwell (1st base by Qualben)
• E: Davis (1, fielding), King (2, fielding)

4/10: Marco Estrada (0-1 6.75) at Lexington 7:05PM