Nationals Farm Authority

The Clippers rode two strong pitching performances to a 4-0 (box) and 5-1 (box) doubleheader sweep of the Indians (gamer). In the resumption of Thursday’s rain suspended game, Levale Speigner, Winston Abreu, and Edward Valdez took over Thursday’s starter Tim Redding (3IP 2H 0R 1BB 4K) and combined on six innings of three hit shutout relief striking out six. Columbus was led on offense by 2B Bernie Castro who was 2/3 with a double, run scored, and RBI. 3B Brent Abernathy, 1B Larry Broadway, and SS Manny Alexander each had an RBI. In the second game, Joel Hanrahan went 6 2/3 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out six. Hanrahan ran into some trouble in the seventh allowing two runner with two outs, but Chris Booker came on and got a strikeout preserving the win. It was Booker’s 22nd save of the season tying him for the International League lead. CF Roger Bernadina picked up his first two career Triple-A hits with a pair of doubles, scoring once and driving in one. 2B Brent Abernathy was 2/3 with a pair of RBI in the victory.

Tonight: LHP Chris Michalak (3-2, 2.45) faces off against Louisville LHP Phil Dumtrait (7-5, 3.87) at 6:05PM

The Senators took advantage of Reading wildness (six walks, three hit batters, and a throwing error) to defeat the Phillies 8-0 (box/gamer). Beltran Perez made the start lasting four innings surrendering four hits and striking out two. Jon Albaladejo picked up the win with two innings of hitless/one strikeout ball, and Gerald Plexico got the save with three innings of one hit ball. 3B Ofilio Castro went 2/4 driving in three runs and LF Dee Brown and 2B Seth Bynum each scored twice. Bynum also drove in a pair of runs.

Tonight: LHP Mike O’Connor (1-0, 3.38) takes the mound as the Senators open a road trip in Trenton at 7:05PM against the Thunder and RHP Alan Horne (7-3, 2.39)

Cory VanAllen and the P-Nats were blanked in a 5-0 (box) five-hit shutout in Myrtle Beach. VanAllen took the loss going four innings allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks though he did strikeout six Pelicans. CF Mike Daniel was 0/4 and LF Chris Marrero was 1/4 in the loss. CA Brian Peacock had the P-Nats only extra base hit with a double.

Tonight: LHP Jack Spradlin (2-5, 4.68) opens the series in Lynchburg at 6:05PM against Hillcats RHP Todd Redmond (5-5, 4.54)

Hagerstown dropped their eighth straight second half start (nine dating back to the end of first half) losing 12-8 (box) at home against Lake County. Don Levinski took the loss allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in only 3 1/3 innings. LF Marvin Lowrance was 2/4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and three RBI. 3B Leonard Davis was 3/5 with a double, home run, two runs scored, and two RBI.

 Tonight: The Suns look for their first win of the second half as Hagerstown RHP Erik Arnesen (3-3, 4.45) takes the mound at home against Lakewood RHP Darren Byrd (4-5, 4.08) at 7:05PM

Vermont snapped a three-game losing streak as 1B Bill Rhinehart snapped a six-game RBI-less streak with three in an 8-4 (box/gamer) Lake Monsters victory over Lowell. Rhinehart was 4/4 with a double, a run scored and his 11th-13th RBI of the season. LF Mark Gildea was 1/3 with a run scored and two stolen bases, and CF Boomer Whiting had one hit and scored twice. Edulin Abreu picked up the win five innings of five hit ball allowing four runs, though only one was earned. The Lake Monsters committed three fourth inning errors leading to three unearned runs. Jordan Zimmermann pitched three innings of one hit/three walk relief striking out four.

Tonight: RHP Hassan Pena (2-0, 2.70) faces off with Lowell LHP Jose Capellan (1-0, 1.00) at 7:05PM

Garrett Mock  had a tough second rehab appearance as the GCL Nationals dropped a 7-4 (box) decision to the GCL Dodgers. Mock gave up three home runs among his five hits in 1 2/3 innings of work, ending up surrendering six runs. Also making a rehab start was Brandon Claussen with much better results, six innings of four hit shutout ball striking out six. Derek Norris made his professional debut, starting at DH, going 2/4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. LF Jake Smolinski also had two hits with a double and a run scored. 1B Clint Pridmore hit his first professional home run in the loss. Notes from Viera: (thanks to Brian James) Norris debuted at DH and made quite a first impression, doubling in his first two at bats. He nearly had a third double, a line drive which was snagged by the third baseman … Smolinski was back in the lineup and continues to hit everything hard, flying out to the warning track in center field and hitting an opposite field double … Pridmore hit his first professional homerun, a moonshot to straight away center … Souza looked better at third base today, made a diving stop, got up quickly and gunned the runner out at first, a play he several times failed to come up with yesterday … Claussen looked superb on the hill today I suspect he’ll be leaving for Potomac.

Today:  The GCL Nationals visit the GCL Cardinals at 12:00PM

It’s Friday, so that means Todd Jacobson of the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star has a couple of articles on the happenings in the Nationals minor league/player development.

First, he profiles P-Nats OF Edgardo Baez …

“The difference has been maturity,” Knorr said. “You know he’s committed to getting better every single day he comes in here. Sometimes you tend to forget that he’s just 21 years old and he’s been growing up.”

Next, he takes a look at the progress the Nationals have made in signing their 2007 draft picks …

Second-rounders Jordan Zimmermann and Jake Smolinski–relative bargains with signing bonuses of $495,000 and $452,500 … [McGeary] said he’s looking for a signing bonus akin to a first-rounder, and it will likely take in excess of $1 million to land him … Smoker should command a signing bonus near $1 million. (Last year’s 31st pick, Preston Mattingly, received exactly that). Detwiler should command much more

More importantly, these are some of Todd’s last articles with the Free Lance-Star. (update: Todd will actually have at least two more articles, though today is his last day with the Free Lance-Star). He is moving on to another job in journalism, though not sportswriting. This is without a doubt unfortunate news for fans of the Nationals. Todd has been a tremendous source of information for the happenings in the farm system, even before Stan Kasten and the Nationals chose to shine the spotlight there. I want to thank him for his efforts and wish him best of luck in the future.

The Clippers home game against the Indianapolis Indians was suspended in the bottom of the third inning in a scoreless tie. The game will be resumed Friday at 5:35 PM as the first game of a double header. The first game will be a nine inning game. The second game will be a seven inning contest. Tim Redding made the start and allowed only two hits and one walk over three innings while striking out four. 3B Brent Abernathy had the only Columbus hit, a first inning single.

Today: The susepended game will be resumed at 5:35PM with the Clippers batting with one out in the bottom of the third. CF Roger Bernadina at second base with RF Brandon Watson batting. Levale Speigner (0-0, 0.60) will take over for Redding. Game two will feature RHP Joel Hanrahan (2-2, 2.89) against Indians RHP MartyMcLeary (4-2, 3.21)

The Harrisburg/Reading game was also impacted by the weather waiting through a nearly two-hour delay before getting underway. Even though the Senators managed twelve hits, they left ten men on base in a 6-3 loss (box/gamer) to the Phillies. Starting pitcher Collin Balester went six innings allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out only two. 1B Josh Whitesell, CF Frank Diaz, and RF  Steve Mortimer each had two hits for Harrisburg in the losing cause.

Tonight: RHP Beltran Perez (4-3, 5.81) takes the mound as the Senators wrap up the series with Reading and RHP Landon Jacobsen (6-5, 4.61)

Craig Stammen, Greg Bunn, and Eddy Baeza struggled with their control walking nine Pelicans hitters en route a 7-6 loss (box). Stammen pitched the first five innings allowing three runs on five hits and five walks, with only two strikeouts. Bunn did not fare much better surrendering two runs on two hits and three walks in one plus inning of work. Baeza took the loss allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over two innings. 3B Matt Rogelstad was 2/4 with two runs scored. DH Brandon Powell was 1/5 with two RBI while RF Edgardo Baez was 1/4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. And, SS Ian Desmond walked in all three of his plate appearances, stealing two bases and scoring once.

Tonight: LHP Cory VanAllen (0-1, 9.00) takes the mound against the Pelicans and RHP Moises Hernandez (9-3, 3.92) in Myrtle Beach at 7:05PM

Hagerstown has still yet to win a second half game losing 10-4 (box). It was their seventh straight loss to open the second half of the season (and eighth overall). Yunior Novoa went five innings giving up seven runs (only four earned) on eight hits. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/5 with a two-run home run and 3B Leonard Davis, DH Joe Napoli, and CA Jhonathan Solano each had two hits in the losing effort.

Tonight: RHP Don Levinski (1-4, 6.68) takes the mound at 7:05PM in Hagerstown against Lake County RHP Paolo Espino (2-1, 3.65)

The Lake Monsters dropped their third straight decision, a 3-1 loss (box/gamer) to Lowell. Cole Kimball  walked six batters over five innings on his way to his first loss of the season. Kimball allowed three runs on three hits and those six walks while striking out four, also throwing three wild pitches. Relievers Caleb Staudt and Luke Pisker (both 2007 draft picks) pitched the final four innings allowing only one hit while striking out a combined six batters. DH Garrett Bass was 3/4 with a triple and SS Dan Lyons  drove in the only run going 1/4.

Tonight: RHP Edulin Abreu (1-1, 6.75) takes the hill at 7:05PM against Lowell RHP Miguel Socolovich (0-0, 4.50)

Steve Souza made his professional debut on Thursday as the GCL Nationals lost to the GCL Marlins in a 12-8 slugfest (box). Souza made the start at 3B finishing the day 1/3 ith a double, walk, run scored, and a hit by pitch. LF Jake Smolinski returned from a few days off due to an injury going 0/3 with an RBI. Esmailyn Gonzalez also returned from an injury playing DH, with two hits and two runs. RF Yhonson Lopez  was 1/3 with a run scored and three RBI. Marco Estrada made a rehab start for the GCL Nationals pitching one inning and striking out three batters. Brad Peacock had the toughest outing allowing six runs on four hits, one walk, and one hit batter in only 2/3 of an inning. Wuillys Bravo took the loss allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings while striking out five. Note: New commenter Brian James has some firsthand notes in the prvious posting. “Souza debuted at third base, drew a four pitch walk his first time up, bounced out to first base, was hit by a pitch that barely grazed him, struck out and doubled his final time up. He did not have a good showing defensively. He didn’t have any errors but his range was poor. Smolinski tweaked his hammy trying to leg out an infield hit, I imagine he will sit for a while now. Gonzalez was the DH, I asked and they told me his shoulder was giving him some trouble. Shane Funk and Juan De Los Santos were released, Moises Corporan was placed on the DL. Norris was added to the roster, but did not play, maybe tomorrow. Estrada started rough but finished strong. Johan Figuereo was made his debut as a pitcher.”

Today: The GCL Nationals host the GCL Dodgers at 12:00PM. Pitchers TBA.

Thanks to a tip from Patriot News’ Geoff Morrow, I’ve learned that the Washington Nationals released 3B Brandon Larson from Harrisburg after last night’s doubleheader against Reading. Replacing Larson on the Harrisburg roster will be IF Ofilio Castro from Potomac. The 31-year old Larson hit 238/289/413 with 8 home runs and 18 RBI in 52 games (189AB) with the Senators. Larson was a former 1st round draft pick (#14 overall) in 1997 by the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year old Castro was Potomac’s representative on the Carolina League All-Star team. He batted 304/359/369 in 55 games (214AB) for Potomac.

No word on who will replace Castro in Potomac.

UPDATE: The Nationals also optioned CA Brett Logan from Harrisburg to Hagerstown. The Senators presently have 23 men on their avtive roster, one below the 24-man limit

John Lannan made a second strong start for Columbus, as the Clippers held on for a 7-5 (box) win over Indianapolis on Wednesday evening. Lannan went six innings this time allowing only one earned run scattering eight hits and striking out three.  In his two Triple-A starts, Lannan has pitched 11 2/3 innings with 0.77ERA and 1.29WHIP. On the day he was selected to the Triple-A All-Star team, Chris Booker pitched around trouble in the ninth, allowing a run on two hits, picking up his organizational leading 21st save of the season. LF Mike Restovich (2/4) got the scoring off early with a first inning two-run home run. 2B Brent Abernathy was 2/3 with a solo home run and two runs scored and 1B Larry Broadway was 1/2 with two walks and a solo home run. On the downside, CF Roger Bernadina is still hitless in thirteen Triple-A plate appearances and 3B Kory Casto was 0/4 with three strikeouts.

Tonight: RHP Tim Redding (9-5, 5.50) looks for his tenth victory of the season against Indianapolis (Pirates affiliate) LHP Sean Burnett (4-4, 4.45) at 7:05PM.

The Senators split a doubleheader on City Island, dropping the opener 10-4 (box) before gaining the split with a 4-1 victory (box) in the second game. In game one, starter Jerome Williams struggled with the longball, allowing three home runs in his five innings pitched. Williams’ left the game after allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over five inning of work. Fortunately for Williams, the Senators tied the game at four in the bottom of the fifth on 3B Brandon Larson’s  eight home run of the season, a solo shot. Unfortunately for the Senators, reliever Jon Albaladejo gave the lead right back, getting knocked around for six runs in the top of the sixth inning. Albaladejo lasted only 1/3 of an inning surrendering all six runs (only four earned as a result of two Harrisburg errors) on three hits and two walks.  Aside from Larson’s home run, SS Marcos Yepez provided the only other offensive highlight going 2/4 with a run scored and an RBI. In the second game, Jim Magrane held the Phillies at bay over six innings allowing only one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out one. The game was delayed for nearly an hour between the first and second inning by rain, but Magrane and Brett Campbell (1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K) kept Reading off the scoreboard allowing the Senators to gain the split. 2B Seth Bynum was at the center of practically all of the Harrisburg offense, scoring the first run on a Josh Whitesell sacrifice fly, hitting a tie breaking fifth inning solo home run, and driving in the third run on a bases loaded walk. Bynum finished the game 2/2 with a walk, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Tonight:  RHP Collin Balester (2-5, 3.53) matched up with Reading (Phillies affiliate) RHP Zach Segovia (1-0, 0.00) at 6:35PM in the fourth game of a five-game series

The P-Nats ran into a hot pitcher in Myrtle Beach, dropping a 5-1 decision (box). Pelican starting pitcher Jo.nathan Venters held Potomac to only one run on four hits over eight innings, striking out eight P-Nats hitters. The only Potomac run was courtesy of an eighth inning solo home run by CA Brian Peacock who had a 2/3 evening. Justin Jones took the loss for the P-Nats allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings of work. A good news start is the re-emergence of former starting pitcher Clint Everts in the bullpen. Everts pitched the final two innings without allowing hit and striking out four batters. Since his move to the pen, Everts has made five apperances (11 2/3IP) with a 1.23ERA, 1.23WHIP, and 11 strikeouts.

Tonight: RHP Craig Stammen (5-4, 4.22) takes the mound against Myrtle Beach (Braves affiliate) RHP Jairo Cuevas (4-8, 4.43) at 7:05PM

Hagerstown opens a nine-game homestand tonight at 7:05PM against Lake County (Indians affiliate). Suns LHP Yunior Novoa (5-6, 3.69) faces off against Captains RHP Hector Rondon (5-4, 3.86).

Lake Monsters pitchers struggled with their control, walking ten batters en route to a 6-2 loss (box/gamer) to Oneonta. Starting pitcher Colton Willems escaped unscathed on the scoreboard but walked a tightrope surrendering five hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings. He only struck out one batter. Adrian Alaniz came on in relief and pitched better allowing only one run on one hit and two walks in three innings of work while striking out three. Ryan Buchter, a draft-and-follow signing from the 2005 draft, took the loss allowing three runs in only 1/3 of inning of work. CF Boomer Whiting made his professional debut for the Nationals batting leadoff and going 1/5 with a stolen base and a strike out. 2B Jake Rogers was 2/4 with an RBI.

Tonight: RHP Cole Kimball (0-0, 3.86) faces off with Lowell (Red Sox affiliate) and RHP Jimmy James (0-0, 0.00) at 7:05PM

The GCL Nationals are back in action today at 12:00PM against the GCL Marlins in Viera. Reports have it that 2007 3rd round selection Steve Souza and 4th round selection Derek Norris  will make their professional debuts in right field and catching, respectively. LHP Atahaulpa Severino (0-0, 3.60) is the probable starter for the GCL Nats.

The Nationals outrighted RHP Beltran Perez to Double-A Harrisburg today. Perez is 4-3 with a 5.81 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) with Harrisburg in 2007. With this move the Nationals 40-man roster has 35 players.

Over the past couple of weeks the Nationals have been cleaning up their 40-man roster, removing players who are not part of the long-term plan. Larry Broadway, Mike Hinckley, and Frank Diaz were removed last week. The Nationals appear to be clearing spots on their 40-man for players that are acquired via trades.

Clippers RHRP Chris Booker is the lone Columbus representative on the 2007 International League All-Star team. Booker is 1-2 with a 3.74ERA 1.25WHIP in 33 appearances. He has struck out 42 batters in 33 2/3 innings of work and his 20 saves are second most in the International League. The 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game is scheduled for July 11 in Albuquerque, NM.

The Clippers were unable to mount much of an offense against the Indians, collecting only six singles in a 5-1 loss (box/gamer). Emiliano Fruto surrendered all five runs in 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing eight hits and striking out only two. Levale Speigner made his first appearance for Columbus contributing 1 2/3 innings only walking one. Winston Abreu continued to dominate Triple-A hitters striking out seven in two innings (a wild pitch on one strikeout allowed him to K four in the ninth). LF Mike Restovich was 2/4, driving in the only Columbus run. Notes: OF Brandon Watson was optioned back to Columbus as the Nationals reinstated UTIL Robert Fick from the breavement list. Additionally, the Nationals traded RHRP Jermaine Van Buren to the Oakland Athletics for a PTBNL. Rumors that the player is OF Milton Bradley were denied by Nationals GM Jim Bowden.

Tonight: LHP John Lannan (1-0, 0.00) makes his second start for the Clippers tonight at 7:05PM against Indianapolis RHP John Wasdin (1-1, 5.97)

A five-run fifth inning was the downfall of the Senators as Harrisburg dropped a 6-2 decision (box/gamer) to Reading. Facing off against the Phillies top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco, the Senators could muster only four hits and three walks. Starter Mike Hinckley was ineffective in his four plus innings, allowing four runs six hits and three walks. Hinckley left the game in the fifth after walking the bases loaded and surrendering a two-run single. Reliever Josh Hall could not stop the scoring allowing one inherited runner to score and then two of his own, putting Harrisburg down 6-2. Zech Zinicola pitched the final inning without allowing hit, but walking two. In the month of June, Zinixola has made seven appearances (13 1/3 IP) with a 0.68ERA and 1.13WHIP, the issue with him has been his control as he has walked ten batters and only struck out four in that same timeframe. RF Steve Mortimer was 1/4 with an RBI and 2B Seth Bynum drove in the other run with a sacrifice fly.

Today: The Senators and Phillies face off in a double header (two seven inning games) starting at 5:35PM. In game one, RHP Jerome Williams (0-1, 4.91) faces off with Reading RHP Patrick Overholt (0-2, 6.55). In the second game, RHP Jim Magrane (1-4, 4.50) takes on RHP Chris Rojas (2-1, 6.48)

LF Chris Marrero delivered the clutch two-run double in the bottom of the eighth putting the P-Nats ahead by a run on their way to a 4-2 win (box/gamer) over Frederick. Marrero finished the game 1/3 scoring the final insurance run. CF Mike Daniel was 2/4 with his 4th stolen base in the Carolina League and 3B Matt Rogelstad was 2/4 with a run scored. Shairon Martis made the start for Potomac, turning in a solid six innings allowing four hits and one run while striking out six. Josh Perrault picked up the victory in his two innings of relief and Adam Carr walked the tightrope for his thir save of the season. Carr pitched the ninth, walking two batters with one-out before setting the next two hitters down on strikes. Notes: Brian Hunsicker of the Potomac News has a good piece on P-Nats 1B Brett McMillan. McMillan’s father Doug was a Nationals’ regional scout (Pacific Northwest) who passed away earlier this season. Doug McMillan was responsible for signing guys like Kory Casto and Stephen Englund.

Tonight: The P-Nats hit the road for a series in Myrtle Beach. LHP Justin Jones (2-3, 4.11) takes on LHP Jonathan Venters (0-3, 3.23) at 7:05PM

The Hagerstown Suns still have not won a game in the second half, losing 9-2 (box) to Lake County. Starting pitcher Jhonny Nunez fell to 1-6 after allowing four runs on six hits and four walks in five innings of work (he did strike out six). Relievers Yader Peralta and Joseph Welsh were equally ineffective surrendering five runs on six hits on only two combined innings of work. 3B Leonard Davis was 3/4 with his 10th home run on the season in the losing cause. This month, Davis has batted 313/370/522 in 19 games (67AB) with two home runs and nine RBI.

The Suns are off today before starting a three-game home series with Lake County on Thursday

The Lake Monsters lost their first home game of the season blowing a lead late, lsoing 4-2 (box/gamer) to Oneonta. Reliever Buzz Vargas took the loss allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. This spoiled another solid start by Glenn Gibson. Gibson pitched six innings allowing six hits and striking out five. He allowed only a sixth inning home run. CF Mark Gildea was 1/3 with an RBI and two stolen bases. 1B Bill Rhinehart was 1/3 with a walk and a run scored, and DH Garrett Bass was 2/4 with an RBI double.

Tonight: RHP Colton Willems (1-0, 3.60) matches up against Oneonta RHP Mark Brackman (0-0, 0.00) at 7:05PM in Vermont

The GCL Nationals blew an early lead, surrendering four runs in the bottom of the ninth en route to a 6-4 loss (box) to the GCL Mets. Garrett Mock made an injury rehab start pitching the first two innings allowing no runs and no hits while striking out one. 2007 7th and 10th rounders Patrick McCoy and PJ Dean followed up with their professional debuts. McCoy allowed three hits over two innings and Dean went two innings surrendering one unearned run on one hit. Neither McCoy nor Dean walked or struck out a hitter. Justin Phillabaum (2007 29th round) took the loss giving up all four runs on three hits. The GCL Nationals were not helped on defense where 3B Angel De Castro made four fielding errors, including three in the fifth inning alone. SS Stephen King homered in his third consecutive game, a three-run shot in the third.

The GCL Nationals do not play today. They have a home game against the GCL Marlins scheduled for 12PM tomorrow

In his blog, Barry Svrluga mentioned

Couple other low-level draft picks signed yesterday, too, and now 31 of 53 picks have inked. (Favorite headlines: So-and-so Inks Pact)

The Nationals have confirmed for me that the two players signed were:

• 33rd round RHP Jeff McCollum from Southern University A&M
• 48th round RHP Kyle Gunderson from Rice University

The Clippers survived a late rally from the Lynx taking three out of four from Ottawa with a 4-3 vicotry (box/gamer) on Monday evening. LHP Chris Michalak made the start for Columbus putting together seven innings of four-hit shutout ball while striking out one batter. Michalak did not let a batter past second base. He was aided in the second inning by a bizarre double CS by the Lynx. With runners on first and second and nobody out, Ottawa’s Gary Burnham was caught trying to steal 3rd, but this is where the play got odd. Ottawa’s Jason Jaramillo tried to make it 2nd but was cut down on the all too common, shortstop to pitcher to second baseman to pitcher to first baseman to third baseman to shortstop putout. For those scoring at home, the double CS went 2-5-6-1-4-1-3-5-6.  The Clippers took an early 3-0 in the first inning on three walks, one IF single, an errant pickoff throw, and sacrifice flies by Larry Broadway and Abraham Nunez. Columbus extended its lead to 4-0 courtesy of three more walks and a fielding error in the seventh. The Lynx made things interesting in the ninth as relievers Alex Morales and Arnie Munoz  both surrendered home runs cutting the lead to 4-3. Chris Booker earned his 20th save of the season getting the final two outs.

Tonight: RHP Emiliano Fruto (3-3, 3.48) faces off at home (7:05PM) against LHP Shane Youman (3-6, 5.11) and the Indianapolis Indians (Pirates affiliate)

Not to be outdone by Columbus, Harrisburg took a four game series of their own, defeating Binghamton 6-2 (box/gamer) behind seven strong innings from Mike O’Connor. O’Connor allowed only two runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Dan Kolb and Brett Campbell held the Mets at bay for the final two innings securing the victory. The Senators took the lead for good in the third inning aided by an RBI single from 1B Josh Whitesell (3/5 with a run scored). RF Steve Mortimer (1/5) put the game out of reach with a three-run home run in the seventh.

Tonight: The Senators move on to Reading, where LHP Mike Hinckley (6-6, 5.02) matches up with one of the Phillies top prospects, RHP Carlos Carrasco (1-0, 1.80) at 6:35PM

Potomac dropped the game 2-1 (box/gamer) to the Frederick with keys starting pitcher Chorye Spoone holding the Nationals hitless through 7 1/3 innings before RF Edgardo Baez broke it up with a clean single to center field.  The P-Nats managed to break through on the scoreboard with a ninth inning run courtesy of an RBI single by LF Chris Marrero, who finished the game 1/4. CF Mike Daniel,0/3 with a walk, was the only Potomac starter not to strike out against Frederick. Lost in the shuffle of Spoone’s start was a solid six innings of work from starting pitcher Jack Spradlin, who went the first six innings allowing only one run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight.  Notes: Cleaning up the roster moves from yesterday, the P-Nats activated 3B Brandon Powell from the DL (Powell had been rehabbing with the GCL Nationals). Additionally, CA Devin Ivany will be joining the Nationals from Hagerstown for this afternoon’s game.

Today: The P-Nats wrap up their homestand with a 12:05PM game featuring Potomac RHP Shairon Martis (5-5, 4.96) and Frederick (Orioles affiliate) RHP David Hernandez (4-5, 4.88)

Hagerstown is still winless since returning from their All-Star break, dropping the first game of a four-game series in Lake County 5-3 (box) to the Captains. The Suns are 0-5 since the All-Star break and have dropped six games in a row. LHP Zach Baldwin  made the spot start for Hagerstown lasting 3 1/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six. 2007 19th round pick RHP Jeff Mandel (who was added to the roster yesterday) took the loss allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings of work. LF Marvin Lowrance was 2/4 with a home run and two RBI in the loss.

Tonight: RHP Jhonny Nunez (1-5, 4.15) wraps up the quick two-game series in Lake County (Indians affiliate) and RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-6, 6.10) at 7:05PM

Vermont extended their record at home to 4-0 with a 5-3 win (box/gamer) over Oneonta. Starting pitcher Hassan Pena picked up his second win in as many outings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks in five innings. Nationals second round selection RHP Jordan Zimmermann made his professional debut with two innings of one-hit shutout relief, striking out three. 2007 17th rounder Luke Pisker struck out the side his one inning of work, and 2006 20th rounder Alberto Tavarez picked up his second save though he allowed a run on two hits and two walks in his inning of work. 2007 22nd round selection 2B Jake Rogers provided a bul of the offense going 2/3 with a two-run double and tying breaking home run. 2007 12th rounder CA Craig Stinson was 2/4 with 2 RBI and 27th rounder Aaron Seuss was 3/4.

Tonight: LHP Glenn Gibson (0-0, 0.00) makes his second start of the season against Oneonta (Tigers affiliate) and RHP Sendy Vazquez (0-1, 18.00) at 7:05PM

The GCL Nationals won their second game of the season battling back from a blown save in the top of the ninth, defeating the GCL Cardinals 4-3 (box). Starting pitcher Randy Matias bounced back from an ugly first start with five innings of shutout ball allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four. Stephen King made the start at SS going 2/5 with a two-run home run. DH Robert Tolan, a undrafted minor league free agent signed by the Nationals this year, was 2/3 with a double and two runs scored.

Today: RHP Moises Corporan? (0-0, 0.00) may be on the mound as the GCL Nationals travel to a 12:05PM game against the GCL Mets