Nationals Farm Authority

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