Nationals Farm Authority

Tip of the cap to Mark Zuckerman who provided me with the attendees for the Nationals Fall Instructional League. Update: Doing a little digging uncovered this Scout.com interview with Mike Rizzo when he worked with the Diamondbacks. I imagine it has applicablity to what to expect from the Nationals this fall.

• The Instructional League really aren’t about evaluation. We evaluate the players during the season, in Spring, really all year long, and this League is about taking what we have seen, focusing on specific deficiencies we’ve spotted during the season, and working on them.
• We really get a chance to delve into things with the players, and get them one on one, sometimes even four on one, instruction.
• We’re definitely monitoring the pitcher’s game time innings, and they’ll all be on pretty strict pitch counts, but this is really an important time for the pitchers. We’ve got a lot of great coaches down there, and a lot of great pitching coaches down there. What we’ll do with these guys is focus on a pitch, or on a certain aspect of their delivery, and really try to refine it. It’s not about the quantity of innings there, it’s about the quality of innings
• We don’t consciously say we’re going to spend more time with the best players, but I think everyone, including the players, recognize who the really top prospects are. You look at a guy who’s got average ability, and there’s only so much you can do for that guy, but if you see somebody with exceptional stuff, with something special, and you want to work with them as much as possible. It’s the great thing about this league though, there are so many coaches that just because you’re working with one guy you can still work just as hard with another, which is just something you can’t do during a season
• You get to experiment with guys in ways that you can’t do during a season when players are trying to win games, and this is just a great vehicle for that. Pitchers especially benefit, because they have three or four pitching coaches and those guys feed off one another. A kid gets to sit down with each one of those coaches and take it what they have to offer

Minor League News & Notes … Mark Zuckerman has a few of the names of the Nationals farmhands attending the Instructional League “Forty-nine Nationals farmhands will participate in the Fall Instructional League. Workouts begin Sept. 17 in Viera, Fla., with a 16-game schedule beginning Sept. 22. Among the organization’s top prospects playing this fall are pitchers Luis Atilano, Glenn Gibson, Josh Smoker, Colton Willems and Jordan Zimmermann; infielders Stephen King and Esmailyn Gonzalez; and outfielders Michael Burgess, Mike Daniel and Chris Marrero.” … I am working on getting the complete list of attendees … speaking of fall/winter league baseball, I have confirmed that given the Nationals will be holding an Instructional League, they will not be sending any players to the Hawaii Winter Baseball League

Columbus had a forgettable evening in Indianapolis, dropping the game 9-3 (box). Billy Traber allowed eight runs (four earned) on nine hits in only 3 2/3 innings. 2B Bernie Castro was 2/4 with a run scored; 1B Larry Broadway was 1/3 with a solo home run; and 2B Brent Abernathy was 3/4 with a double, run scored and RBI.

Tonight: Columbus opens up their final home stand of the season, a two-game series against Toledo with Clippers LHP Chris Michalak (5-7, 3.13) versus Mudhens RHP Virgil Vasquez (12-5, 3.48) at 7:25PM

Harrisburg fell behind early and never got back into it, losing 7-2 to Erie (box). Garrett Mock made his final Eastern League start of the season surrendering all seven runs (four earned) on nine hits and five walks over six innings, striking out five. Devin Perrin and David Trahan provided a combined three shutout innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out three. CF Roger Bernadina was 2/4 with his 40th stolen base of the season. And, DH Josh Whitesell was 1/3 with a double, run, and RBI, returning to the lineup after back spasms caused him to miss the last week.

Tonight: Harrisburg opens their final series of the season, a four-game home stand with Reading. Senators LHP Justin Jones (1-0, 4.91) matches up with Phillies RHP Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.48) at 6:35PM

Potomac won their tenth straight game, riding strong pitching from Marco Estrada and home runs from Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond to a 3-2 victory over Lynchburg (box). Estrada finished hisCarolina League season 5-3 after throwing six innings allowing two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts. Estrada finished the month of August 4-1 with a 2.61ERA and 1.03WHIP with 33 strikeouts and only five walks in 31IP. CF Justin Maxwell was 2/4 with a pair of solo home runs. Maxwell now has twenty-six combine home runs, twelve in the Carolina League, and ten alone in the month of August. SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with a double and a solo home run. And LF Mike Daniel was 3/3 with a walk.

Tonight: Potomac plays their final home game of the season tonight against Lynchburg. P-Nats RHP Shairon Martis (13-8, 4.47) throws against Hillcats RHP Derek Hankins (8-5, 5.20 ERA) at 7:35PM

Hagerstown’s game with Delmarva was called due to inclement weather in the eighth innings with game knotted at 2-2, neither teams will be credited with a win or charged with a loss, but the statistics will count (box). Chris Lugo pitched five innings allowing only one run on six hits. Yader Peralta threw two shutout innings of relief allowing one hit and two walks. Josh Wilkie allowed the game-tying run on one hit in one inning of work. SS Michael Martinez was 3/3 with a run scored. RF Joe Napoli  was 1/3 with one RBI. And, CA John Poppert was 2/3 with one RBI.

Tonight: Hagerstown opens their final home series of the season, a two-gamer against Lakewood at 7:05PM. Suns LHP Zach Baldwin (4-5, 3.76) faces BlueClaws LHP Antonio Bastardo (9-0, 1.87)

Vermont finally got back on track with Jordan Zimmermann starting in his second straight shutout, blanking Oneonta 6-0 (box/gamer). Zimmermann allowed only one hit in his five innings of work, walking one and striking out nine to move to 5-1 on the season. Zimmermann is 3-0 in August with a 1.17ERA and 1.09WHIP with 31 strikeouts and seven walks in 23 IP. Caleb Staudt and Luke Pisker pitched the final four innings allowing only one additional hit and striking out a combined six. SH Boomer Whiting was 1/5 with his 31st steal of the season (in 54 games). 1B Aaron Seuss was 2/3 with a run and RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 3/3 with one run and one RBI. CF  Stephen Englund was 1/4 with one RBI.

Tonight: LHP Glenn Gibson (4-2, 2.79) wraps up the quick two-game home series with Oneonta at 7:05PM. He’ll be opposed by Tigers RHP Jay Sborz (0-0, 4.32)

The DSL Nationals1 got their first taste of playoff action as they rallied from a 9-8 deficit to walk off with a 10-9 victory over the DSL Angels on an Eduardo Urbina single in the bottom of the ninth (box). Urbina was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. RF/LF Valerio Heredia was 1/4 with three runs scored and one RBI. DH Danny Taveras was 2/4 with a double, stolen base, two runs, and two RBI. LF Juan Beltre was 2/4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Federico Tanco started for the DSL Nats1 allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings,s triking out six. Juan Jamie pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing a run on two hits but getting all four outs on strikeouts. Carlos Peralta blew the save allowing an unearned run in his two innings of work but picked up the win when the Nats rallied in the ninth.

Today: The DSL Nationals1 look to close out the best-of-three series with an 11:00AM game in San Pedro de Macorís at Anaheim’s Complex. The winner of this series will take on the winner of the DSL Yankees1 and DSL Pirates series (Yankees1 leading 1-0) 

Columbus managed to hold Indianapolis to only two hits but could not push a run across, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Indians (box/gamer). Collin Balester allowed only one unearned run on two hits and one walk over six innings of work while striking out four. John Lannan pitched the final two perfect innings striking out two. The Clippers could only manage six hits. CF Ryan Langerhans was 2/4. 2B Bernie Castro stole his 33rd base on the season.

Tonight: LHP Billy Traber (2-2, 2.21 ERA) faces Indianapolis RHP Victor Zambrano (4-2, 5.95) at 7:00PM

Harrisburg had held off Erie’s celebration for two nights, but on Wednesday, the Seawolves finally clinched the Eastern League’s Southern division with a 5-4 victory (box/gamer). Jim Magrane allowed three runs on eight hits and four walks. Brett Campbell took the loss surrendering two ninth inning runs on three hits and three walks. CF Roger Bernadina was 2/4 with a walk and a run scored. CA Luke Montz was 1/4 with a two-run home run.

Tonight: RHP Garrett Mock (1-4, 5.76) takes on Erie RHP Burke Badenhop (1-0, 1.29) at 6:35PM

Potomac won its ninth game in a row, dumping Lynchburg 5-1 behind strong pitching from Craig Stammen, Clint Everts, and Jack Spradlin (box/gamer). Stammen scattered six hits and one run over four innings, striking out five. Everts picked up the win with four innings of one-hit shutout relief, also striking out five. Spradlin finished it off striking out two in a scoreless ninth. 2B Matt Rogelstad was 1/3 with a triple and three RBI. RF Marvin Lowrance was 2/4 with a double and solo home run. LF Chris Marrero was 2/4 with a triple and two runs scored. SS Ian Desmond was 1/3 with a triple.

Tonight: RHP Marco Estrada (4-3, 5.16) takes on Lynchburg (pitcher TBA) at 7:35PM

Hagerstown was blasted by Delmarva 14-1 allowing at least one run in every inning except the eighth and avoiding the shutout by plating a run in the bottom of the ninth (box). Jeff Mandel was torched for eight runs (all earned) on eight hits over three innings. Joseph Welsh allowed three runs (two earned) over three innings, Devin Drag two runs (both earned) in two innings, and Buzz Vargas one earned run in one inning. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 2/4 with a double and the only Suns RBI.

Tonight: RHP Chris Lugo (2-5, 5.60) takes on Delmarva (pitcher TBA) at 7:05PM

Vermont lost its fifth game in a row, dropping an 8-2 decision to Tri-City (box/gamer). Cole Kimball took the loss allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits over 3 2/3 innings thogh he did strike out five. Martin Beno pitched the final two scoreless innings striking out three. CF Stephen Englund was 2/4 with a double and a run scored. RF Michael Burgess was 1/4.

Tonight: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (4-1, 1.81) opens the Monsters final homestand of the season against Oneonta and RHP Mark Brackman (3-3, 4.33) at 7:05PM

The Vermont Lake Monsters have added LHSPs Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary to their active roster for the final ten games of the season. To make room for the two, SS Stephen King (hamstring) and RHRP Matt Perks (unknown) were placed on the disabled list.

Columbus got a strong first start from Beltran Perez as the Clippers beat Indianapolis 5-3 (box). Perez allowed only two runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out four. Winston Abreu picked up the save with the final 1 1/3 perfect innings. 2B Bernie Castro was 3/5 with a double, home run, stolen base, two runs scored and three RBI. Over his last ten games, Castro is hitting 0.316 with eight stolen bases. LF/3B Kory Casto (0/3 with a walk) and RF Abraham Nunez (1/5 with a double) each had one RBI for the Clippers. Notes: Correcting myself from yesterday, RHRP Hector Carrasco was not released. He was only placed on the DL with a dore arm. Additionally, OF George Lombard was placed on the DL with a bruised Achilles.

Tonight: RHP Collin Balester (2-2, 4.99) takes on Indianapolis RHP Marty McLeary (4-7, 4.64) at 7:00PM

Harrisburg played small ball, mounting a four-run comeback in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Erie 5-4 (box/gameblog). The Senators entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-1 without a hit since a Brandon Powell lead-off double in the fourth. Marcos Yepez and Dan Dement led off with singles. After a Powell fielder’s choice put runners at the corners, Frank Diaz and Tony Blanco (Sheldon Fulse pinch-ran for Blanco) both singled driving in a run apiece, making it a 4-3 game. An Ofilio Castro single tied the game at 4-4 with runners on first and second. After a Steve Mortimer strikeout, Javi Herrera sent the fans home happy with a single scoring Fulse. Yepez was 2/4 and is batting 348/402/402 in August. Dement was 3/3 with a pair of doubles and is hitting 0.378 with eight RBI in his last ten games. Gerald Plexico made the start pitching five shutout innings allowing only three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Adam Carr pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings, striking out one. And, Alex Morales picked up the win with a scoreless ninth.

Tonight: RHP Jim Magrane (5-8, 4.05) faces off with Erie RHP Dallas Trahern (12-6, 3.85) at 6:35PM

Potomac went back and forth early with Lynchburg before pulling away for an 8-4 win on Tuesday evening (box/gamer). SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with two runs and two stolen bases. This month, Desmond is hitting 345/440/512. CF Justin Maxwell, who is hitting 0.394 over his last ten games, was 1/4 with a double, RBI, stolen base, and two runs scored. RF Mike Daniel was 5/2 with a pair of RBI. 2B Matt Rogelstad was 2/3 with a run and RBI. 1B Brett McMillan was 2/4 with a double and a solo home run. Brad Meyers started for Potomac allowing three runs on six hits over four innings. The Potomac bullpen was solid in relief allowing only one run, one hit and one walk over the final five innings while striking out seven. Greg Bunn picked up the win with two innings of one-hit relief and Gene Yost got his first save of the season with the final tow scoreless, striking out three.

Tonight: RHP Craig Stammen (8-6, 4.24) takes on Lynchburg RHP Jose Diaz (3-2, 6.18) at 7:35PM

Hagerstown also managed to walk off with a bottom of the ninth victory, defeating Delmarva 6-5 (box/gamer). CF Francisco Plasencia doubled in PR  Lindon Bond and 1B Robby Jacobsen for the win. Plasencia was 2/5 with three RBI and is hitting 330/391/588 with seven home runs and twenty-two RBI in the month of August. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 2/4 with two RBI. Erik Arnesen pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing two unearned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Aaron Jackson picked up win though he allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits in two innings of work.

Tonight: RHP Jeff Mandel (4-6, 6.20) versus Delmarva RHP Pedro Beato (7-8, 4.10) at 7:05PM

Vermont avoided being no-hit last night when 3B Anthony Benner singled with two outs in the eighth as the Lake Monsters were blanked 7-0 by Tri-City (box/gamer). Hassan Pena started for Vermont allowing five runs on seven innings. Over his last three starts, Pena has been torched for sixteen earned runs on seventeen hits and ten walks in only 12 2/3 innings of work.

Tonight: RHP Cole Kimball (2-5, 4.04) takes the mound in Tri-City against RHP Luis Pardo (0-8, 6.03) at 7:00PM

Columbus split a doubleheader with Indianapolis, getting shutout 7-0 in game one and returning the favor 3-0 in game two (box1/box2). Matt Chico took the loss in game one, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings of work with four strikeouts. The Clippers only managed four singles on offense, one each by CF Ryan Langerhans, RF Abraham Nunez, 3B Brent Abernathy, and SS Manny Alexander. In the second game, Levale Speigner and three relievers combined on a five-hit shutout. Speigner pitched the first four innings allowing three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Jon Albaladejo picked up the win with one inning of relief striking out two. Winston Abreu struck out one in his inning of work. And, Chris Booker picked up his 30th save of the season striking out two in the seventh. Langerhans was 1/3 with a double and a run scored. Abernathy was 1/4 with one RBI. And 1B, Larry Broadway was 2/3 with a solo home run, his eleventh of the season. Notes: It appears that RHRP Hector Carrasco was released from Columbus to make a space for Perez.

Tonight: RHP Beltran Perez (NR) takes on Indianapolis LHP Michael Tejera (8-4, 3.93) at 7:00PM

Harrisburg rallied back from an early 7-1 deficit, scoring ten unanswered runs to dump the Erie Seawolves 11-7 (box/gamer). The Senators fell behind early as starting pitcher Mike O’Connor was touched up for three home runs among his nine hits over four innings. O’Connor was charged with seven earned runs. Devin Perrin picked up the win in relief, going two scoreless, striking out three. Zech Zinicola picked up his sixth save on the season with three perfect innings striking out two. DH Tony Blanco (2/4) hit a two-run home run in his return from the DL (OF Dee Brown was placed on the DL making a space for Blanco). CA Luke Montz was 1/4 with a home run and three RBI. 1B Dan Dement was 1/4 with three RBI. And, CF Roger Bernadina was 3/5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored.

Tonight: LHP Jeremy Plexico (1-5, 4.55) versus Erie RHP Andrew Kown (5-8, 4.63) at 6:35PM

Potomac completed the four-game sweep of Myrtle Beach, winning the suspended first game 6-0 and holding off a late Pelicans charge for a 4-3 win in the regularly scheduled game (box1/box2/gamer). Ross Detwiler took over for Sunday starter Craig Stammen and showed signs of what made Detwiler a first round selection in 2007. Detwiler kept the Pelicans off-balance for six innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out three. Detwiler let his defense help him out, inducing nine groundball outs. RF Mike Daniel was 2/4 with a pair of runs scored. 2B Matt Rogelstad was 1/2 with a double, run scored and three RBI. DH Marvin Lowrance was 3/3 with a home run and three RBI. In the second game, Cory VanAllen struck out eight Pelicans in his five innings of work, allowing only one run on five hits. CF Justin Maxwell was 2/3 with a double and one RBI. Matt Rogelstad was 2/2 with a triple and a run scored. And DH Devin Ivany was 0/2 but socred once and drove in two runs.  Notes: The Potomac News profiled Justin Maxwell.

Tonight: Potomac opens up their final home series of the season against Lynchburg at 7:35PM. RHP Brad Meyers (0-0, 9.00) matches up with RHP Todd Redmond (7-10, 4.62)

Hagerstown ended up splitting the four-game home & home with Lakewood, losing both games in Hagerstown including Monday’s 3-1 defeat (box/gamer). Yunior Novoa picked up his 12th loss of the season allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings of work. Novoa struck out five ‘Claws hitters without walking a batter. Yader Peralta pitched the final three scoreless innings allowing only one hit. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/4 with a solo home run for the Suns.

Tonight: Hagerstown opens a three-game home series with Delmarva with tonight’s 7:05PM game. RHP Erik Arnesen (5-7, 5.22) takes un RHP Kyle Schmidt (6-8, 3.69)

Vermont was swept away at home by Brooklyn as the bullpen faltered in a 7-6 loss (box/gamer). Colton Willems pitched a solid five shutout innings scattering six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Randy Matias took the loss allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in only 1 1/3 innings. Luke Pisker struck out the side in the ninth. LF Boomer Whiting was 2/5 with two RBI and two stolen bases. SS Dan Lyons was 1/2 with one RBI and one stolen base. DH Aaron Seuss was 2/5 with three RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with a pair of walks ond one run scored.

Tonight: RHP Hassan Pena (4-4, 3.86) opens Vermont’s series at Tri-City against RHP Carlos Ladeuth (0-4, 2.94)

The GCL Nationals wrapped up their season with a 2-2 tie with the GCL Marlins (box). Brad Peacock started going two innings allowing one run on two hits while striking out two. Justin Phillabaum pitched three scoreless innings allowing only one hit and one walk while stirking out two. SS Frank Cruz was 1/2 with a walk and a stolen base. RF Yhonson Lopez was 1/3 with a two-run home run.

The Nationals have announced the players who will be participating in the 2007 Arizona Fall League. On the 2007 Peoria Javelinas are the following seven Nationals …

• RHPs: Adam Carr, Garrett Mock, Alex Morales, and Zech Zinicola
• CA: Jesus Flores 
• IF: Kory Casto (listed as an IF)
• OF: Justin Maxwell

The Nationals are sending one starting pitcher and three relievers to Arizona. Mock will likely be a member of the starting rotation given that of the fifteen pitchers named to the Javelinas, Mock is one of only five pitchers who have started (and one of those Steven Jackson has pitched out of the bullpen for the Yankees in Triple-A). Colorado still has four arms and Seattle one, so Mock could have more competition more starts. Carr, Morales, and Zinicola are among ten RHRPs on the roster. Flores will be competing for playing time with Mariners top prospect Jeff Clement (selected with the pick before Ryan Zimmerman in 2005). Christian Colonel is also listed as a 3B meaning Casto will likely compete for ABs with him. At present, there are only four OFs listed on the Javelinas roster, meaning Maxwell will likely see regular ABs, but as is the case with Casto, some of the infielders could play the OF.

Columbus took two out of three games over the weekend against Louisville, winning 12-9 on Friday (box/gamer); winning 3-2 on Saturday (box/gamer); and losing 3-1 on Sunday (box).

• Friday: The Clippers won a slugfest led by CA Brandon Harper who was 4/5 with a three-run home run and two runs scored. 2B Bernie Castro was 3/6 with three runs scored. LF Kory Casto was 2/6 with three RBI. 1B Larry Broadway was 2/5 with a double and two RBI. RF Abraham Nunez was 2/4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Collin Balester started but did not figure in the decision, going four innings allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. Chris Booker picked up his 28th save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
• Saturday: Abraham Nunez’s (2/3) two-run home run in the seventh tied the game and a sacrifice fly by CA Juan Brito (0/2) put the Clippers ahead to stay. Billy Traver gave Columbus five strong innings allowing only a solo home run among his five hits while striking out six. Jon Albaladejo picked up the win in relief with two innings allowing a solo home run and striking out one. Chris Booker  added his 29th save striking out two in a perfect ninth.
• Sunday: Columbus missed ou on the three-game road sweep as they could muster only four hits (two for extra bases, doubles by Bernie Castro and Melvin Dorta). Chris Michalak took the loss allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings of work.
• Notes: RHP Beltran Perez was added from Harrisburg. LHP John Lannan was sent down from Washington (he’ll likely not pitch and only occupy a roster spot there until September 1st roster expansion). RHP Jason Bergmann was activated from the DL

Tonight: The Clippers open a series in Indianapolis with a doubleheader starting at 6:00PM. LHP Matt Chico (1-0, 0.00) & possibly RHP Beltran Perez (NR) throwing for Columbus.

Harrisburg split a four-game series in Altoona. After losing on Thursday, the Senators won 6-5 on Friday (box/gamer); lost 7-6 on Saturday (box/gamer); and won 6-3 on Sunday (box/gamer).

• Friday: Jim Magrane scattered four runs and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings but it took a pair of solo home runs in the top of the ninth for the Senators to pull out the win. Adam Carr picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings allowing one run on one hit and two walks.  David Trahan got the save with a scoreless ninth. CF Roger Bernadina (1/4 with two runs and one SB) and LF  Frank Diaz (2/4 with two runs and one SB) hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth giving Harrisburg the lead for good. 3B/LF Dan Dement was 3/5 with two doubles and three RBI in his first game back since the birth of his second child.
• Saturday: Harrisburg blew a 6-2 lead, kicking away an ugly game in which they made five errors. 2B Brandon Powell was 3/4 with a double and two runs scored. RF  Frank Diaz was 2/5 with a double and a run scored. CA Luke Montz was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. Garrett Mock started for Harrisburg allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings of work. A more promising sign was his 9/4 groundball/flyball ratio, Mock is at his best when he gets groundballs. The bullpen (Carlos Martinez, Alex Morales, and Zech Zinicola) allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks over the final three innings.
• Sunday: Justin Jones made his return to Harrisburg, picking up the victory with six innings allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six and not walking a batter. David Trahan and Brett Campbell pitched the final three scoreless innings allowing only one baserunner. Roger Bernadina was 1/5 with a double, two RBI and his 39th stolen base of the season. SS Marcos Yepez was 3/4 with a double and a run scored. LF Sheldon Fulse was 2/4 with a double and two runs scored. 3B Ofilio Castro was 3/4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and one run scored.
• Notes: LHP Justin Jones was added from Potomac, replacing RHP Beltran Perez. Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News says give 1B Josh Whitesell a shot at the majors.

Tonight: Harrisburg opens up their final homestand of the season with LHP Mike O’Connor (3-6, 6.50) taking on Erie RHP Eulogio De La Cruz (4-5, 3.57) at 6:35PM

Potomac battled both the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the elements over the weekend. On Friday, they defeated the Pelicans 5-1 (box/gamer); were rained out on Saturday; and only got half of their doubleheader in on Sunday, taking the first game 4-1 (box) and having game two suspended after an inning with the P-Nats leading 4-0. The game will be completed this evening as part of a doubleheader with the regularly scheduled game (two seven inning games).

• Friday: Marco Estrada held the Pelicans scoreless over six innings allowing only four hits and striking out seven without walking a batter. Estrada is now 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA over four August starts.Jack Spradlin and Clint Everts pitched the final three innings allowing three hits and one unearned run while striking out four. SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with a double, run scored, and two RBI. CF Mike Daniel was 1/3 with a triple, run scored, and two RBI. And LF Chris Marrero was 2/4 with one RBI.
• Sunday: Shairon Martis threw a seven inning complete game allowing only one run on five hits with five strikeouts. Martis moved to 13-8 on the season. CF Justin Maxwell was 1/2 with a solo home run, his tenth in the Carolina League and 24th overall. LF Mike Daniel was 2/2 with a double and two RBI. Daniel is hitting 297/363/463 since his promotion to Potomac.

Today:  The P-Nats resume Sunday’s second game at 5:35PM with LHP Ross Detwiler (1-2, 6.57) taking over for Potomac against Myrtle Beach RHP Jeff Lyman (0-5, 9.39). In the second game, either LHP Cory VanAllen (2-6, 6.14) or RHP Clint Everts (3-10, 5.12) will take the mound for Potomac against Pelicans RHP Ryan Drese (0-1, 3.60)

The Hagerstown Suns played a four-game home & home series with the Lakewood BlueClaws the first two in Lakewood followed by two in Hagerstown). On Friday, the Suns defeated the BlueClaws 7-4 (box); on Saturday, they won again in Lakewood 3-1 (box); but lost the first game of their home series 10-2 (box). The fourth game is scheduled for this evening.

• Friday: 1B Robby Jacobsen was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. Newcomer RF  Robby Tolan was 2/5 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Tolan was signed by the Nationals this year as an undrafted minor league free agent. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/5 with one RBI and one run scored. SS Michael Martinez was 3/5 with a run and a stolen base. Jeff Mandel picked up the win allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings with six strikeouts. Yader Peralta picked up the save with two hitless/scoreless innings striking out four.
• Saturday: Hagerstown used four pitchers to hold the BlueClaws to one run on six hits . Chris Lugo started and went 4 1/3 innings allowing the only run on four hits with three strikeouts. Coby Mavroulis picked up the win with 1 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief and Josh Wilkie got his 10th save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Michael Martinez was 2/4 with one run scored and a stolen base. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 2/4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. DH Marcos Cabral was 1/4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Robby Tolan was 1/3 with a walk.
• Sunday: The Suns return home was error-filled as Hagerstown made four errors leading to five unearned runs. Zach Baldwin took the loss allowing eight runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings. Marcos Cabral was 2/3 with one RBI. Robby Tolan was 2/4 with a run scored and his a hit in all three of his games for Hagerstown.

Tonight: LHP Yunior Novoa (5-11, 4.44) takes on Lakewood RHP Darren Byrd (8-10, 4.15) at 7:05PM

Vermont got one strong starting pitching performance, one average one, and one clunker as the Lake Monsters beat Staten Island 10-0 on Friday (box/gamer); lost two to Brooklyn 14-3 on Saturday (box/gamer) and 8-2 on Sunday (box/gamer).

• Friday: Jordan Zimmermann pitched six shutout innings allowing only four hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter. Randy Matias picked up the save with three innings of three-hit relief, striking out five. DH Boomer Whiting was 2/4 with two RBI, two runs and one stolen base. 2B Stephen King was 2/4 with a double, run scored and two RBI … King has got at least one hit in all six of his games in Vermont. 1B Bill Rhinehart was 2/4 with a two-run home run. 3B Anthony Benner was 3/4 with one RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.
• Saturday: Glenn Gibson was blasted for seven runs on five hits and two walks in only 1 1/3 innings of work. RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with a solo home run, his first in Vermont. DH Stephen Englund was 1/2 with a double, two walks and one run scored. 1B Jean Alvarez was 2/4 with two RBI and actually finished the game on the mound with one inning allowing no runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.
• Sunday: Adrian Alaniz allowed three runs on four hits over five innings of work, striking out six. Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a double, walk, and one run. Anthony Benner was 1/3 with one RBI.
• Notes: LHPs Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary have both joined the Lake Monsters and were seen in uniform in the dugout for yesterday’s game … OF Mark Gildea was activated from the DL, while OF Garrett Bass was placed on the DL … 2B Stephen King & 1B Bill Rhinehart are nursing sore hamstrings

Tonight: RHP Colton Willems (3-1, 2.03) wraps up the three-game series with Brooklyn and RHP Dillon Gee (2-1, 2.58) at 7:05PM

The GCL Nationals game on Friday was postponed by rain. On Saturday, they dropped a 9-6 12-inning decision to the GCL Mets (box). And were not scheduled to play on Sunday. Patrick Arnold started on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over three innings with five strikeouts. Bradley Clark made his second appearance,a llowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. 1B Zach Booker was 2/5 with a double and two RBI. 2B Angel de Castro was 2/5 with a double. SS Frank Cruz was 0/5 but stole two bases. LF/3B Clint Pridmore was 1/4 with two RBI and one stolen base.

Today: The GCL Nationals wrap up their season with a 10:00AM game against the GCL Marlins

The DSL Nationals2 wrapped up their season dropping a 4-3 game to the DSL Padres (box). Joel Campana-Ventura started, striking out three over two scoreless innings. The DSL Nats2 managed only two hits, a single by Felix Fermin Jr and a double by Jose Altuve.

DH Tony Blanco was placed on the DL. IF Dan Dement was activated from the inactive list.

Minor League News & Notes: The Washington Times profiles RHP Adrian Alaniz … (Please note, I will be out of town so the Across the Affiliates will not be updated over the weekend. Look for updates and catch up on Monday morning).

Jason Bergmann’s latest rehab start was his best as yet. Bergmann pitched seven shutout innings allowing only six hits while striking out nine as Columbus blanked Louisville 6-0 (box). Jon Albaladejo and Dan Foli pitched the final two innings allowing only two hits and striking out four. 2B Bernie Castro was 0/2 with a pair of walks, two runs scored and four stolen bases (30 on the season). RF Abraham Nunez was 1/3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored. 1B Larry Broadway was 1/4 with a triple and two RBI.

Tonight: RHP Collin Balester (2-2, 4.54) takes the mound in Louisville against Bats RHP Richie Gardner (4-4, 4.97) at 7:05PM

Harrisburg opened their series in Altoona with a 2-1 loss (box/gamer). Beltran Perez took the loss allowing only two runs on eight hits over six innings of work, striking out two. Brett Campbell finished off the game with two shutout innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts. LF Dee Brown (2/3) accounted for the Senators only run with a seventh inning solo home run. CF Roger Bernadina was 1/4 with his 37th stolen base of the season.

Tonight: RHP Jim Magrane (5-8, 3.97) versus Altoona RHP Yoslan Herrera (6-7, 4.32) at 7:05PM

Potomac did not play on Thursday.

Tonight: Potomac opens their final homestand of the season as RHP Marco Estrada (3-3, 5.83) takes on Myrtle Beach RHP Jairo Cuevas (6-11, 3.53) at 7:35PM

Hagerstown managed to salvage one game in Delmarva, winning 8-6 on Thursday evening (box). SS Michael Martinez  was 3/5 with three runs scored. DH Francisco Guzman was 2/5 with one run and one RBI. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 3/5 with a three-run home run. 1B John Poppert was 2/4 with a pair of doubles. Erik Arnesen started, going four innings allowing six runs on eight hits. Coby Mavroulis picked up the victory with 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief striking out three and Josh Wilkie got his ninth save of the season pitching the final 1 2/3 innings.

Tonight: Hagerstown opens a series in Lakewood with RHP Jeff Mandel (3-6, 6.29) taking on Blue Claws RHP Carlos Monasterios (10-10, 4.62) at 7:05PM

Vermont once again allowed nine runs in an inning and thirteen overall runs to Staten Island as the Yankees dumped the Monsters 13-9 (box). Cole Kimball and Edulin Abreu were torched for nine runs (six earned) on seven hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings. Monsters pitching combined to walk twelve Yankees hitters. LF Boomer Whiting  was 3/4 with a double, RBI, and run scored. SS Dan Lyons was 2/4 with one RBI and one run scored. 1B Bill Rhinehart had a solo home run. DH Aaron Seuss was 2/4 with a home run and three RBI. Of the three new guys, RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with a run scored; 2B Stephen King was 1/5 getting a hit in his sixth straight game; and, CF Stephen Englund was 1/5 with a double and two runs scored.

Tonight: Vermont looks to salvage one game from Staten Island as RHP Jordan Zimmermann (3-1, 2.09) takes on RHP Zachary McAllister (3-3, 3.05) at 7:05PM

The GCL Nationals were doubled up by the GCL Dodgers, losing 10-5 on Thursday afternoon (box). Wuillys Bravo allowed five runs on eight hits in his four innings of work. Justin Phillabaum struck out five hitters over two innings of one-hit shutout relief. 3B Steven Souza was 2/4 with a double, run scored and RBI. CA Derek Norris was 1/4 with a solo home run.

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

It appears that the game between the DSL Nationals1 and Nationals2 was postponed by rain (no box score or confirmation as of 7:30AM).

The DSL Nationals1 season is over. The DSL Nationals2 visit the DSL Padres at 11:00AM