Emiliano Fruto and the Clippers dropped a 4-3 decision to Durham (box). Fruto gave up four runs on seven hits over five innings, dropping to 3-9 on the season. Over his last 10 games, Fruto is 0-7 with a 7.04ERA allowing 32 earned runs on 52 hits over 46IP with 35K and 32BB. CF Brandon Watson was 2/4 with a double and a run scored. Watson now has a nine-game hitting streak, batting 0.378 with fourteen hits. RF Abraham Nunez was 1/3 with a two-run double; and DH George Lombard was 2/3.
Tonight: The Clippers open a two-game series against the Tides as Columbus RHP Shawn Hill (NR) makes his rehab start taking on Norfolk LHP Craig Anderson (10-3, 4.30) at 7:05PM
Mike Hinckley allowed six an early runs, but Harrisburg rallied back scoring sixteen runs, blasting New Hampshire 16-9 (box/gamer). Hinckley was charged with six runs on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings, he allowed a walk, hit a batter, balked and threw a wild pitch. Brett Campbell picked up the win giving up two hits in 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief striking out two. Adam Carr made his Double-A debut with a scoreless ninth. Every Harrisburg starter reached base and scored at least one run. SS Marcos Yepez was 3/5 with a pair of doubles, runs scored and RBI. RF Dan Dement was 3/6 with two doubles and two RBI. DH Tony Blanco was 3/5 with two runs and two RBI. LF Dee Brown was 3/6 with a double and two RBI. 3B Brandon Powell was 2/4 with a pair of doubles and RBI. And CA Javi Herrera had three RBI.
Tonight: Harrisburg looks for the three-game sweep in New Hampshire with Senators RHP Garrett Mock (0-3, 7.43) taking on Fisher Cats RHP Yusaku Iriki (1-3, 4.91) at 7:05PM
Mike Daniel hit a grand slam as Potomac beat Frederick 8-3 salvaging the third game of a four-game series (box). Daniel is now hitting 297/359/470 with 3 home runs, 28RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 48 games with Potomac. DH Marvin Lowrance (2/4 2R), LF Chris Marrero (2/5 2B 2R), and SS Matt Rogelstad (2/4 2B 3SB) each had two hits for the P-Nats. Shairon Martis won his 11th game of the season allowing three runs on five hits over five innings of work. Over his last ten starts, Martis is 7-2 with a 4.02ERA with 43K and 22B in 54IP. Clint Everts and Josh Perrault provided four shutout innings of relief allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out four.
Tonight: Potomac look to split the four-game series in Frederick at 7:00PM tonight. Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (NR) makes his P-Nats debut against Keys RHP Bradley Bergesen (1-4, 7.66)
The Suns were blanked 6-0 in Asheville on Wednesday night (box). Erik Arnesen dropped to 5-6 allowing six runs (only three earned) on six hits with four strikeouts. SS Michael Martinez’ 28th error of the season in the fifth led to three unearned Tourist runs. Yunior Novoa made his first appearance since his return from DL pitching two perfect innings striking out four. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/4, LF Francisco Guzman was 1/3 with a double, and CA Jhonathan Solano was 1/1 with three walks … all of Hagerstown offense.
Tonight: Hagerstown RHP Jeff Mandel (2-4, 5.56) versus Asheville RHP Esmil Rogers (5-2, 3.63) at 7:05PM
Vermont blew an early 3-0 lead but rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth edging Aberdeen 5-4 (box/gamer). RF Aaron Seuss (1/4) drove in the game-winning run on a bases loaded single. Seuss is now batting 349/387/474 in 42 games with the Lake Monsters. LF Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a run and three stolen bases, he now has 20 on the season. DH Garrett Bass was 2/4 with a two-run home run and now has 31RBI on the season. Martin Beno picked up the win in relief with a perfect ninth, striking out two. Hassan Pena started the game but was forced out of the game after manager Darnell Coles visited the mound for a second time in the second inning. Pena pitched 1 2/3 innings only walking one batter. Edulin Abreu took over and pitched the next five innings allowing three runs on four hits. Notes: CF Mark Gildea left the game in the bottom of the ninth with an apparent hand injury.
Tonight: Vermont LHP Glenn Gibson (4-0, 0.62) versus Aberdeen LHP Zachary Britton (3-3, 4.10) at 7:05PM
Pitching was the key as the GCL Nationals blanked the GCL Dodgers 1-0 (box). Nationals RHP Jason Bergmann made an injury rehab start allowing two hits, two walks and four strikeouts over three innings. Brad Peacock picked up the win with three innings of one-hit relief, walking two and striking out three. And Atahaulpa Severino and Kyle Gunderson threw the final three innings allowing one hit, one walk and striking out two. SS Smiley Gonzalez was 1/4. CF Stephen Englund was 1/3 with a walk and his tenth stolen base. RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with one RBI, his 26th of the season. 3B Steve Souza was 1/3.
Today: The GCL Nationals visit the GCL Cardinals at 12:00PM. RHP PJ Dean (3-1, 3.21) is likely to pitch for the GCL Nats.
18-year old LHP Randy Almonte and the DSL Nationals2 shutout their DSL Nationals1 counterparts 6-0 (box). Almonte allowed only two hits and three walks over five innings with three strikeouts. 17-year old RHP Ironel Paez and 20-year old RHP Ruben de las Rosa pitched the final four hitless innings, walking four and striking out five. 20-year old LHP Miguel Aracena started for the DSL Nats1 surrendering eight hits and three runs over only 3 2/3 innings of work. On offense, 21-year old DH Daniel Vinicio was 3/4 with a pair of doubles; 20-year old LF Samuel Gomez was 2/2 with a triple and two runs scored; 21-year old 3B Miguel Vargas was 2/2 with one RBI and a run scored; and, 17-year old CF Alejandro Hodge was 2/3 with a triple and one RBI. The DSL Nationals1 could only muster a pair of hits, a single by 17-year old CF Jesus Morales and a double by 20-year old catcher Yan Carlos Hiciano.
Today: The DSL National1 host the DSL Mets at 11:00AM. The DSL Nationals2 visi the DSL Tigers at 11:00AM
Kevin (Fairfax) | 09-Aug-07 at 7:57 am | Permalink
Mike Hinckley sure seems to be done. He had that one chance to make the big club in 2005, and never got close to a taste of it after that.
Is it starting to become clear who will get call-ups in early September? That should be a lot more fun this year, since we have Manny Acta. Frank Robinson had no interest whatsoever in playing September call-ups. He didn’t even play Zimmerman much in 2005.
Kirkie | 09-Aug-07 at 8:19 am | Permalink
Sounds like a brain cramp by Coles forced them to take Pena out of the game at vermont - am I reading that correctly?
For call-ups from the minors; I’d go for:
- Watson
- Abreu
- Whitesell (is he on the 40-man?)
- MAYBE Ballester
- NOT Detweiler
- Maybe Fruto (despite the fact that he’s sucked; get him around Randy StC.)
Brian Oliver | 09-Aug-07 at 8:46 am | Permalink
Kirkie - Yeah. That was my read on Coles as well. The only thing I can figure is he either forgot or thought that one of visits was an injury one.
The Nationals have five players on the 40-man but not in the majors are: Kory Casto, Brandon Watson, Emilano Fruto, Chris Booker and Mike O’Connor. Additionally the Nationals have six players on the 15-day DL: Jason Bergmann, Micah Bowie, Jesus Colome, Shawn Hill, John Patterson, and Jason Simontacchi (I am not counting Cristian Guzman who is on the 15-day but out for the season). Add to that the three open 40-man spots they have (four if they move Guzman to the 60-day). I think all of the Columbus guys will get recalled once their season ends (September 3). I’m not sure if O’Connor will, I imagine the Nationals will set him up for work in the fall instructional league. Bergmann, Hill, Bowie and maybe Patterson will come off of the DL (unsure whether Colome will be ready or whether they’ll bring back Simontacchi).
I’m still thinking about who could be the three new guys (or more depending upon how the Nationals use their 40-man). Whitesell is an option as are Mike Restovich and Abraham Nunez. I’d agree not to waste an option on Detwiler yet.
Hartmanbirge | 09-Aug-07 at 9:11 am | Permalink
I think O’Connor will go the way of Hinkley…is there any way that he’s going to beat out what we have now or coming up? Don’t think so. Were I the Nats I would not call up Ballister or Detwiler. From what I can tell Ballister is still refining his command and as mentioned why waste the option on Detwiler? Those two also happen to be most likely to be in starting rotation mid-late 2008 or 2009. I think Sept will be used to re-confirm or deny whether or not some of the older-young are in the long-term plans. This would be Hill, Bergmann, Hanrahan, Bascik, and Redding. And Patterson thinks he’s coming back too. Not one of these guys gives me any comfort that he is a long-term solution to our rotation. If a guy can’t stay healthy then how can I pencil him in and trust he’ll be there for a season? Hill fits this category. Bergmann fits it. Patterson fits it. I’d like to see Bergmann and Hill go out there every fifth day and go 6-7 innings… I’d like to see Hanrahan be left alone and do the same. Same deal with Redding. We have got to figure out whether these guys can hang or whether they’re going to constantly break down. My guess is that Lannan and Ballister just may be shut down due to innings pitched. I think it safe to conclude that Lannan is a lock for the “Plan.”
A DC Wonk | 09-Aug-07 at 9:28 am | Permalink
… and when they do get called up, I hope Watson gets a serious shot. He’s certainly proved himself in AAA. As for the rap that he’s just a singles hitter . . . when your team is 25th in the majors for batting average, can we afford to be so picky? Singles are better than outs.
Freda | 09-Aug-07 at 9:36 am | Permalink
On manager Coles - It really was one visit to the mound. He went out to talk to Pena after a balk was called. He left the dirt of the mound (by a few steps) and was still in the infield. He turned and went back to tell him one more thing, then left the field. When play was about to resume, the Ironbirds manager went to the umps and told them that Pena had to be removed from the game since Darnell made two visits. After a long delay in which one ump ran to the visitors clubhouse (where the umps change beyond the left field wall) to retrieve his rule book, we were hit with the techicality. Pena left the game and was replaced by Abreu (on his 23rd birthday) who pitched very well.
On Gildea - the injury is not to the hand. He slid headfirst into second for the steal. The throw from the catcher was high and the second baseman jumped to catch the ball and came down on Gildea’s forearm, leaving several gashes from the cleats. Gildea was taken to the hospital and has a total of 10 stitches in his arm.
Kevin (Fairfax) | 09-Aug-07 at 10:22 am | Permalink
How about bringing up Larry Broadway? He has actually improved from a bad early season, and it would be hard for him to do any worse than Robert Fick.
Eric | 09-Aug-07 at 10:33 am | Permalink
Brian — I thought Atahaulpa Severino was a starter but it looks like the GCL team is using him primarily as a reliever. Will he ever be starting again?
Hartmanbirge | 09-Aug-07 at 10:50 am | Permalink
Ref Watson….. his BA looks good but take a look at his on base percentage. A guy hitting for that average would be murder if he could discipline himself but I just don’t see that in Watson’s numbers. Seems to be a free swinger which I don’t think one wants in their leadoff hitter.
Pilchard | 09-Aug-07 at 11:01 am | Permalink
How much of a prospect is Garrett Bass? I assumed that he would just be a fill-in minor league player as he did not have a notable college career, but he has really produced for Vermont. He is in the top 10 in the NY-Penn league in RBI and steals and is flirting with a .300 average in a league that is not known as a pro-offensive league. Also, the kid has good size (6-2, 225 with 12 SBs… impressive).
What is the report on his defense? I assume it is weak because he does DH some. Regardless, the organization has very few legit position player prospects, and just wondering if Garrett Bass has become one.
Chris | 09-Aug-07 at 11:09 am | Permalink
I saw the lake monsters twice and would but Bass 3rd behind Seuss and Rhinehart. Bass was the DH both games I saw so that obviously hurts his ranking. I think Seuss had a much more compact stroke and was a better athlete (showed a good arm in the OF too). Rhinehart had a really smooth stroke and showed a very mature approach at the plate, and was much better defensively than I thought he would be. That said, Bass’ numbers are unmistakable, and its good to see the Nats finding quality players late in the draft.
A DC Wonk | 09-Aug-07 at 11:31 am | Permalink
Re: Watson and Broadway . . . yes, they may have their deficiencies, but (according to Capitol Punishment) “Ryan Langerhans is about to set the record for lowest batting average by an OFer with as many PAs as he has.”
Watson gets 18 AB for the Nats, while Langerhans can get close to 200. Langerhans has (I believe) two two-hit games all season — which is as many as Watson, even though Watson played in only five games this year.
As for criticism that Watson is a free swinger — Langerhans has struck out an amazing 37% of hit at bats.
Brian Oliver | 09-Aug-07 at 12:00 pm | Permalink
Eric - I would not read too much into the pitching roles in the GCL. The Nationals have nearly 20 pitchers in the GCL that they need to give innings to, and by my conservative estimate 9 of them are starters. They are typically grouping 2-3 guys for each game, giving them a # of pitches or IP max before turning to the next guy. It just so happens that Severino is in a grouping where he comes in second. If he is still relieving once he gets to Vermont, Hagerstown or Potomac, then it’s worth noting.
tom | 09-Aug-07 at 1:05 pm | Permalink
has anybody heard what happened to jake smolinski?
he was doing well for the gcl nats then after the july 26 game hasn’t been heard from since!
dd | 09-Aug-07 at 2:07 pm | Permalink
Can’t understand all the “hoopla” about Fruto. He has a history of erratic pitching since year one in the minors. This year is no exception with his new team. Is his stuff really that good for Nats brass to hold him in high esteem?
Brian Oliver | 09-Aug-07 at 2:41 pm | Permalink
dd - Pretty much yes. He has two above average pitches and another two solid ones. He hasn’t developed as much as the Nationals were expecting but he does have talent.
A DC Wonk | 09-Aug-07 at 4:26 pm | Permalink
FWIW: Fruto pitched very well in AA in ‘05, and pretty well in AAA last year. This year, his walks are killing him . . . 56 BB’s in 82 IP. The good news is that turned 23 just two months ago, so perhaps he can get that straightened out.
Louis J. | 10-Aug-07 at 5:45 pm | Permalink
What a hitting lineup at the PNATS: Lowrance, Maxwell, Daniel, Marrero, Davis and Baez when healthy!! If Desmond, Peacock and McMillan can be more consistent, this group could be a ***hitting machine as they move thru the system!! Also, there collective speed is outstanding.