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.
A DC Wonk | 28-Aug-07 at 8:32 am | Permalink
Wow . . . Carrasco’s career fell pretty darn fast after he left the Nats. He was arguably the best set up man in baseball in 2005. Perhaps age caught up with him (he’ll be 38 in two months)? . . . .
bdrube | 28-Aug-07 at 9:41 am | Permalink
I was at the Mighty Pfitz for Detwiler’s performance last night (very few other people were, probably due to the horrible traffic and the 5:30 start).
Man, did he look great. The Myrtle Beach lineup isn’t exactly the ‘75 Reds, but they couldn’t touch him. In the nearly empty stadium, the catcher’s mitt was REALLY popping on his fastball.
Also, Ian Desmond made two major-league quality plays at SS. I hope he is about to turn it up and make his rise to the bigs. The Nats sure do need middle infielders.
Mick | 28-Aug-07 at 10:35 am | Permalink
Off topic, but has Marrero ever played first? Not that the future of the Nats outfield is anything close to settled, but it seemes like with the uncertainty of Johnson coming back and Young in his mid-30s and Broadway seemingly left fro dead, could Chris fill in the vacuum?
Eric | 28-Aug-07 at 10:44 am | Permalink
“The GCL Nationals wrapped up their season with a 2-2 tie with the GCL Marlins”
There are no ties in baseball! Was Bud Selig in charge of this game?!
Brian Oliver | 28-Aug-07 at 10:45 am | Permalink
He has not played first this season. Could he play 1B? Sure. But it appears the Nationals want him to play in LF.
Hartmanbirge | 28-Aug-07 at 11:39 am | Permalink
I recall that they worked Marrero out at 1B as an experiment and that it didn’t go very well. But it’s early in his career and I’d be surprised if they’ve completely abandoned all thought of it. Other than the pitching staff which is the 10,000 pound Elephant in the room the story going into next season is going to be the outfield. The story on Maxwell was pretty impressive - he seems to have the whole package (does anyone know what the arm is like? My first guess is not very strong). I think Pena has probably impressed enough to warrant serious consideration as a starter. Logan can chase down a gazelle and is hitting. Kearns is a defensive whiz and should hit a lot better in the new park. If I had to guess I’d say Church is gone. All three of the above are young. But if I had to guess, I’d say that Maxwell will soon be pushing for a job in DC… perhaps as soon as this time next year. He’s a college kid and more mature… he’s got the tools… I can see Maxwell in Left, Kearns in Center, Pena in right… if they sign a FA I’ll be mildly shocked.
Brian Oliver | 28-Aug-07 at 11:48 am | Permalink
I’ve seen Maxwell in CF a few times in Woodbridge and his arm is average.
Eric | 28-Aug-07 at 11:56 am | Permalink
I’m very curious to see where Marrero, Maxwell and Daniels are headed for next seaon. I even heard a rumor that Marrero will be invited to spring training next year, not to win a spot, but so they can get a better “look” at him.
I think Detwiler, Jones and Meyers will be at AA next year; J. Zimmerman, Alandiz & Pena will be at Potomac and Wilems and Gibson will start in Hagerstown. Smoker and McGeary will to GCL to VT next season.
I’m betting that half the pitching staff at Columbus will get the call-up in September, including Balester, Munoz, Chico, Booker, Abreau & Perez (more?).
VladiHondo | 28-Aug-07 at 1:01 pm | Permalink
Nats have 39 on the 40 man, with 3 of those on the 60 day DL (those don’t count), so I’m not sure they’ll go much beyond who’s already on the 40 man roster: Casto, Watson, Booker, Bowie, Chico, Lannan, Traber.
O’Connor, Patterson, Simontacchi, Guzman are also on the 40 man, the latter 3 on 15 day DL, injured and probably won’t appear. O’Connor, unfortunately, is having trouble in AA.
60 day DLers are Nick, Ryan Wagner, Alex Escobar
They definitely need catching help, look for Brandon Harper to be called up. Don’t think Balester has been dominating enough to be called up, but may be just to get a feel for the Majors.
D-Jay Nats | 28-Aug-07 at 2:27 pm | Permalink
I’m willing to bet that Maxwell will get a call up in September. Any takers?
dd | 28-Aug-07 at 3:15 pm | Permalink
Hey Hartmanbridge,
Never quite heard it as you penned two thirds of the Nats outfield. Logan a gazelle? Kearns a defensive whiz?
But yes, the outfield prospects will be pushing the majors in two to three years (if not sooner).
It seems the most athletic are Maxwell and Daniel? Am I wrong? Marrero and Burgess may be corner types. Anyone know which prospect has the best outfield arm?
Brian Oliver | 28-Aug-07 at 3:19 pm | Permalink
I have not seen Burgess play the OF but I’d classify Marrero’s arm as a notch below average.
dd | 28-Aug-07 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
Thanks Brian!
Guess there are no cannon arms in the Nationals (farm) OF arsenal!?!
Nate | 28-Aug-07 at 3:48 pm | Permalink
Of the young outfielders I’d venture to guess that Burgess has the best arm. I haven’t seen him but I have seen Marrero, Maxwell and Daniel, and I wouldn’t call any of them above average.
D-Jay, I’ll take that bet. Especially with the team sending him to Arizona for the fall I imagine they’ll let Maxwell rest up once the P-Nats wrap up.
Scott | 28-Aug-07 at 4:07 pm | Permalink
I saw Detwiler last night. His breaking ball was hanging. The two hits were both off such a pitch. JUGS had his fastball at 93 mph. His sweetest pitches were fastballs to lefthanders that painted the outside corner at the knees. The mighty Pelicans were hitting him deep into the outfield. He was not dominating.
He was placing his fastball but he did not have control of his offspeed stuff. His release point on his breaking pitch was higher than his fastball. However, one pitch in the third was beautiful. He finished off a lefthander with a breaking ball on the outside corner. You could hear the sizzle as it spun in.
He showed his fielding athleticism. He gloved a rocket back to the mound - mostly to protect himself from getting hit in the head. He also hustled to first to cover on grounders to the right side.
Overall, he did not look comfortable. I think he is still adjusting to all the hoopla and just needs some time to do his thing and get adjusted. His delivery from the stretch is improving - quicker and smoother. Hopefully, they will not be able to run on him in the future.
He definitely is not ready for the show. In fact, I hope they start him at Potomac next year for a half dozen starts or until he dominates. We will see how anxious management is to get him to the majors. Hopefully, they will be patient, which would pay off big time in the future. He has things to work on.
Scott | 28-Aug-07 at 4:19 pm | Permalink
Brian - thanks for all the effort and a great website.
Hartmanbirge | 29-Aug-07 at 12:03 am | Permalink
Burgess purportedly can throw 95 mph so I have to think he has the best outfield arm in the system…. Ref Logan - I think we could do a lot worse than having that guy roam CF. The pitching staff must love him. Kearns has a good arm, gets great jumps, and takes good angles. Acta raves about his defense. In my mind the problem is Church. No way you can carry an average defender who has no power at a corner outfield spot - no way. I think Pena is going to be given every opportunity to start next year. Then the focus goes to Kearns. What if he hits next year as he has this? That’s going to be unacceptable for a corner OF - good defender or not. I don’t see Maxwell getting a call up this year - still too early. But next spring and summer I think if he stays healthy he’ll start pushing the brass to make decisions. You could shift Kearns to CF and do OK and as a CF I like his bat a lot better than a RF… Pena has a good arm…. Maxwell’s arm you can hide in LF.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 29-Aug-07 at 11:15 am | Permalink
Anyone else notice the shitty job the reporter did in explaining why someone would turn down Harvard over Maryland? At the very least, I would have like to have been told whether or not a scholarship was involved.