Nationals Farm Authority

The Clippers were hurt by the longball in a 5-4 loss at home to Durham (box/gamer). Starting LHP Mike O’Connor allowed one home run in his five innings of work while LHP Mike Bacsik took the loss surrendering a pair of solo home runs in his three innings of work. O’Connor’s final line was five innings pitched, three runs, four hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Bacsik, three innings, two runs, two hits, no walks and four strikeouts. RHP Brian Sanches struck out the side his one inning of work. The Columbus offense was spread around with RF/1B Kory Casto, 3B Pete Orr, SS Rey Olmedo, and CA Wil Nieves each chipping in with one RBI.

Tonight: The series with Durham continues as RHP Garrett Mock (0-0, 6.23) takes on Bulls RHP Mitch Talbot (0-1, 4.50) at 7:05PM

Harrisburg dropped a 3-2 decision to Erie on Tuesday evening managing only four hits in the loss (box/gamer). DH Luis Jimenez was responsible for all of the offense with two solo home runs. RHP Ismael Ramirez took the loss allowing a three-run home run among his four hits in four innings of work. RHPs Beltran Perez & Josh Perrault and LHP Arnie Munoz were solid in five shutout innings of relief allowing only two hits and striking out six.

Today: The Senators wrap up their homestand with a 12:05PM game against Erie. RHP Bobby Brownlie (0-0, 7.20) versus LHP Jon Connolly (0-0, 4.50)

The Potomac Nationals blanked the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2-0 behind the strong pitching of RHPs Shawn Hill and Jordan Zimmermann (box/gamer). Hill, rehabbing from a right forearm injury, threw five innings allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four. Manny Acta described it perfectly, “The first three innings he was really good, but he wasn’t as good those last two innings.” The first time through the lineup, Hill didn’t waste any time (or pitches) getting seven groundballs and breaking several bats. He did most the damage with his fastball with a few curveballs (he didn’t throw any changes). In the fourth inning, he ran into trouble, loading the bases before getting out of further trouble with a strikeout. Hill commented that his legs tightened up some in fourth and fifth inning as he worked deep into his first real game experience since being placed on the disabled list. He was probably hit the hardest in his final inning, the fifth, but thanks to a double play and a perfectly positioned second baseman he left with the shutout intact. Summing up his outing, Hill said “towards the end my mechanics got away from me a little bit but overall pretty good.” Hill finished his evening in the bullpen, reaching his pitch count of approximately 80 pitches. He focused on staying back and getting through the ball. When asked about the pain he has experienced in the past, Hill was quick to comment “as long as it’s not the excruciating, stabbing pain that I almost feel I can’t bend my arm, I have no problem throwing.” My quick unofficial position is that Hill will need one more rehab start before getting brought back up to Washington, he needs to show himself (as much as the organization) that he can be consistent through a minimum of five, if not six innings.

As I mentioned briefly at the end of the previous posting, almost lost in the evening was the performance of Jordan Zimmermann (Potomac News profile). Coming on in relief for the P-Nats, Zimmermann was impressive in his first three innings before working his way out of trouble in the ninth. He struck out six Pelicans while allowing only two hits and three walks. Both hits and one of those walks were in the ninth inning where he got himself out of trouble, earning a save with a 4-6-3 double play. From my perspective, Zimmermann was impressive around the plate with pop in his fastball and a really good curveball. For a first start in the Carolina League, it’s something to be really excited about.

The lone offensive highlights were a two-run home run by SS Seth Bynum (1/3) and 2/4 nights from CF Frank Diaz and DH Marvin Lowrance.

Notes: Some other perspectives on Hill’s outing: the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star; Nats320; We’ve Got Heart; Bottomfeeder Baseball

Tonight: RHP Chad Cordero (NR) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance. He’ll likely start the game and throw one inning before turning the ball over to regularly scheduled starter RHP Adrian Alaniz (NR) who faces off with Myrtle Beach RHP Tommy Hanson at 7:05PM in Woodbridge

The Suns jumped out to a 5-0 lead, hanging on for a 5-2 in Lakewood this evening (box/gamer). RF Michael Burgess hit his second home run of the season as part of a 1/3 evening with two runs scored. SS Dan Lyons was 2/5 with a run and two stolen bases and 1B Bill Rhinehart was 2/4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored and one RBI. RHP Hassan Pena made his Sally League debut throwing five shutout innings allowing only four hits and one walk with one strikeout. RHP Erik Arnesen looked good in relief, striking out four BlueClaws in two innings of two-hit one-walk relief.

Tonight: RHP Brad Peacock (NR) takes the mound in game two in Lakewood at 6:35PM