Nationals Farm Authority

RHP Shawn Hill’s second rehab start was not what the Nationals were hoping as Hill surrendered six runs (five earned) on nine hits over six innings of work as the Clippers dropped a 6-5 decision to the Charlotte Knights (box/gamer). Hill’s outing started out positively with three perfect innings. The fourth inning was his undoing as he surrendered five of his runs on six hits in his second time around the Knights lineup. He gave up another run on a single and double in his final inning of work. 3B Pete Orr provided the big blow with an eighth inning grand slam. DH Bret Boone was 2/4 with a double and one RBI. Notes: With the additions of RHP Jason Bergmann and CA Jesus Flores, the Clippers will need to make two roster moves to get their roster down to 24.

Tonight: Clippers LHP Mike O’Connor (0-0, 2.70) vs. Charlotte RHP Tomo Ohka (0-1, 12.27) at 7:15PM

RHP Ismael Ramirez had his second straight tough outing, this time getting touched up for seven runs on nine hits and five walks over only five innings of work in a Senators 8-4 loss to Trenton on Sunday afternoon (box/gamer). DH Jorge Padilla was 3/5 with a double, RBI and run scored; CF Rog Bernadina was 1/4 with a run scored and pair of stolen bases; RF Justin Maxwell was 1/3 with an RBI triple; and CA Luke Montz was 1/4 with two RBI.

Tonight: RHP Bobby Brownlie (0-0, 3.75) opens a series in Reading and RHP Andrew Carpenter (1-1, 6.52) at 6:35PM

RHP Jordan Zimmermann had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 before Kinston’s John Drennen broke up the no-hitter and shutout with a double to the gap in Potomac’s 9-4 victory over the Indians on Sunday afternoon (box/gamer). The win completed a Potomac six-game home sweep and extended their winning streak to 14 games dating back to 2007. Zimmermann was outright dominating on Sunday allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks, with six strikeouts. Zimmermann mixed in fastballs, curves, sliders and change-ups keeping Kinston off-balance all afternoon. It was not until the fifth inning that the Indians got a ball out of the infield. It looked like Zimmermann was working on pitches, in essence, trying things out during the game only to bear down, throwing fastballs past the lefty-dominated Kinston lineup. Zimmermann has been impressive in the two outings I’ve seen, allowing only one earned run over 9 2/3 innings with twelve strikeouts and only three hits and five walks. RHP Craig Stammen came in and tallied the save with 3 1/3 innings of relief, only struggling in the ninth where he surrendered two runs before bearing down for a game-ending strikeout. The highlight on offense was CA Brian Peacock who made the most of his one hit, a booming grand slam to deep left center field in Potomac’s six run fourth inning. CF Frank Diaz was 3/4 with a double, home run and two RBI. 3B Ofilio Castro was 1/4 with a pair of RBI. 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 with two runs scored. Unlike the last time I saw him. he looked awkward at 1B this afternoon, making one error (a missed catch) and a couple of other uncomfortable looking plays.

Tonight: RHP Adrian Alaniz (0-0, 6.75) takes the mound in Lynchburg on Monday evening at 6:05PM

After sweeping a doubleheader with two shutouts on Saturday, the Hagerstown Suns dropped a 9-7 slugfest to Lake County on Sunday afternoon (box/gamer). RHP Hassan Pena gave up three runs on six hits and a walk over four innings, though he did strike out eight. Relievers Atahaulpa Severino and Erik Arnesen could not stop the Captains, surrendering six runs on eight hits and two walks over their own four combined innings with six strikeouts. 3B Steve Souza was the highlight on offense, going 2/4 with his first Sally League home run. CA Jhonathan Solano was also 2/4, scoring once. RF Michael Burgess, CF Stephen Englund, and DH Trevor Lawhorn each contributed one RBI.

Tonight: Hagerstown RHP Brad Peacock (0-0, 1.80) takes the mound as Hagerstown opens a road series in Delmarva and LHP Cole McCurry (0-0, 1.50) at 7:05PM