Nationals Farm Authority

RHP Steve Shell struggled in his first start for the Clippers on Monday night allowing five runs on six hits over five innings of work. Fortunately for Columbus, the Clippers rallied for six runs in the bottom of the eight inning to defeat Rochester 7-6 (box/gamer). LHP Mike Bacsik picked up the victory, giving the Clippers three innings of two-hit, one-run relief, striking out two and walking one. RHP Chris Booker made things interesting in the top of the ninth, walking two batters before LHP Charlie Manning came on to close out the game and earn his third save of the season. The Clippers managed only one run in five innings of work by Red Wings starter Francisco Liriano, an RBI single by 2B Pete Orr (1/3) in the bottom of the first. Once the Clippers got to the Wings pen, the game began to turn. The big blow in the eighth was a three-run home run by 1B Larry Broadway (1/3). CF Ryan Langerhans was 2/3 with a run and RBI and LF Tommy Murphy was 2/3 with a double and two runs scored. A rehabbing Elijah Dukes played RF and went 0/4 with two strikeouts. Notes: RHP Jason Bergmann was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending 5/4 … 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 11 SO … Columbus fans barely got to know Bergmann last season, as he made just five midseason starts for the Clippers while spending most of the season with the Washington Nationals. He made 21 starts for the Nats last year, posting a 4.45 ERA. The right-hander returned to the rotation out of Spring Training, but quickly appeared out of sorts, allowing 12 earned runs in his first two starts, then four runs in a two-inning relief appearance. With nothing working in the Majors, the Nats sent Bergmann down to Columbus, and after a disastrous pair of starts there, he looks to be straightening things out. Bergmann allowed nine runs in eight innings in his first two appearances, but has since worked 14 frames allowing just an unearned run over two starts. Bergmann pitched eight innings and struck out six on Tuesday, then went six scoreless innings with five strikeouts in his second home start Sunday.

Record: Columbus 17-15, tied for 2nd in IL West (4.5 games out)

Tonight: RHP Garrett Mock (1-1, 4.32) takes on Rochester RHP Phillip Humber (1-3, 5.63 ERA) at 7:05PM

LHP Cory VanAllen had a successful Double-A debut for the Senators allowing only one run on four hits and one walk over 5 2/3 innings in a Harrisburg 5-2 win over Connecticut (box/gamer). VanAllen hit two batter, struck out three and even contributed on offense with a triple and run scored. RHPs Beltran Perez & Zech Zinicola finished things off with two shutout innings of relief, holding the Defenders hitless and striking out two. It was Zinicola’s second save in as many appearances. CA Devin Ivany was 1/4 with a two-run home run. 2B William Bergolla and CF Roger Bernadina each had two hits and an RBI in the victory. Notes: Barry Svrluga has a feature on the pitching in the Nationals farm system with a focus on Zimmermann, VanAllen, & Zinicola, among others.

Record: Harrisburg 20-10, 1st place EL South

Tonight: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (NR) makes his EL debut tonight against Connecticut and RHP Adam Cowart (1-1, 2.01) at 6:05PM

RF Edgardo Baez’ RBI single in the top of the ninth tied the Pelicans 2-2 in the top of the ninth but RHP Adam Carr allowed a walkoff home run in the bottom of the tenth in a 3-2 Potomac loss in Myrtle Beach (box/gamer). It ruined a solid 2008 debut as a starter by RHP Craig Stammen who threw five strong shutout innings allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out four. Recently added RHP Joe Norrito allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in his one inning of work. RHP Josh Wilkie provided two one-hit shutout innings allowing the P-Nats to tie the game in the ninth. Carr allowed only the one hit in his 1 1/3 innings but it was the walkoff homer. 3B Leonard Davis was 2/3 with a run scored and stolen base and 1B Chris Marrero was 0/4 with one RBI. Notes:  RHP Jordan Zimmermann was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending 5/4 … 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO … Zimmerman was the highest drafted college pitcher last year to not come from a Division I school. The 6-foot-2 right-hander was taken in the second round following an illustrious career at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Carolina League is a long way from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, but hitters seem equally puzzled by Zimmermann, who was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg Monday morning. In five appearances this season, he has held opponents scoreless in three, including his lone start last week. On Wednesday, Zimmerman pitched seven scoreless innings against Winston-Salem, striking out nine to help the P-Nats secure a narrow, 1-0, win. All three of Zimmerman’s wins this season have come at home, where he’s allowed just one earned run in 21 1/3 innings.

Record: Potomac 19-10, 1st place Carolina League North

Tonight: RHP Adrian Alaniz (2-0, 2.08) looks to get Potomac back on track against Myrtle Beach RHP Deunte Heath (4-0, 1.80) at 7:05PM

Greensboro rode 15 singles, a double, two homers and five walks to a 14-7 drubbing of Hagerstown on Monday evening (box/gamer). RHP Brad Peacock continued to struggle allowing six runs on six hits and four walks over just 3 2/3 innings of work. RHP Ryan Harrison allowed an alarmiong eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks in only 1 2/3 innings of work. A highlight on the mound was RHP Kyle Gunderson who went 2 2/3 shutout innings allowing only three hits and a walk. LF Boomer Whiting made his Hagerstown debut, scoring three times from the leadoff spot. Whiting was 3/5 with a double and two RBI. 2B Jake Smolinski was 2/4 with a double and a run scored and 1B Bill Rhinehart was 1/4 with a double and two RBI.  Notes: RHP Ryan Harrison was added to the Suns roster bringing them to a full 25-man roster … 1B Bill Rhinehart was named the South Atlantic League Hitter of the Week for the weeke ending 5/4 … .474 (9-19), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 3 BB, 1 SO, 0 SB, .895 SLG … Drafted in the 11th round out of the University of Arizona last June, Rhinehart is enjoying a fantastic debut so far in full-season ball. The first baseman has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, collecting multiple hits in seven of them. Rhinehart slugged .400 in each of his four seasons at Arizona, so the recent resurgence of power in his game comes as no surprise. A week’s worth of home games may have helped Rhinehart claim this honor as the 23-year-old has been fantastic at Municipal Stadium all season, hitting .405. Rhinehart has been one of the best in the Minor with runners on base as he’s now 16-for-29 (.552) with ducks on the pond.

Record: Hagerstown 15-16, tied for 4th in South Atlantic North (3GB)

Today: RHP Luis Atilano looks for the split with Greensboro and RHP Cristhian Martinez (2-1, 3.86) at 10:35AM