Nationals Farm Authority

Note 1: I’m headed off on vacation starting early tomorrow morning so NFA will be quiet from May 8 through May 13. I may have a posting or two today but the Across the Affiliates and the regular posting schedule will resume on May 14 as we close in on the MLB draft on 6/5.

Note 2: I woke up this morning to see this posting from Capitol Punishment. Needless to say I was surprised. But moreso I’m sad to see Chris go. This stuff can certainly be a grind as I can personally attest. Whether or not you liked Chris’ style/opinion/snark, he provided a well-informed point of view from a hardcore fan and more importantly, he can write (circles around me). But the reason I wanted to highlight this is because NFA would never had existed without his encouragement (as well as that of my host here, Yuda). I wish Chris nothing but the best in his “retirement” and hope to see him commenting around the Natosphere for a long time.

RHP Garrett Mock has apparently turned the corner for the Clippers, checking in with another solid start in a 3-1 victory over Rochester (box/gamer). Mock allowed only one run on six hits over six innings of work. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. RHP Bobby Brownlie made his Columbus debut in relief, allowing two hits and one walk over 1 2/3 shutout innings and RHP Chris Schroder picked up his third save with 1 1/3 innings of two hit and one walk relief, striking out two. DH Alex Escobar was 2/4 with a double and a fifth inning RBI. SS Rey Olmedo was 1/2 with a solo home run. CA Javi Herrera was 2/3 with a fourth inning RBI. RF Elijah Dukes was 0/3 with a strikeout in another rehab start.

Record: Columbus 18-15, tied for 2nd in IL West (3.5GB)

Tonight: RHP Collin Balester (2-2, 4.13) takes on LHP Glen Perkins (2-1, 2.97) at 7:05PM

The Harrisburg defense was shaky in RHP Jordan Zimmermann’s Double-A debut as the Senators fell 5-2 to Connecticut (box/gamer). Zimmermann struck out four and was charged with three runs on four hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings though only one of those runs was earned as errors by 1B Andrew Lefave and SS Ian Desmond led to two unearned runs. RF Mike Daniel was 2/4 with a run scored, 2B William Bergolla was 2/4 with a double and run scored, and CF Roger Bernadina was 1/3 with a double and RBI.

Record: Harrisburg 20-11, 1st place in EL Southern

Tonight: RHP Tristan Crawford (1-0, 6.43) takes on Connecticut RHP Garrett Broshuis (2-3, 4.55) at 6:05PM

LF Marvin Lowrance’s three-run home run in the first inning got the ball rolling for the P-Nats as they bounced back from a loss on Monday, defeating the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4-3 (box/gamer). Jemel Spearman played 1B on Tuesday and provided a spark from the leadoff position going 2/’4 with two runs scored. 3B Leonard Davis  was 1/4 with one RBI. This was enough offense for Potomac who saw RHP Adrian Alaniz move to 3-0 allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven. After a couple of hiccups early, Alaniz has settled down, allowing only three earned runs over his last four starts (23IP) with 24 strikeouts. LHP Yunior Novoa and RHP Carlos Martinez finished it off with four combined no-hit innings of shutout relief, allowing only one baserunner with seven strikeouts.

Record: Potomac 20-10, 1st place in Carolina League

Today: RHP Jhonny Nuñez (0-3, 5.40) faces off with Myrtle Beach RHP Kyle Cofield (1-4, 4.34) at 10:35AM

RHP Luis Atilano made a strong spot start for the Suns on Tuesday morning but the Hagerstown pen faltered allowing seven runs over 3 2/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to Greensboro (box). Atilano allowed only one unearned run on five hits and one walk over four innings with three strikeouts. LHP Atahaulpa Severino and RHP Martin Beno surrendered seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks. 2B Jake Smolinski, 1B Bill Rhinehart, and 3B Tim Pahuta were each 2/4 with a double.

Record: Hagerstown 15-17, 5th place in Sally Northern (4.5GB)

Hagerstown is off today