Nationals Farm Authority

I’m back …

The Clippers rode a five-run first inning while RHP Collin Balester scattered ten hits over six innings of work in a 7-5 Columbus victory over Rochester (box). CF Ryan Langerhans and CA Javi Herrera each had a hit and two RBI in the five run first. RF Tommy Murphy, 2B Pete Orr, and 1B Larry Broadway each had a pair of hits for the Clippers. Balester moved to 4-2 on the season allowing four runs on ten hits and no walks while striking out four. Though he gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, LHP Charlie Manning picked up his fifth save, striking out three in his one inning of work. Notes: While I was gone, the Clippers made the following transactions:

• OF Elijah Dukes activated from rehab assignment
• CA Jesus Flores promoted to Washington (CAs Paul Lo Duca & Johnny Estrada to DL)
• CA David Wallace was acquired from the Indians organization
• RHP Chris Schroder promoted to Washington
• LHP Mike O’Connor sent down from Washington
• RHP Jason Bergmann promoted to Washington (no word on corresponding move, though Mark Zuckerman suggests it might be RHP Joel Hanrahan or LHP Matt Chico)

Record: Columbus 22-18, 3rd place IL West (4GB)

Today: RHP Tyler Clippard (2-3, 4.34) takes on Rochester LHP Brian Duensing (2-4, 3.40) at 11:05AM

RHP Zech Zinicola allowed a run in the top of the ninth as the Harrisburg Senators fell 3-2 to the Reading Phillies (box/gamer). RHP Tristan Crawford had a strong start allowing only two runs on six hits and a pair of walks over six innnings of work with six strikeouts. RHPs Levale Speigner and Steve Schmoll chipped in with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and two walks. Zinicola’s inning of relief saw one run on two hits with two strikeouts. LF Justin Maxwell provided the offense, going 2/5 with a third inning two-run home run. A rehabbing Dmitri Young was 1/2 with a pair of walks. And, SS Ian Desmond was 1/3 with a double. Notes: Here are the transactions made by the Senators while I was gone:

• 1B Dmitri Young was added on a rehab assignment
• CA Luke Montz was placed on the DL and then activated from the DL (concussion); CA Patrick Nichols occupied Montz’ spot while he was out
• RHP Levale Speigner was activated from the DL
• RHP Josh Hall was released

Record: Harrisburg 23-14, 1st place EL North (2.5 games ahead)

Tonight: RHP Shairon Martis (2-1, 3.38) takes on Reading RHP Kip Bouknight (3-3, 3.83) at 6:05PM

The P-Nats were swept in a doubleheader yesterday, falling 6-1 in the opener (box) and 1-0 in the nightcap (box/gamer). In game one, the P-Nats were held hitless until DH Francisco Plasencia singled in the bottom of the seventh. Potomac continued their ability of scoring a run without a hit in the second. Frank Diaz walked, stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored a Myrtle Beach error. RHP Jhonny Nuñez pitched five strong shutout innings allowing only four hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. RHPs Carlos Martinez and Adam Carr allowed six runs in their one combined inning of work. Martinez allowed a hit, walk and hit a batter while Carr allowed three hits and a walk. In the second game, RHP Terrence Engles pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts but the P-Nats could not score any runs for him. 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 while SS Michael Martinez and DH Marvin Lowrance each had a double for the P-Nats. Notes: The P-Nats made the following moves while I was gone:

• RHP Chris Lugo was added to the roster from extended spring
• IF Jemel Spearman was removed from the roster

Record: Potomac 22-15, 1st place Carolina North (two games ahead)

Tonight:LHP Ross Detwiler (2-2, 4.45) looks to get Potomac back on track against Myrtle Beach HP Ryne Ryenoso (3-1, 3.44) at 7:05PM

DH Tim Pahuta hit a first inning two-run home run kicking off a 6-5 Hagerstown win over Lexington (box/gamer). Pahuta was 3/5 with the homer, double and three runs scored. 3B Stephen King was 2/5 with a double and run scored. It was his fifth straight game with a hit since his return. 2B Jake Smolinski was 2/4 with a run scored and RBI. CF/LF Aaron Seuss was 2/3 with two RBI. RHP Brad Meyers made the start, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings, with four strikeouts. Notes: Hagerstown made the following moves while I was gone:

• IF Stephen King was added from extended spring
• IF Steve Souza was sent to extended spring
• RHP Jamie Lehman was activated from the DL
• RHP Hassan Pena (on DL) was sent to extended spring
• RHP Edulin Abreu was placed on the restricted list

Record: Hagerstown 17-20, 5th place South Atlantic North

Today: Hagerstown and Lexington play at 10:05AM (pitchers TBD)