Nationals Farm Authority

Now that the minor league season has ended for the Nationals affiliates, I am going to begin a recap of each level highlighting the overall performances and top prospects at each level.

Today I start with the Dominican Summer League (DSL). Once again in 2007, the Nats had two teams in the DSL, both were based out of Loma del Sueño, Jose Rijo’s complex in the Dominican Republic. But unlike last season where both squads finished with a sub-0.500 record, the DSL Nationals1 not only finished with a winning record (49-15), they also won the DSL Championship, besting the DSL Yankees1 three games to two in the best-of-five series.

STATISTICS

Hitting

Pitching

As you would expect, the Nats1 had both above average hitting and pitching while the Nats2 were below average versus the league as a whole. While the Nats1 did not hit as many home runs as the average team (in fact, both Nats teams combined were less than league average), they made up for it by stealing over fifty more bases with a greater success rate than league average (75% vs 66%). Add to that the pitching dominance the Nats1 demonstrated where they outperformed the league averages in virtually every pitching rate statistic.

The one thing to keep in mind when looking at these performances are the relative ages of the players involved. Below is a table showing the average of both the Nats 1 & 2 hitters and pitchers in DSL versus league average:

The Nats1 were clearly a more experienced team which likely played an important role in their results, especially with the pitching staff where the bulk of their starts were made by players 20 years or older. But taking a closer look at the actual composition of the roster, there are some promising signs …

Regular Lineup

The presence of players such as Jimenez, Sanchez, Perez, Paez, Morales and Hodge show that the Nationals are in fact replenishing their pipeline in the Dominican Republic. Players are entering the system from the Dominican, Venezuela and even Argentina. The most important signs are two fold, first, will these younger players continue to populate and eventually assume the majority of the roster spots and more importantly, will these names appear again in the Gulf Coast League, Vermont, all the way to Washington in the ideal scenario.

The Newcomers

‘#’= switch-hitter; ‘*’= lefthanded

The Nationals saw some pretty solid performances from their youngest players. Alejandro Hodge and Eury Perez were the full-time starters in center field for their respective teams and both players showed solid on-base numbers and some developing speed on the base paths. 20-year Francisco Soriano was probably the biggest surprise, showing extra-base power (8/36 hits were for extra bases) while playing 35 games at shortstop. An interesting name on the list is Francisco Vizcaino who was signed as a LHP but also saw six games at DH and five games at 1B.

‘*’ = lefthanded

The clear stars here were Marcos Frias and Carlos Peralta. Frias became a solid starter for both the Nats1 (2-2 with 3.21ERA 1.29WHIP over 42IP) and the Nats2 (4-1 with 0.38ERA 1.53WHIP over 24IP), including a win in the championship clinching game. Though old by DSL standards, Peralta provided spectacular relief for the Nats1 with 15 saves in his 28 appearances.

Without further ado …

Top 15 DSL Prospects

1. Federico Tanco RHSP
2. Juan Beltre LF
3. Marcos Frias RHSP
4. Eduardo Urbina 1B
5. Alejandro Hodge CF
6. Eury Perez CF
7. Hendry Jimenez 2B
8. Jorge Urena RHSP
9. Adrian Sanchez 2B
10. Carlos Peralta RHRP
11. Francisco Soriano SS
12. Dani Arias SS
13. Yeurys Tejeda SS
14. Danny Taveras CA/DH
15. Ricardo Martinez CA

Vermont finished the season with an above 0.500 record, defeating Hudson Valley 8-4 on Friday night (box/gamer). Josh Smoker started the season finale allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over two innings with two strikeouts. Adrian Alaniz picked up his eighth win of the season giving up two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four. LF Boomer Whiting was 1/4 with one RBI and one run scored. He also stole two more bases, finishing his season with league leading 37. DH Garrett Bass (2/5) and 1B Aaron Seuss (1/5) each drove in a pair of runs. CA Sean Rooney was 3/4 with one RBI and RF Michael Burgess was 2/5 with one RBI.

The DSL Nationals1 became the first Nationals affiliate at any level to win a championship, rallying from a 3-1 deficit at home to defeat the DSL Yankees1 5-3, winning the best of five series three games to two (box). Marcos Frias won the decisive game, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings of work while striking out two. Federico Tanco held the DSL Yankees hitless and scoreless over three innings of relief, striking out four. Carlos Peralta picked up the save with a perfect ninth. LF Juan Beltre (0/4) and CA Yan Carlos Hiciano (1/3) each had a pair of RBI for the DSL Nats1.

The DSL Nationals1 won the 2007 Dominican Summer League Championship, winning the series 3-2 over the DSL Yankees1. Details to follow.

Vermont won a 12-7 slugfest in Hudson Valley, evening up their record at 37-37 (box/gamer). RF Michael Burgess was 4/5 with a triple, two home runs and five RBI. Burgess hit a solo home run in the second and capped off his evening with a three-run shot in the ninth. DH Garrett Bass (1/4 with 2 runs), 1B Aaron Seuss (1/4 with 2 runs), and CA Sean Rooney (1/5 with 1 run) each had two RBI in the victory. LF Boomer Whiting was 0/3 with two runs scored and his 35th stolen base of the season. Lake Monsters pitching struck out sixteen Renegades. Jack McGeary struck out a pair of hitters, but allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks over 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Buchter struck out four, but surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings. Randy Matias had four strikeouts in his three innings of two-hit shutout relief. And, Martin Beno picked up the victory striking out six over the final two innings. If Vermont can win tonight, they will finish with an above 0.500 record.

Tonight: LHP Josh Smoker (0-0, 0.00) wraps up the Lake Monsters season against Hudson Valley at 7:05PM

Home teams continued to hold serve as the DSL Yankees1 edged out the DSL Nationals1 2-1, evening the best of five series at two games each (box). RHP Amado de los Santos took the loss allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings, while striking out three. LHP Miguel Aracena pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing only one hit and striking out one. LF Juan Beltre was 1/2 with a walk, run and two stolen bases. SS Dani Arias was 1/4 with one RBI.

Today: It’s winner take all as the DSL Nationals1 and DSL Yankees1 play the fifth and deciding game at 11:00AM at the Jose Rijo complex.

Minor League News & Notes … Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times looks at the improvement in the Nationals player development.

Jordan Zimmermann struggled in his final start of 2007 as Vermont was defeated by Hudson Valley 7-4 (box/gamer). Zimmermann allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks over 3 1/3 innings, though he did strike out five. CA Craig Stinson was 2/4 with his first professional home run and two RBI. 1B Aaron Seuss was 2/4 with a run scored. LF Boomer Whiting & DH Garrett Bass each had a double and SS Dan Lyons had a triple. The Lake Monsters need to win their final two games of the season to finish with an above 0.500 record.

Tonight: LHP Jack McGeary (0-1, 18.00) starts at Hudson Valley at 6:05PM

The DSL Nationals1 defeated the DSL Yankees1 6-3, moving to a two games to one lead in the best of five DSL Championship Series (box). Jorge Urena started for the Nats surrendering three runs on six hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings pitched. Reliever Juan Jamie picked up his second win with three solid shutout innings allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out four. Carlos Peralta picked up his second save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. LF Juan Beltre was 2/4 with a solo home run and stolen base. 1B Eduardo Urbina was 2/4 with one run and one RBI. 3B Yeurys Tejeda was 1/3 with a home run and two RBI. CA Yan Carlos Hiciano was 2/3 with a double. And, CF Eury Perez was 1/2 with a walk and one RBI.

Today: The DSL Nationals1 look to win the DSL Championship with a 11:00AM game at the Latin Baseball Academy (DSL Yankees1 home)

The Vermont Lake Monsters wrapped up their home season with a 4-2 victory over the Lowell Spinners (box/gamer). Cole Kimball and two relievers combined on a three-hitter. Kimball struck out eight over five innings allowing only one run on one hit and three walks. Alberto Tavarez pitched the next two innings surrendering a run on two hits and two walks, while striking out two. And, Edulin Abreu picked up his third save of the season with two scoreless/hitless innings of relief, walking and striking out two, LF Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a triple, two runs scored and a stolen base. It was Whiting’s sixth stolen base in his last nine games and his league-leading 34th of the season. DH Garrett Bass was 2/3 with a double, stolen base and three RBI. Bass has six RBI over his last three games. 3B Anthony Benner was 1/3 with a double and is hitting 314/407/431 in his 17 games since the All-Star break. The win evened Vermont’s record at 36-36 with three games left on the schedule. If Vermont can win two out of their final three games, the Lake Monsters will join the Potomac Nationals and the DSL Nationals1 as Nationals’ affiliates with above 0.500 records.

Tonight: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.63 ERA) opens Vermont’s final series of the season in Hudson Valley at 6:05PM

The DSL Nationals1 dropped the second game of the championship series with the DSL Yankees1 8-5, evening things up at one game apiece (box). Federico Tanco allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings to get the loss. RF Valerio Heredia was 1/5 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. DH Danny Taveras was 2/3 with a walk and three RBI. 1B Eduardo Urbina was 1/2 with one RBI. CF Eury Perez was 1/2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored.

Today: The DSL Nationals1 return home for game three of the championship series at 10:30AM

Columbus wrapped up the season with a five-game series against Toledo over the Labor Day weekend, winning two of the five:

• Friday: Lost 5-2 (box/gamer): Chris Michalak started and went eight innings allowing five runs on ten hits and three walks with five strikeouts. CF Ryan Langerhans was 2/4 with a run scored. DH Abraham Nunez was 2/4. 1B Larry Broadway was 1/4 with a double and two RBI.
• Saturday: Won 4-0 (box/gamer): Levale Speigner closed out his 2007 in strong fashion, blanking the Mud Hens on two hits over seven shutout innings. He struck out seven and walked only one. Arnie Munoz and Chris Booker finished it off with two shutout innings of one-hit relief. DH Abraham Nunez was 2/4 with a two-run home run, his seventeenth of the season. 1B Larry Broadway was 2/3 with a solo home run, his thirteenth of the season. 3B Brent Abernathy was 2/4 with a run scored. SS Melvin Dorta was 2/2 with one RBI and two stolen bases.
• Sunday 1: Lost 5-4 (box): Beltran Perez was smacked around for five runs on ten hits in just 3 1/3 innings. CF Ryan Langerhans was 2/4 with a run scored. 2B Bernie Castro was 1/3 with two runs scored and his 34th stolen base of the season. RF Abraham Nunez was 2/4 with a pair of RBI.
• Sunday 2:Lost 6-4 (box/gamer): Craig Stammen, who was called up from Potomac over the weekend allowed five runs on four hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. 2B Bernie Castro was 2/4 with a double, run scored and RBI. RF Abraham Nunez was 1/3 with a double and RBI. CA Juan Brito was 2/3 with a double and run scored.
• Monday: Won 4-3 (box). CF Ryan Langerhans was 2/4 with a double and a ninth inning two-run home run that proved decisive in the 4-3 victory. 1B Larry Broadway was 0/3 with a sacrifice fly. SS Manny Alexander was 3/4 with a double and two runs scored. Collin Balester made the final start of the season, allowing two runs on four hits and one walks with eight strikeouts. Chris Booker picked up the win with two shutout innings of relief allowing only one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.

Harrisburg wrapped up their season with a four-game series with Reading, winning three of four:

• Friday: Won 8-6 (box/gamer). Justin Jones moved to 2-0 in the Eastern League scattering five runs (four earned) on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. Zech Zinicola and Adam Carr closed out the game with 2 2/3 innings of two-hit/one-run relief striking out four. CF Roger Bernadina was 3/5 with a grand slam home run. 3B Dan Dement was 2/5 with a double and a solo home run. RF Frank Diaz was 2/4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
• Saturday: Lost 5-1 (box/gamer). Mike O’Connor allowed four runs on five hits over five innings of working, falling to 3-7 on the season. Carlos Martinez pitched three scoreless innings of relief allowing only one walk. Harrisburg could manage only three hits on the evening, singles by Marcos Yepez and Ofilio Castro and a double by Javi Herrera.
• Sunday: Won 18-3 (box/gamer). The Senators broke out the lumber on Sunday with every starter (except the pitcher, though reliever Mike Hinckley was 2/2) getting at least one hit and every player who had an AB (pitchers included) scored at least one run. CF Sheldon Fulse was 3/4 with three runs and two RBI. S Marcos Yepez was 2/4 with two RBI. LF Dan Dement was 1/4 with two runs and two RBI. 1B Josh Whitesell was 2/4 with a double, home run, and three RBI. 2B Brandon Powell was 1/5 with a grand slam. CA Luke Montz was 3/5 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored. This was more than enough offense for starter Gerald Plexico who picked up the win with six innings of four-hit ball allowing both runs on solo home runs. Hinckley returned from the DL (Frank Diaz was returned to the DL with back spasms) and threw two innings allowing two hits and one run.
• Monday: Won 8-3 (box/gamer). RF Steve Mortimer was 2/4 with a grand slam and five RBI. CA Javi Herrera was 2/4 with a solo homer. 3B Ofilio Castro was 2/3 with a triple and one RBI.And, 2B Brandon Powell was 1/3 with two runs and one RBI. Jim Magrane picked up the win allowing only two runs on five hits and one walk over 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.
• Senators manager Scott Little will be leaving the Nationals organization.

Potomac entered the weekend as a longshot to force a one-game playoff with Wilmington on Tuesday. Unfortunately for the P-Nats, despite their win 4-0 over Lynchburg on Friday, Wilmington’s 4-0 shutout of Salem ended the playoff chances. Potomac then wrapped up their season on the road in Wilmington, winning only one out of three games, but finishing as the only full season Nationals team with an above 0.500 record.

• Friday: Won 4-0 over Lynchburg (box/gamer). Shairon Martis was masterful on Friday night, keeping the Hillcats off-balance the entire game with an assortment of pitches. Martis allowed only four hits over eight innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Jack Spradlin pitched a scoreless ninth sealing the win. Martis was aided by spectacular defense led by CF Justin Maxwell who brought back a home run from Lynchburg’s Tripper Johnson. RF Mike Daniel was 1/2 with a walk, double, and two RBI. SS Ian Desmond was 2/3 with a run scored. Maxwell and LF Chris Marerro each had an RBI. And, 3B Greg Thissen was 0/1 with two runs scored, including a home plate collision jarring the ball loose.
• Saturday: Lost to Wilmington 2-1 (box). Cory VanAllen scattered nine hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Greg Bunn and Clint Everts pitched the final 2 1/3 innings allowing only one walk. Potomac could only manage four hits on the evening, singles by SS Ian Desmond, 3B Leonard Davis, & 1B Brett McMillan and a double by Matt Rogelstad.
• Sunday: Lost to Wilmington 2-1 (box). Brad Meyers final start of the season was a mixed bag. He allowed no runs on four hits over 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts, but he walked five Blue Rocks hitters. Jack Spradlin closed his season strong with two shutout innings allowing no hits, walking only one and striking out four. SS Ian Desmond was 2/4. CF Justin Maxwell was 1/4 with a double and a run scored. 2B Matt Rogelstad was 2/4.
• Monday: Won over Wilmington 11-5 (box). Ross Detwiler made the final start of the season allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks over three innings with two strikeouts. Gene Yost picked up the win with four innings of relief allowing only one run on three hits with three strikeouts. CF Justin Maxwell was 1/3 with a three run home run, LF Chris Marrero was 2/5 with a solo home run, and 3B Leonard Davis  was 2/5 with a two-run homer. CA Devin Ivany was 2/5 with a double, stolen base, RBI and two runs scored. And, 1B Brett McMillan was 2/4 with two RBI.

Hagerstown wrapped up their season with a four games against Lakewood, winning three of four.

• Friday: Lost 12-0 (box). The Suns made nine errors leading to five unearned runs. There were errors for everybody, SS Michael Martinez made three (40 on the season), 3B Trevor Lawhorn made two (8 in his short time), 2B Marcos Cabral mad two (25 on the season), and single errors by CF Francisco Plasencia and 1B Robby Jacobsen. Plasencia was 2/4, Cabral was 3/5, and Jacobsen was 3/4.
• Saturday: Won 7-0 (box). Yunior Novoa and three relievers combined on a five five-hit shutout. Novoa went the first four allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out three. Joseph Welsh picked up the win with two one-hit innings, walking and striking out one. SS Michael Martinez was 1/4 with a triple and two RBI. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 3/5 with a double, triple, home run, two runs and three RBI.1B Robby Jacobsen was 2/4 with one RBI.
• Sunday: Won 4-1 (box). Erik Arnesen picked up the win in his final start allowing only one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings of work with four strikeouts. Aaron Jackson picked up the save with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out one. 1B Robby Jacobsen was 1/3 with a double and three RBI and 2B Marcos Cabral was 1/4 with a solo home run.
• Monday: Won 2-1 (box). Jeff Mandel and two relievers combined on a six-hitter ending the Suns season on a winning note. Mandel went five innings allowing all six hits and one run with four strikeouts. Yader Peralta picked up the win with three no-hit shutout innings of relief, striking out two and Josh Wilkie picked up his 11th save of the season with a perfect ninth, striking out two. RF Joe Napoli and 1B Robby Jacobsen each had a double and one RBI, while 3B Trevor Lawhorn and CA John Poppert scored the Hagerstown runs.

Vermont played four games over the Labor Day weekend, dropping one to Oneonta and losing two out of the first three games against Lowell.

• Friday: Lost to Oneonta 5-4 (box/gamer). Glenn Gibson’s struggles after early dominance continued as he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits over five innings with four strikeouts. LF Boomer Whiting was 2/4 with three runs scored and two stolen bases (he now has 33 on the season). DH Mark Gildea was 1/4 with two RBI. And, SS Dan Lyons was 1/2 with one RBI.
• Saturday: Lost to Lowell 4-0 (box/gamer). Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary made their professional debuts, one good and one not so good. Smoker started and three two scoreless/hitless innings allowing one walk and striking out three. McGeary went one allowing two runs on one hit and two walks with two strikeouts. Adrian Alaniz took over allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits over four innings with four strikeouts. RF Michael Burgess was 2/3 with a double.
• Sunday: Lost to Lowell 7-4 (box). Colton Willems allowed four runs (only one earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings of work, striking out four. CA Sean Rooney was 2/4 with a run scored. RF Michael Burgess was 1/5 with a run. CF Stephen Englund was 1/4 with one RBI. 2B Jean Alvarez was 2/4 with a double. And, 3B Anthony Benner was 2/4.
• Monday: Won 9-5 over Lowell (box/gamer). The Lake Monsters bats finally woke up, pounding out 15 hits. LF Boomer Whiting  was 3/4 with one RBI and two runs scored. 1B Aaron Seuss was 1/5 with two RBI. DH Garrett Bass was 2/5 with a home run and two RBI. CF Stephen Englund was 2/3 with a home run and two RBI. And, 3B Anthony Benner was 2/4 with a run scored. Hassan Pena started, going five innings allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts. Ryan Buchter picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, striking out two. And Randy Matias worked a scoreless seventh, striking out the side.
• Glenn Gibson was placed on the DL over the weekend. I’m trying to find out the reason UPDATE: Tip of the hat to Freda who gave me the information, Gibson was shut down to open up a roster spot for Garrett Bass. There was nothing specifically injury related other than a tired arm.

Tonight: RHP Cole Kimball (2-6, 4.40) wraps up the series with Lowell with the final 2007 game in Vermont at 7:05PM

The DSL Nationals1 became the first Washington team to not only reach the playoffs but also reach the championship series, defeating the DSL Angels 5-2 on Friday (box) moving on to the best-of-five championship series with the DSL Yankees1. 20-year old RHP Jorge Urena picked up the win with six scoreless innings allowing only four hits, walking three and striking out three. 22-year old RHP Carlos Peralta picked up the save striking out the only batter he faced. 19-year old 1B Eduardo Urbina was 2/4 with two runs scored and 19-year old 3B Yeurys Tejeda was 2/4 with a home run and two RBI. On Monday, the DSL Nationals1 took the opener of the DSL championship, winning the first game at home over the DSL Yankees1 3-2,. CA Danny Taveras was 2/4 with a double. Marcos Frias started and went six innings allowing three hits, two walks and two runs (one earned). Juan Jamie relieved Frias, walking one and striking out two. Valerio Heredia was 2/4 with a run scored and Dani Arias was 2/3 with a run scored and two RBI.

Today: Game two between the DSL Nationals1 and DSL Yankees1 is played at the home of the Yankees at 10:30AM

Minor League News & Notes … Mark Zuckerman has a few of the names of the Nationals farmhands attending the Instructional League “Forty-nine Nationals farmhands will participate in the Fall Instructional League. Workouts begin Sept. 17 in Viera, Fla., with a 16-game schedule beginning Sept. 22. Among the organization’s top prospects playing this fall are pitchers Luis Atilano, Glenn Gibson, Josh Smoker, Colton Willems and Jordan Zimmermann; infielders Stephen King and Esmailyn Gonzalez; and outfielders Michael Burgess, Mike Daniel and Chris Marrero.” … I am working on getting the complete list of attendees … speaking of fall/winter league baseball, I have confirmed that given the Nationals will be holding an Instructional League, they will not be sending any players to the Hawaii Winter Baseball League

Columbus had a forgettable evening in Indianapolis, dropping the game 9-3 (box). Billy Traber allowed eight runs (four earned) on nine hits in only 3 2/3 innings. 2B Bernie Castro was 2/4 with a run scored; 1B Larry Broadway was 1/3 with a solo home run; and 2B Brent Abernathy was 3/4 with a double, run scored and RBI.

Tonight: Columbus opens up their final home stand of the season, a two-game series against Toledo with Clippers LHP Chris Michalak (5-7, 3.13) versus Mudhens RHP Virgil Vasquez (12-5, 3.48) at 7:25PM

Harrisburg fell behind early and never got back into it, losing 7-2 to Erie (box). Garrett Mock made his final Eastern League start of the season surrendering all seven runs (four earned) on nine hits and five walks over six innings, striking out five. Devin Perrin and David Trahan provided a combined three shutout innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out three. CF Roger Bernadina was 2/4 with his 40th stolen base of the season. And, DH Josh Whitesell was 1/3 with a double, run, and RBI, returning to the lineup after back spasms caused him to miss the last week.

Tonight: Harrisburg opens their final series of the season, a four-game home stand with Reading. Senators LHP Justin Jones (1-0, 4.91) matches up with Phillies RHP Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.48) at 6:35PM

Potomac won their tenth straight game, riding strong pitching from Marco Estrada and home runs from Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond to a 3-2 victory over Lynchburg (box). Estrada finished hisCarolina League season 5-3 after throwing six innings allowing two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts. Estrada finished the month of August 4-1 with a 2.61ERA and 1.03WHIP with 33 strikeouts and only five walks in 31IP. CF Justin Maxwell was 2/4 with a pair of solo home runs. Maxwell now has twenty-six combine home runs, twelve in the Carolina League, and ten alone in the month of August. SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with a double and a solo home run. And LF Mike Daniel was 3/3 with a walk.

Tonight: Potomac plays their final home game of the season tonight against Lynchburg. P-Nats RHP Shairon Martis (13-8, 4.47) throws against Hillcats RHP Derek Hankins (8-5, 5.20 ERA) at 7:35PM

Hagerstown’s game with Delmarva was called due to inclement weather in the eighth innings with game knotted at 2-2, neither teams will be credited with a win or charged with a loss, but the statistics will count (box). Chris Lugo pitched five innings allowing only one run on six hits. Yader Peralta threw two shutout innings of relief allowing one hit and two walks. Josh Wilkie allowed the game-tying run on one hit in one inning of work. SS Michael Martinez was 3/3 with a run scored. RF Joe Napoli  was 1/3 with one RBI. And, CA John Poppert was 2/3 with one RBI.

Tonight: Hagerstown opens their final home series of the season, a two-gamer against Lakewood at 7:05PM. Suns LHP Zach Baldwin (4-5, 3.76) faces BlueClaws LHP Antonio Bastardo (9-0, 1.87)

Vermont finally got back on track with Jordan Zimmermann starting in his second straight shutout, blanking Oneonta 6-0 (box/gamer). Zimmermann allowed only one hit in his five innings of work, walking one and striking out nine to move to 5-1 on the season. Zimmermann is 3-0 in August with a 1.17ERA and 1.09WHIP with 31 strikeouts and seven walks in 23 IP. Caleb Staudt and Luke Pisker pitched the final four innings allowing only one additional hit and striking out a combined six. SH Boomer Whiting was 1/5 with his 31st steal of the season (in 54 games). 1B Aaron Seuss was 2/3 with a run and RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 3/3 with one run and one RBI. CF  Stephen Englund was 1/4 with one RBI.

Tonight: LHP Glenn Gibson (4-2, 2.79) wraps up the quick two-game home series with Oneonta at 7:05PM. He’ll be opposed by Tigers RHP Jay Sborz (0-0, 4.32)

The DSL Nationals1 got their first taste of playoff action as they rallied from a 9-8 deficit to walk off with a 10-9 victory over the DSL Angels on an Eduardo Urbina single in the bottom of the ninth (box). Urbina was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. RF/LF Valerio Heredia was 1/4 with three runs scored and one RBI. DH Danny Taveras was 2/4 with a double, stolen base, two runs, and two RBI. LF Juan Beltre was 2/4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Federico Tanco started for the DSL Nats1 allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings,s triking out six. Juan Jamie pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing a run on two hits but getting all four outs on strikeouts. Carlos Peralta blew the save allowing an unearned run in his two innings of work but picked up the win when the Nats rallied in the ninth.

Today: The DSL Nationals1 look to close out the best-of-three series with an 11:00AM game in San Pedro de Macorís at Anaheim’s Complex. The winner of this series will take on the winner of the DSL Yankees1 and DSL Pirates series (Yankees1 leading 1-0) 

Columbus split a doubleheader with Indianapolis, getting shutout 7-0 in game one and returning the favor 3-0 in game two (box1/box2). Matt Chico took the loss in game one, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings of work with four strikeouts. The Clippers only managed four singles on offense, one each by CF Ryan Langerhans, RF Abraham Nunez, 3B Brent Abernathy, and SS Manny Alexander. In the second game, Levale Speigner and three relievers combined on a five-hit shutout. Speigner pitched the first four innings allowing three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Jon Albaladejo picked up the win with one inning of relief striking out two. Winston Abreu struck out one in his inning of work. And, Chris Booker picked up his 30th save of the season striking out two in the seventh. Langerhans was 1/3 with a double and a run scored. Abernathy was 1/4 with one RBI. And 1B, Larry Broadway was 2/3 with a solo home run, his eleventh of the season. Notes: It appears that RHRP Hector Carrasco was released from Columbus to make a space for Perez.

Tonight: RHP Beltran Perez (NR) takes on Indianapolis LHP Michael Tejera (8-4, 3.93) at 7:00PM

Harrisburg rallied back from an early 7-1 deficit, scoring ten unanswered runs to dump the Erie Seawolves 11-7 (box/gamer). The Senators fell behind early as starting pitcher Mike O’Connor was touched up for three home runs among his nine hits over four innings. O’Connor was charged with seven earned runs. Devin Perrin picked up the win in relief, going two scoreless, striking out three. Zech Zinicola picked up his sixth save on the season with three perfect innings striking out two. DH Tony Blanco (2/4) hit a two-run home run in his return from the DL (OF Dee Brown was placed on the DL making a space for Blanco). CA Luke Montz was 1/4 with a home run and three RBI. 1B Dan Dement was 1/4 with three RBI. And, CF Roger Bernadina was 3/5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored.

Tonight: LHP Jeremy Plexico (1-5, 4.55) versus Erie RHP Andrew Kown (5-8, 4.63) at 6:35PM

Potomac completed the four-game sweep of Myrtle Beach, winning the suspended first game 6-0 and holding off a late Pelicans charge for a 4-3 win in the regularly scheduled game (box1/box2/gamer). Ross Detwiler took over for Sunday starter Craig Stammen and showed signs of what made Detwiler a first round selection in 2007. Detwiler kept the Pelicans off-balance for six innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out three. Detwiler let his defense help him out, inducing nine groundball outs. RF Mike Daniel was 2/4 with a pair of runs scored. 2B Matt Rogelstad was 1/2 with a double, run scored and three RBI. DH Marvin Lowrance was 3/3 with a home run and three RBI. In the second game, Cory VanAllen struck out eight Pelicans in his five innings of work, allowing only one run on five hits. CF Justin Maxwell was 2/3 with a double and one RBI. Matt Rogelstad was 2/2 with a triple and a run scored. And DH Devin Ivany was 0/2 but socred once and drove in two runs.  Notes: The Potomac News profiled Justin Maxwell.

Tonight: Potomac opens up their final home series of the season against Lynchburg at 7:35PM. RHP Brad Meyers (0-0, 9.00) matches up with RHP Todd Redmond (7-10, 4.62)

Hagerstown ended up splitting the four-game home & home with Lakewood, losing both games in Hagerstown including Monday’s 3-1 defeat (box/gamer). Yunior Novoa picked up his 12th loss of the season allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings of work. Novoa struck out five ‘Claws hitters without walking a batter. Yader Peralta pitched the final three scoreless innings allowing only one hit. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/4 with a solo home run for the Suns.

Tonight: Hagerstown opens a three-game home series with Delmarva with tonight’s 7:05PM game. RHP Erik Arnesen (5-7, 5.22) takes un RHP Kyle Schmidt (6-8, 3.69)

Vermont was swept away at home by Brooklyn as the bullpen faltered in a 7-6 loss (box/gamer). Colton Willems pitched a solid five shutout innings scattering six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Randy Matias took the loss allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in only 1 1/3 innings. Luke Pisker struck out the side in the ninth. LF Boomer Whiting was 2/5 with two RBI and two stolen bases. SS Dan Lyons was 1/2 with one RBI and one stolen base. DH Aaron Seuss was 2/5 with three RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with a pair of walks ond one run scored.

Tonight: RHP Hassan Pena (4-4, 3.86) opens Vermont’s series at Tri-City against RHP Carlos Ladeuth (0-4, 2.94)

The GCL Nationals wrapped up their season with a 2-2 tie with the GCL Marlins (box). Brad Peacock started going two innings allowing one run on two hits while striking out two. Justin Phillabaum pitched three scoreless innings allowing only one hit and one walk while stirking out two. SS Frank Cruz was 1/2 with a walk and a stolen base. RF Yhonson Lopez was 1/3 with a two-run home run.

Columbus took two out of three games over the weekend against Louisville, winning 12-9 on Friday (box/gamer); winning 3-2 on Saturday (box/gamer); and losing 3-1 on Sunday (box).

• Friday: The Clippers won a slugfest led by CA Brandon Harper who was 4/5 with a three-run home run and two runs scored. 2B Bernie Castro was 3/6 with three runs scored. LF Kory Casto was 2/6 with three RBI. 1B Larry Broadway was 2/5 with a double and two RBI. RF Abraham Nunez was 2/4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Collin Balester started but did not figure in the decision, going four innings allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. Chris Booker picked up his 28th save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
• Saturday: Abraham Nunez’s (2/3) two-run home run in the seventh tied the game and a sacrifice fly by CA Juan Brito (0/2) put the Clippers ahead to stay. Billy Traver gave Columbus five strong innings allowing only a solo home run among his five hits while striking out six. Jon Albaladejo picked up the win in relief with two innings allowing a solo home run and striking out one. Chris Booker  added his 29th save striking out two in a perfect ninth.
• Sunday: Columbus missed ou on the three-game road sweep as they could muster only four hits (two for extra bases, doubles by Bernie Castro and Melvin Dorta). Chris Michalak took the loss allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings of work.
• Notes: RHP Beltran Perez was added from Harrisburg. LHP John Lannan was sent down from Washington (he’ll likely not pitch and only occupy a roster spot there until September 1st roster expansion). RHP Jason Bergmann was activated from the DL

Tonight: The Clippers open a series in Indianapolis with a doubleheader starting at 6:00PM. LHP Matt Chico (1-0, 0.00) & possibly RHP Beltran Perez (NR) throwing for Columbus.

Harrisburg split a four-game series in Altoona. After losing on Thursday, the Senators won 6-5 on Friday (box/gamer); lost 7-6 on Saturday (box/gamer); and won 6-3 on Sunday (box/gamer).

• Friday: Jim Magrane scattered four runs and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings but it took a pair of solo home runs in the top of the ninth for the Senators to pull out the win. Adam Carr picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings allowing one run on one hit and two walks.  David Trahan got the save with a scoreless ninth. CF Roger Bernadina (1/4 with two runs and one SB) and LF  Frank Diaz (2/4 with two runs and one SB) hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth giving Harrisburg the lead for good. 3B/LF Dan Dement was 3/5 with two doubles and three RBI in his first game back since the birth of his second child.
• Saturday: Harrisburg blew a 6-2 lead, kicking away an ugly game in which they made five errors. 2B Brandon Powell was 3/4 with a double and two runs scored. RF  Frank Diaz was 2/5 with a double and a run scored. CA Luke Montz was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. Garrett Mock started for Harrisburg allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings of work. A more promising sign was his 9/4 groundball/flyball ratio, Mock is at his best when he gets groundballs. The bullpen (Carlos Martinez, Alex Morales, and Zech Zinicola) allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks over the final three innings.
• Sunday: Justin Jones made his return to Harrisburg, picking up the victory with six innings allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six and not walking a batter. David Trahan and Brett Campbell pitched the final three scoreless innings allowing only one baserunner. Roger Bernadina was 1/5 with a double, two RBI and his 39th stolen base of the season. SS Marcos Yepez was 3/4 with a double and a run scored. LF Sheldon Fulse was 2/4 with a double and two runs scored. 3B Ofilio Castro was 3/4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and one run scored.
• Notes: LHP Justin Jones was added from Potomac, replacing RHP Beltran Perez. Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News says give 1B Josh Whitesell a shot at the majors.

Tonight: Harrisburg opens up their final homestand of the season with LHP Mike O’Connor (3-6, 6.50) taking on Erie RHP Eulogio De La Cruz (4-5, 3.57) at 6:35PM

Potomac battled both the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the elements over the weekend. On Friday, they defeated the Pelicans 5-1 (box/gamer); were rained out on Saturday; and only got half of their doubleheader in on Sunday, taking the first game 4-1 (box) and having game two suspended after an inning with the P-Nats leading 4-0. The game will be completed this evening as part of a doubleheader with the regularly scheduled game (two seven inning games).

• Friday: Marco Estrada held the Pelicans scoreless over six innings allowing only four hits and striking out seven without walking a batter. Estrada is now 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA over four August starts.Jack Spradlin and Clint Everts pitched the final three innings allowing three hits and one unearned run while striking out four. SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with a double, run scored, and two RBI. CF Mike Daniel was 1/3 with a triple, run scored, and two RBI. And LF Chris Marrero was 2/4 with one RBI.
• Sunday: Shairon Martis threw a seven inning complete game allowing only one run on five hits with five strikeouts. Martis moved to 13-8 on the season. CF Justin Maxwell was 1/2 with a solo home run, his tenth in the Carolina League and 24th overall. LF Mike Daniel was 2/2 with a double and two RBI. Daniel is hitting 297/363/463 since his promotion to Potomac.

Today:  The P-Nats resume Sunday’s second game at 5:35PM with LHP Ross Detwiler (1-2, 6.57) taking over for Potomac against Myrtle Beach RHP Jeff Lyman (0-5, 9.39). In the second game, either LHP Cory VanAllen (2-6, 6.14) or RHP Clint Everts (3-10, 5.12) will take the mound for Potomac against Pelicans RHP Ryan Drese (0-1, 3.60)

The Hagerstown Suns played a four-game home & home series with the Lakewood BlueClaws the first two in Lakewood followed by two in Hagerstown). On Friday, the Suns defeated the BlueClaws 7-4 (box); on Saturday, they won again in Lakewood 3-1 (box); but lost the first game of their home series 10-2 (box). The fourth game is scheduled for this evening.

• Friday: 1B Robby Jacobsen was 2/4 with a double and three RBI. Newcomer RF  Robby Tolan was 2/5 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Tolan was signed by the Nationals this year as an undrafted minor league free agent. CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/5 with one RBI and one run scored. SS Michael Martinez was 3/5 with a run and a stolen base. Jeff Mandel picked up the win allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings with six strikeouts. Yader Peralta picked up the save with two hitless/scoreless innings striking out four.
• Saturday: Hagerstown used four pitchers to hold the BlueClaws to one run on six hits . Chris Lugo started and went 4 1/3 innings allowing the only run on four hits with three strikeouts. Coby Mavroulis picked up the win with 1 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief and Josh Wilkie got his 10th save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Michael Martinez was 2/4 with one run scored and a stolen base. 3B Trevor Lawhorn was 2/4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. DH Marcos Cabral was 1/4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Robby Tolan was 1/3 with a walk.
• Sunday: The Suns return home was error-filled as Hagerstown made four errors leading to five unearned runs. Zach Baldwin took the loss allowing eight runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings. Marcos Cabral was 2/3 with one RBI. Robby Tolan was 2/4 with a run scored and his a hit in all three of his games for Hagerstown.

Tonight: LHP Yunior Novoa (5-11, 4.44) takes on Lakewood RHP Darren Byrd (8-10, 4.15) at 7:05PM

Vermont got one strong starting pitching performance, one average one, and one clunker as the Lake Monsters beat Staten Island 10-0 on Friday (box/gamer); lost two to Brooklyn 14-3 on Saturday (box/gamer) and 8-2 on Sunday (box/gamer).

• Friday: Jordan Zimmermann pitched six shutout innings allowing only four hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter. Randy Matias picked up the save with three innings of three-hit relief, striking out five. DH Boomer Whiting was 2/4 with two RBI, two runs and one stolen base. 2B Stephen King was 2/4 with a double, run scored and two RBI … King has got at least one hit in all six of his games in Vermont. 1B Bill Rhinehart was 2/4 with a two-run home run. 3B Anthony Benner was 3/4 with one RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.
• Saturday: Glenn Gibson was blasted for seven runs on five hits and two walks in only 1 1/3 innings of work. RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with a solo home run, his first in Vermont. DH Stephen Englund was 1/2 with a double, two walks and one run scored. 1B Jean Alvarez was 2/4 with two RBI and actually finished the game on the mound with one inning allowing no runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.
• Sunday: Adrian Alaniz allowed three runs on four hits over five innings of work, striking out six. Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a double, walk, and one run. Anthony Benner was 1/3 with one RBI.
• Notes: LHPs Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary have both joined the Lake Monsters and were seen in uniform in the dugout for yesterday’s game … OF Mark Gildea was activated from the DL, while OF Garrett Bass was placed on the DL … 2B Stephen King & 1B Bill Rhinehart are nursing sore hamstrings

Tonight: RHP Colton Willems (3-1, 2.03) wraps up the three-game series with Brooklyn and RHP Dillon Gee (2-1, 2.58) at 7:05PM

The GCL Nationals game on Friday was postponed by rain. On Saturday, they dropped a 9-6 12-inning decision to the GCL Mets (box). And were not scheduled to play on Sunday. Patrick Arnold started on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over three innings with five strikeouts. Bradley Clark made his second appearance,a llowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. 1B Zach Booker was 2/5 with a double and two RBI. 2B Angel de Castro was 2/5 with a double. SS Frank Cruz was 0/5 but stole two bases. LF/3B Clint Pridmore was 1/4 with two RBI and one stolen base.

Today: The GCL Nationals wrap up their season with a 10:00AM game against the GCL Marlins

The DSL Nationals2 wrapped up their season dropping a 4-3 game to the DSL Padres (box). Joel Campana-Ventura started, striking out three over two scoreless innings. The DSL Nats2 managed only two hits, a single by Felix Fermin Jr and a double by Jose Altuve.