The Chiefs and RHP Collin Balester were knocked around in an 11-4 loss in Lehigh Valley (box/gamer). Balester surrendered six runs on ten hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. RHP Garrett Mock was also torched allowing four runs on one hit, two walks and three hit batters in just one inning of work. RF Justin Maxwell was 2/4 with a run scored, LF Ryan Langerhans was 1/4 with a two-run homer, 3B Kory Casto was 2/4 and 1B Brad Eldred was 2/3 with a double. Notes: IF Seth Bynum joined the Chiefs from Harrisburg yesterday.
Tonight: Syracuse RHP Kip Wells (0-0, 0.00) at Lehigh Valley RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 0.00) at 7:05PM
| INT North | W | L | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton/WB | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |
| Rochester | 5 | 2 | .714 | 2.0 | |
| Pawtucket | 4 | 3 | .571 | 3.0 | |
| Lehigh Valley | 2 | 4 | .333 | 4.5 | |
| Syracuse | 1 | 5 | .167 | 5.5 | |
| Buffalo | 1 | 6 | .143 | 6.0 |
The Senators dropped a 3-2 decision in Trenton, their fourth loss in a row (box/gamer). LHP Mike O’Connor made a solid start allowing a run on four hits and one walk over five innings with three strikeouts. LHP Yunior Novoa tool the loss giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of relief. Harrisburg managed only six hits of offense, all singles. SS Ian Desmond 1/3 with a run scored, DH Marvin Lowrance was 2/4, LF Leonard Davis was 1/3 with one RBI, and 2B Michael Martinez was 1/3 with a run scored. Notes: IF Jemel Spearman joined the Senators to replace Bynum.
Tonight: Harrisburg LHP Justin Jones (first start) vs Reading LHP Joe Savery (0-0, 1.50) at 7:05PM
| EAS Southern | W | L | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 5 | 1 | .833 | - | |
| Reading | 3 | 2 | .600 | 1.5 | |
| Bowie | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.5 | |
| Erie | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.5 | |
| Harrisburg | 1 | 4 | .200 | 3.5 | |
| Altoona | 0 | 6 | .000 | 5.0 |
The P-Nats were battered 12-4 by Salem (box/gamer). LHP Will Atwood was rocked for eight runs on nine hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings of work with just one strikeout. 2B Dan Nelson was 2/4 with two doubles, a run and RBI. SS Danny Espinosa was 1/3 with a double, two walks, and a stolen base. 3B Stephen King was 1/5 with two RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with a walk, run and stolen base. And, CA Brian Peacock was 1/3 with a double and run scored.
Today: Potomac RHP Erik Arnesen (0-0, 1.80) & LHP Tom Milone (1-0, 0.00) at Salem RHP Eammon Portice (1-0, 3.00) & LHP Jose Capellan (0-0, 3.60) at 5:30PM
| CAR Northern | W | L | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | 5 | 2 | .714 | - | |
| Frederick | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.0 | |
| Wilmington | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.0 | |
| Potomac | 2 | 4 | .333 | 2.5 |
The Hagerstown game against Delmarva was postponed by rain.
Tonight: LHP Jack McGeary (0-0, 0.00) versus Delmarva LHP Cole McCurry (0-0, 0.00) at 6:35PM
| SAL Northern | W | L | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannapolis | 5 | 2 | .714 | - | |
| Delmarva | 4 | 2 | .667 | 0.5 | |
| Hagerstown | 4 | 2 | .667 | 0.5 | |
| Greensboro | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.0 | |
| Hickory | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.0 | |
| Lakewood | 3 | 4 | .429 | 2.0 | |
| Lake County | 2 | 5 | .286 | 3.0 | |
| West Virginia | 1 | 5 | .167 | 3.5 |
#1 by mjames - April 16th, 2009 at 07:32
Two years ago we had guy playing CF who is currently hitting around 400. Prior to that we had a guy playing CF who is currently hitting 417 with 1 hr and 8 rbi. Last year this guy hit around 300. If you think this is an isolated instance here are some names of guys who use to play for us.
R. Church B. Schneider Bonifacio A. Gallarga (W 2-L 0 era .68) S. Hill Marlon Byrd
These players were all under our control during the Bowden era. I wonder how strong our talent assessment is? The Nats are not deep enough to be losing talent such as the above for little or nothing. When you factor in the how we botched our number 1 picks for the last two years you have to wonder if we have the right people in place.
#2 by Scott - April 16th, 2009 at 08:20
What happened to Jordan Zimmermann? Since the Nats were rained out last night, his debut was pushed back to Monday. If he had started last night, he’d still be on schedule for his 1st start. Why didn’t he start last night?
#3 by Brian Oliver - April 16th, 2009 at 08:26
Scott - He threw a simulated game on Tuesday and remains on track for his major league debut, though due to the rainout, it will now be on Monday against Atlanta
#4 by Natty Fan - April 16th, 2009 at 08:42
With the exception of Gallaraga, I’m not sure the Nats have misjudged any of the guys you listed, mjames. First, the “old” guys:
Church: 30-year-old corner outfielder, not a future building block for the Nats. The Nats have essentially the same player in Josh Willingham. (30 years old, 116 career OPS+)
Schneider: 32-year-old catcher, OPS+ of 72 and 77 his last 2 years with Nats. OPS+ of 87 in only 110 games last year. No longer a good defensive player. He would just be blocking a better, younger catcher if her were still here (and making too much money).
Marlon Byrd – 31 year old corner outfielder. He’s really only had two good seasons. If he were with the Nats, he’d be a fourth outfielder (and not benefitting from the Ballpark at Arlington.)
Now the young guys: Bonifacio – 656 career minor league games - .285/.341/.362. There’s a very small chance Emilio’s suddenly developed the ability to hit at the major league level. More likely, he’s just one of the thousands of early-season flukes. Check back on June 1.
S. Hill – 34 starts in 3 years, and more elbow pain this spring. I agree the Nats were hasty, but I don’t see Hill coming back to haunt them. That arm just won’t hold up.
Gallaraga –119 ERA+ in 178 innings last year. He’s a good pitcher that the Nats sure could use. Bowden probably knew he was good when he included him in the Soriano trade. However, the Nats eventually got Jordan Zimmerman as compensation. This might end up as a wash.
#5 by Berndaddy - April 16th, 2009 at 09:37
What’s up with Balester? I worry about his psyche and general make up after this spring.
#6 by Ronny - April 16th, 2009 at 09:48
Man I guess I was wrong about Will Atwood(thought he was going to be one of our best pitchers), he looks very bad to start the season.
#7 by bdrube - April 16th, 2009 at 10:40
Ugh. The big club is 0-7 and the top 2 minor league squads are a combined 2-9.
Its going to be a LONG season.
#8 by Pilchard - April 16th, 2009 at 10:52
FWIW, Baseball Prospectus does not hold Atwood in very high regard. IIRC, they felt his success at Vermont last year was primarily attributable to his age and maturity playing in a short-season league. They did not regard his stuff as strong enough to play well at higher levels. We shall see.
Also, realize that its ridiculously early to make any conclusions, but the the Nats combined record at AA, AAA and MLB is 2-16. Ouch. Perhaps, there is something to the notion that Nats’ organization lacks talent at the higher levels.
#9 by Jane - April 16th, 2009 at 11:40
Continued success, Seth!
#10 by phil dunn - April 16th, 2009 at 17:29
Based upon early results, it looks like the Rizzo constructed farm system is laying a big egg. It also looks like the recent low rating of the Nats farm system by BA was on the mark.
#11 by phil dunn - April 16th, 2009 at 17:38
It is amazing what a good hitting coach can do with a player. I disagree with the comment about Marlon Byrd being a fourth outfielder if he were on the Nats roster. I saw him play twice at Camden Yards last year and he is not the same hitter he was with the Nats. Rudy Jaramillo–the best hitting coach in the business– has done a wonderful job with Byrd. I believe he is a more consistent and better hitter now than any outfielder on the Nats current roster. I’d take him back in a heartbeat.
#12 by RD exposfan - April 16th, 2009 at 21:45
Good news tonight with the big club winning and 4 of 5 minor games as wins and the 5th is tied at 9. Let’s hope things are turning around. Where is Lastings Milledge? He hasn’t played yet at Syracuse. Does he have a few days before he reports to the minors?