The Chiefs jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and held on for a 6-3 win over Indianapolis on Monday morning (box/gamer). The decisive blow was a fourth inning three-run home run by Corey Patterson (1/4) who came into the game to replace Lastings Milledge. Milledge left the game in the first inning after breaking his right ring finger on a bunt attempt. 1B Brad Eldred was 2/4 with a double and RBI. CF/LF Justin Maxwell was 0/1 with a run scored, but walked three times and stole two bases, his seventh and eighth of the season. 2B Seth Bynum was 1/3 with a walk and a run scored. RHP J.D. Martin moved to 3-1 on the season allowing just a solo home run in his six innings of work. Martin faced only nineteen hitters in his six innings of work, striking out five.
Tonight: Norfolk RHP Chris Tillman (3-0, 2.52) at Syracuse RHP Collin Balester (1-4, 4.94) at 7PM
| INT North | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton/WB | 23 | 8 | 0.742 | - |
| Pawtucket | 18 | 12 | 0.600 | 4.5 |
| Rochester | 16 | 13 | 0.552 | 6.0 |
| Syracuse | 16 | 13 | 0.552 | 6.0 |
| Lehigh Valley | 14 | 16 | 0.467 | 8.5 |
| Buffalo | 7 | 22 | 0.241 | 15.0 |
Harrisburg was blanked by Altoona 5-0 despite a solid outing by LHP Ross Detwiler (box/gamer). Detwiler turned in his second straight strong outing, giving up one run on three hits over five innings but more importantly, striking out nine and not walking a batter. In his two May starts, Detwiler has struck out sixteen and walked only one over ten innings of work (two starts). He’s held opponents to one earned run on seven hits. LHP Jack Spradlin took the loss, getting knocked around for four runs on four hits and a walk over two innings of relief. The Senators managed only seven singles of offense, led by CA Luke Montz and SS Freddie Bynum with two each. Note: RHP Luis Atilano was placed on the DL opening a spot for RHP Erik Arnesen who was promoted from Potomac.
Tonight: Altoona RHP Mike Crotta (2-0, 4.44) at Harrisburg LHP Cory VanAllen (0-2, 7.71) at 7PM
| EAS Southern | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 22 | 6 | 0.786 | - |
| Erie | 19 | 10 | 0.655 | 3.5 |
| Reading | 17 | 11 | 0.607 | 5.0 |
| Bowie | 12 | 16 | 0.429 | 10.0 |
| Altoona | 9 | 20 | 0.310 | 13.5 |
| Harrisburg | 6 | 22 | 0.214 | 16.0 |
Potomac was off on Monday. Still no announcement who will replace Arnesen on the P-Nats roster.
Today: Salem RHP Eammon Portice (1-3, 4.55) at Potomac LHP Will Atwood (0-3, 9.00) at 11AM
| CAR Northern | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac | 19 | 11 | 0.633 | - |
| Lynchburg | 19 | 11 | 0.633 | - |
| Wilmington | 13 | 17 | 0.433 | 6.0 |
| Frederick | 12 | 18 | 0.400 | 7.0 |
RF Michael Guerrero’s (1/4) two-run single in the fourth put the Suns ahead to stay in a 7-2 win over West Virginia (box/gamer). 1B Tyler Moore was 1/3 with a walk and a three-run home run. Moore, a 2008 16th round draft pick out of Mississippi State, has six RBI in his first five games for Hagerstown. CA Derek Norris was 2/3 with a double and one RBI; he now has a Sally League leading 24 RBI this season. LF Robby Jacobsen was 1/3 with a run scored; over his last ten games, Jacobsen is batting 0.361 with four RBI and seven runs scored. 3B Steven Souza was 1/3 with a run scored and is batting 394/429/576 in 10 games this May. LHP Jack McGeary made the start for the Suns, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over four innings work while striking out five. This season, McGeary has walked 21 and struck out 24 over 28 2/3 innings. LHP Austin Garrett picked up the win in relief with three two-hit shutout innings, striking out three.
Today: West Virginia RHP Duke Welker (0-3, 4.71) at Hagerstown RHP Terrence Engles (2-1, 4.05) at 10:35AM
| SAL Northern | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva | 17 | 11 | 0.607 | - |
| Lakewood | 17 | 13 | 0.567 | 1.0 |
| Greensboro | 17 | 14 | 0.548 | 1.5 |
| Hickory | 16 | 15 | 0.516 | 2.5 |
| Kannapolis | 16 | 15 | 0.516 | 2.5 |
| Lake County | 14 | 16 | 0.467 | 4.0 |
| Hagerstown | 13 | 15 | 0.464 | 4.0 |
| West Virginia | 9 | 22 | 0.290 | 9.5 |
#1 by MiLB Fan - May 12th, 2009 at 07:57
Go Detwiler! For a good understanding of Detwiler’s season, I suggest readers examine the local paper website’s sports section (http://www.pennlive.com/senators/) as well as their blog (http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/harrisburg_senators/) for a real understanding of how little fielding support he has recieved. The articles about Detwiler’s games describe the “official” errors as well as the “un-official” errors - those plays where errors occurred but the official scorer saw it differently. Detwiler is doing great.
#2 by Eric - May 12th, 2009 at 08:23
Brian,
What is the deal with JD Martin? He seemed to have a good year last year, although it appears he was a reliever for part of the year.
At what point do you think the Nats bring in someone from AAA to take Cabrera and / or Olsen’s rotation spot?
#3 by Brian Oliver - May 12th, 2009 at 08:30
Martin had Tommy John surgery back in 2005. He has worked his way back over time. At this point, he might be a viable #5 SP option.
As for replacing Cabrera or Olsen, I understand what people are thinking but aside from a different face I’d be surprised if Stammen or Martin were significantly better options.
#4 by Marc - May 12th, 2009 at 09:19
I know this is sort of sacrilege around the Nats chat boards, but I really don’t think Olsen has been THAT bad. He’s not good, certainly, but as a #5 guy, he’s been ok-ish, outside of that one eight-runs-in-three-innings debacle. I’m not sure there’d be any improvement from him to AAA-guy-du-jour.
Cabrera, however - I’d be willing to watch a Mike Bacsik/Levale Speigner composite before another Cabrera start.
#5 by cjrugger - May 12th, 2009 at 09:46
Glad to see Detwiler coming along, we were pretty tough on him combined with the unrealistic expectations set by JimBo. Hes still only 23
Re olsen and cabrera: The team has a lot invested in those guys. I dont want to go back through all their starts but if WIllingham catches the most average fly ball Ive ever seen then Cabrerea is thru 5 down 3-2. They signed him to a low risk 1year deal, theyre not gonna blow it up after 7 starts
Olsen is 25 (younger than Martin, 2 mos older than Stammen), lefthanded, and has worlds more ability. Hes gonna get 20 starts this year
#6 by MiLB Fan - May 12th, 2009 at 09:47
For those who care - last night Logan Kensing pitched 0.1 innings, and gave up 2 earned runs for an overall ERA of 13.14. Kyle Gunderson, the player we gave up in the trade, pitched another scoreless (and also hitless) inning. Over 6 innings, Gunderson has given up 3 hits, struck out 5, and has yet to give up a run. I know you cannot compare majors to minors (especially high A) BUT, clearly another team saw something our folks didn’t…again.
#7 by VladiHondo - May 12th, 2009 at 09:50
The problem with Olson is he is not our #5 guy. JZimmy is, who was barely beaten out for #4 by Martis. Olson was our #2 guy and hasn’t come close to that billing.
I think the biggest reason to replace Cabrera is not that anyone would be more “effective” stat-wise, but anyone else would certainly work quicker and thus, keep their defense on their toes better. DCab is giving up ALOT of unearned runs, gotta believe his slow pace works to the detriment of his fielders. It’s just easier to stay sharp if the pitcher works quick AND throws strikes.
#8 by Pilchard - May 12th, 2009 at 10:22
Any idea why Detwiler was pulled after 5 innings last night? They don’t have a pitch count in the box score, but he had not walked a batter (awesome), and had only faced 19 batters through 5 innings. Would guess that he only thrown about 70 pitches through 5 innings.
FWIW, could care less that Detwiler is 0-3. Very excited that he is showing greatly improved control while also racking up the Ks. Those are very strong indicators that he has finally made a leap.
OTOH, concerned about McGeary’s control (realize that his professional experience is limited at this point) as 21 walks in 28 innings is unacceptable.
#9 by cjrugger - May 12th, 2009 at 10:46
Vladi- I agree with you to a point, but the fielders get paid too, no excuse for WIllingham last night. They knew he worked slow and doesnt have good control coming in, no one should be surprised
#10 by Dick - May 12th, 2009 at 10:54
Here’s how bad Olsen has been. He has an ERA of 7.00, WHIP of 1.86, has allowed an OPS of .973. Zim OPS is only 1.038! So the league average hitter against Olsen hits almost as well as Zim!
Taking out his first start when he allowed 8 runs in 3 innings, Olsen has an ERA of 5.45 and a WHIP of 1.70. In his two May starts, his WHIP is 2.25 and ERA is 9.64 so it is hard to argue he is getting better. Needless to say, these numbers are worse than his career totals which show a 1.48 WHIP.
I reach several conclusions: 1) he has never been a world beater, 2) he is probably lucky to have won as much as he has in his career, and 3) he’s probably hurt.
Notwithstanding his history of durability, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him shut down soon unless he is able to bounce back dramatically. His loss of velocity and utter inability to command his fastball scream “I’m hurting here”! The desire for Stammen or Martin may resolve itself with regard to Olsen.
Cabrera appears to be completely broken. He acts like he won’t tolerate being publicly humiliated much longer.
#11 by Rocket Surgeon - May 12th, 2009 at 11:01
Pilchard, according to a fellow pitcher on the H-Sens, Detwiler was pulled due to pitch count (86).
#12 by Mark - May 12th, 2009 at 11:05
We should hold onto Olsen for the remainder of the year, but put him on 15 day DL and Stammen in there (and it’s not b/c I’m a fellow Flyer!). I’m not certain Stammen will do any better, but Olsen needs a rest, and Stammen deserves a little reward for his performance so far.
#13 by bdrube - May 12th, 2009 at 11:17
Stammen should replace Cabrera immdiately. Even if he’s not much of an improvement, he’s a young guy who may prove he has a lot of upside.
But if both Cabrera and Olsen are gone from the rotation by June, the Nats are in serious trouble. How are they going to make it through 130 more games with four rookies and a second year guy in their rotation and a flammable bullpen?
Even with that great offense they might lose 110. Ugh!
#14 by Pilchard - May 12th, 2009 at 11:38
Thanks Rocket Surgeon. Surprised he threw that many pitches only facing 19 batters with no BBs.
#15 by cjrugger - May 12th, 2009 at 13:50
Well he had 9 strikeouts, thats probably 45 pitches, and leaves 10 other batters
#16 by Pilchard - May 12th, 2009 at 16:33
10 other batters with no walks. Surprising that it took 41 pitches to face 10 batters of whom put the ball in play.
#17 by Redman - May 12th, 2009 at 17:30
75 pitches last night, 86 in the previous start from a reliable source.