Syracuse’s doubleheader with Pawtucket was postponed by rain, the two teams will try again at 5PM today.
Today: Pawtucket RHP John Smoltz (rehab) $ TBA at Syracuse RHPs Garrett Mock (0-1, 7.31) & Collin Balester (4-5, 3.98) at 5PM
The Senators pounded out eighteen hits in a rain-shortened 16-2 drubbing out the B-Mets (box/gamer). Every Harrisburg starter (including RHSP Erik Arnesen) had at least one hit in the game. 2B Ofilio Castro led the way with four hits & four RBI. LF Marvin Lowrance was 1/5 with a three-run homer & two runs scored; RF Jemel Spearman was 2/6 with a two-run homer and two runs scored; 1B Bill Rhinehart was 2/5 with two RBI & three runs scored; SS Ian Desmond was 3/5 with a run scored; and CF Edgardo Baez & DH Matt Whitney each had two hits & two runs scored. Arnesen was the beneficiary of all of this offense, moving to 3-2 on the season. He allowed just one run on eight hits over six innings while striking out six.
Today: Harrisburg RHP Carlos Martinez (1-1, 2.50) at Reading RHP Mike Stutes (4-1, 4.37) at 7:05PM
A strong start by RHP Jeff Mandel was wasted as the P-Nats could muster only two hits in a 2-1 loss to Winston-Salem (box/gamer). Mandel allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out three. RHRP Kip Wells made another rehab appearance working two perfect innings. The only hits by the P-Nats were a double by 3B Stephen King and a single by CF Boomer Whiting.
Today: Potomac LHP Will Atwood (1-5, 6.39) & TBA at Frederick RHP Pedro Beato (4-4, 4.35) & LHP Chris Salberg (1-3, 7.39) at 5PM
Hagerstown lost 3-1 in a fog-shortened six-inning game in Lakewood (box/gamer). CA Derek Norris was 2/4 with a solo homer & stolen base and CF Chris Curran was 2/3 with a stolen base for the Suns. RHP Paul Demny took the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings while striking out five.
Today: Delmarva LHP Nathan Moreau (1-1, 5.91) at Hagerstown RHP Marcos Frias (4-1, 2.31) at 7:05PM
The DSL Nationals fell 8-7 to the DSL Cubs1 (box). 21-year old RHP Manuel Rivera started for the DSL Nats, allowing a run on three hits and four walks over four innings while striking out three. 17-year old 3B Estarlin Martinez was 2/3 with two runs & one RBI; 20-year old CA Anderson Bocio was 2/4 with a double, triple & three RBI; and 20-year old LF Aridio Rodriguez was 1/4 with a triple & two RBI.
Today: DSL Nationals at DSL Orioles at 10:30AM
Note … the Vermont Lake Monsters begin their season next Friday (6/19) and the GCL Nationals begin their season on 6/24, I’d expect to see rosters some time early next week.
#1 by John - June 12th, 2009 at 08:00
Brian: We haven’t seen Bill Pena or Greg Baez yet(Unless I missed it). Could they be at extended?
Bryan Harper didn’t have a great season for Cal St.-Northridge. Still, I expect he’ll be drafted by the Nats if they take Bryce.
#2 by Brian Oliver - June 12th, 2009 at 08:07
John – Possibly on Pena/Baez … I’ve been so draft-focused, I need to take a step back (and a breath) and figure out who is where
Taking both Harpers seems likely (a la the Rays and the Beckhams in 2008)
#3 by John - June 12th, 2009 at 08:09
LOL is the another Beckham? You mean Tim and Gordon aren’t brothers? :)
#4 by Eric - June 12th, 2009 at 08:19
Brian,
After a horrid start, Bill Rhinehart has really turned his season around. Does he get a shot with the big club if Nick gets dealt, and he keeps hitting?
#5 by Brian Oliver - June 12th, 2009 at 08:21
Eric – I doubt it. My guess is that the roster spot would go to Ryan Langerhans or Brad Eldred.
#6 by Dick - June 12th, 2009 at 09:16
Am I about right in noting that Marrero has hardly gotten a hit since being named player of the week?
#7 by Steven J. Berke - June 12th, 2009 at 09:36
I’d also note that Ian Desmond, coming back this week after six weeks out with a wrist injury, has picked up right where he left off, going 5-for-18 since his return. After suffering for so long from Frank Robinson’s crush on him back in 2005, he could be in the mix for the Nats shortstop/second baseman of the future.
#8 by Eric - June 12th, 2009 at 09:57
I am also concerned about Marrero. I have a gut feeling he is hurt or something… He was given an off day on Tuesday, after the P-Nats already had Monday off. Then was put lower in the order (6th) which I would understand considering his slump… but not below Burgess who has a terrible BA. I’ve got to believe he has a minor injury that he is “playing through” but is effecting his performance.
#9 by Sue Dinem - June 12th, 2009 at 10:37
Marrero has hit a wall, but the drop to 6th in order says more about Rooney than Chris. After his average bottomed out at .154 on May 5th, Sean has since hit .382 with 11 doubles, 2 HR and 13RBI while drawing 11 walks (That’s a .573 SLG and ~.445 OBP)
As posted previously, it appears that the league has adjusted to Marrero, who hasn’t adjusted back. He is especially struggling against RHPs (.220/.271/.333 vs .365/.420/.581) and defensively is still looking like a converted high-schooler.
#10 by souldrummer - June 12th, 2009 at 10:40
I’m interested in folks thoughts on the catcher situation. It seems that Norris really warrants a promotion. The man is eating up low A Hagerstown. But don’t they have some other solid catcher prospects above him in Potomac and elsewhere?
Seeing Desmond and Alberto Gonzalez on the big club perform so well as of late has me thinking all the more about how Christian Guzman can be tradable if he continues to hit.
#11 by Dave - June 12th, 2009 at 11:47
I’ve got a soft spot for Mandel since he pitched in the only P-Nats game I’ve been too, but he really does seem to be consistently strong start after start – what are the chances he gets bumped to Harrisburg this year?
#12 by Brian Oliver - June 12th, 2009 at 11:48
I’m figuring there will be some promotions after the All-Star games. Let the guys enjoy the honor.
#13 by Mark - June 12th, 2009 at 16:50
I saw the Rhinehart numbers, too. I’ve come to realize that “dolla” Bill is a very streaky hitter, and goes in long waves of ups and downs. He never stays up or down for too long. Plus, even though 6′ tall is tall for a guy like me (and would LOVE to be that tall) he is probably considered short, and not the best 1st base option. The only way he will ever get promoted is thru a series of unlikely events with the Nats & Chiefs AND he maintains .350 100+ RBI’s for an entire season with .985+ fielding percentage. He hasn’t done that yet. As big a fan I have been, I suspect he’s reached his limit at AA ball (I hope I’m wrong). I won’t shoot him down yet… but I have my suspecisions.
#14 by Rich - June 13th, 2009 at 10:34
Anyone know why Ballester didn’t start in either game on Friday? I was looking up his results since he had been doing pretty well recently and it looks like Mock and Martin started instead. And it looks like Jorge Sosa is starting today. What happened?
#15 by Danny - June 14th, 2009 at 14:56
Graham pitched the second game of a double hitter last night, Sat. the 13th. in Hagerstown. He pitched 5 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 walks and struck out 6. The 3 runs were scored off 2 hr but he left the 5th with a 1 run lead. We won the game 5-4.