The Nationals had their second Blogger Day at Nationals Park. We had the opportunity to talk with interim manager Jim Riggleman; Game Entertainment Staff Tom David, Dave Lundin & Jacqueline Coleman; a Q&A with players Collin Balester, Garrett Mock and Josh Willingham; a Washington Nationals Dream Foundation briefing by Chair Marla Lerner Tanenbaum; Assistant Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba (my favorite part); and nearly a half hour with Team President Stan Kasten and GM Mike Rizzo. Bob Cohn of the Washington Times documented the day. I have some notes at home from discussions with Scialabba that I will get transcribed this evening. Both Kasten and Scialabba raved about the group they were sending to this year’s Arizona Fall League but would not share any names yet.
Syracuse
- Friday – Split doubleheader, losing game one 7-2 (box) and winning game two 2-1 (box/gamer). RHP Andrew Kown allowed three runs on seven hits over 4IP with two strikeouts. RHP Zech Zinicola gave up four runs on four hits in just one inning. 1B Daryle Ward was 1/3 with a solo homer; SS Ian Desmond was 2/3; CF Justin Maxwell was 1/3; LF Norris Hopper was 1/3 with a run scored; and RF Kory Casto was 1/2 with a double & RBI. In the second game, four relievers combined on an eight-hitter for the Chiefs win. LHP Jack Spradlin gave up a run on four hits over 3IP; RHP Clint Everts picked up the win allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two over two scoreless innings; RHP Josh Wilkie gave up two hits and struck out two over 1 2/3IP; and RHP Zack Segovia picked up the save, striking out the final batter. Desmond was 1/2 with a double; SS/3B Pete Orr was 1/3 with a double & RBI; Maxwell was 1/3; and 3B Marco Yepez was 1/1 with a double & run scored.
- Saturday – Lost to Durham 9-2 (box/gamer). RHP Shairon Martis was battered for seven runs (six earned) on eleven hits and three walks over 5IP with three strikeouts. LHP Yunior Novoa gave up two runs on two hits & three walks over 2IP with two strikeouts. Zinicola pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and walk while striking out two. Orr was 3/4 with two doubles; 2B Seth Bynum was 3/4 with a run scored; Maxwell was 2/4; and Desmond was 2/4 with one RBI.
- Sunday – Defeated Durham 3-2 (box/gamer). Molina (1/3) drove in Maxwell (0/3 with SB #33) with the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Hopper was 2/5 with one RBI; DH Brad Eldred was 2/4 with a solo homer; Bynum was 1/4 with a run scored; and Desmond was 1/2 with a walk.
- Notes – RHP Andrew Kown was placed on the DL and OF Mike Vento was activated from the DL
- Today – Durham RHP Andy Sonnanstine (4-3, 4.68) at Syracuse LHP Ross Detwiler (2-2, 3.41) 7PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton/WB | 71 | 54 | 0.568 | - | - |
| Syracuse | 69 | 59 | 0.539 | 3.5 | 15 |
| Rochester | 63 | 65 | 0.492 | 9.5 | 9 |
| Lehigh Valley | 62 | 66 | 0.484 | 10.5 | 8 |
| Pawtucket | 53 | 74 | 0.417 | 19.0 | E |
| Buffalo | 50 | 77 | 0.394 | 22.0 | E |
Wild Card
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | 71 | 58 | 0.550 | - | - |
| Syracuse | 69 | 59 | 0.539 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Norfolk | 66 | 61 | 0.520 | 4.0 | 11 |
| Toledo | 67 | 62 | 0.519 | 4.0 | 12 |
| Rochester | 63 | 65 | 0.492 | 7.5 | 9 |
| Indianapolis | 62 | 66 | 0.484 | 8.5 | 7 |
| Lehigh Valley | 62 | 66 | 0.484 | 8.5 | 8 |
| Charlotte | 59 | 69 | 0.461 | 11.5 | 4 |
| Pawtucket | 53 | 74 | 0.417 | 17.0 | E |
| Columbus | 52 | 75 | 0.409 | 18.0 | E |
| Buffalo | 50 | 77 | 0.394 | 20.0 | E |
Harrisburg
- Friday – Game postponed by rain
- Saturday – Swept doubleheader at Portland, winning game one 5-4 (box) and game two 3-1 (box/gamer). LHP Matt Chico surrendered four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over 4 1/3IP while striking out seven. LHP Atahualpa Severino picked up the win, giving up one hit & three walks over 1 2/3IP with two strikeouts. And, RHP Drew Storen earned his fifth save in as many opportunities, walking one and striking out one in one inning of work. 1B Chris Marrero was 2/3 with two doubles & a run scored; RF Francisco Plasencia was 2/3 with a triple, run & RBI; 2B Leonard Davis was 1/2 with two walks & a run scored; and DH Ricardo Nanita was 1/2 with double & two runs. In the second game, RHP Bradley Meyers threw a seven-inning complete game, holding Portland to one run on four hits while striking out six. Marrero was 3/3 with a run scored; LF Bill Rhinehart was 1/3 with a two-run homer; CF Mike Daniel was 1/3 with one RBI; and CA Luke Montz was 1/2 with a run scored.
- Sunday – Lost 3-2 to Portland in eleven innings (box/gamer). LHP Aaron Thompson struck out eleven over 6IP allowing a run on five hits and a walk. Daniel was 2/5 with a double, stolen base & run scored; Davis was 1/4 with a double; 3B Matt Whitney was 2/4 with a double, stolen base & run scored; and Marrero was 0/4 with one RBI.
- Notes: Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News highlights the number of former Senators on the current Syracuse roster.
- Today – Harrisburg RHP Erik Arnesen (7-5, 3.62) at Portland LHP Kris Johnson (NR) 7PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 77 | 49 | 0.611 | - | - |
| Reading | 67 | 59 | 0.532 | 10 | - |
| Erie | 66 | 59 | 0.528 | 10.5 | 16 |
| Bowie | 64 | 61 | 0.512 | 12.5 | 15 |
| Harrisburg | 60 | 65 | 0.48 | 16.5 | 11 |
| Altoona | 54 | 73 | 0.425 | 23.5 | 3 |
Potomac
- Friday – Defeated Salem 11-0 (box/gamer). The P-Nats broke out the lumber, hitting five homers (three in the first inning). DH Jesus Valdez was 3/5 with two homers & four RBI; 2B Michael Martinez was 2/3 with a homer & two RBI; CA Brian Peacock was 1/4 with a three run homer; SS Danny Espinosa was 2/4 with a solo homer; RF Michael Burgess was 2/4 with a double & run scored; 1B/3B Tim Pahuta was 2/4 with a run & RBI; and CF Boomer Whiting was 2/4 with a run scored. LHP Will Atwood made the start, picking up the win allowing four hits and a walk over 5IP with four strikeouts. RHP Justin Phillabaum pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
- Saturday – Postponed by rain
- Sunday – Potomac dropped game one to Salem 3-1 (box) and blasted Salem 14-2 in game two (box/gamer). RHP Adam Carr allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over 5 2/3IP with two strikeouts. Valdez was 2/3 with a double & RBI and Martinez was 1/3 with a run scored. RHP Trevor Holder picked up the win in the second game, allowingjust two hits and two walks over 5IP while striking out two. LHP Ricardo Pecina gave up a hit and two walks in his 2/3 of an inning. Espinosa was 1/4 with a two-run homer & three runs scored; Martinez was 2/4 with a run & RBI; Burgess was 0/3 with a run & RBI; DH Devin Ivany was 1/1 with a three-run homer, four total RBI & two runs scored; Peacock was 2/4 with a double & run scored; 3B Greg Veloz was 3/3 with a double, RBI & three runs scored; and Whiting was 2/4 with a double, RBI & two runs scored.
- Notes – Potomac News feature on Tim Pahuta; reports are that 3B Stephen King will be activated from the DL
- Today – Potomac LHP Tom Milone (10-4, 3.08) at Myrtle Beach 7:05PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 35 | 20 | 0.636 | - | - |
| Potomac | 34 | 22 | 0.607 | 1.5 | 14 |
| Frederick | 26 | 30 | 0.464 | 9.5 | 6 |
| Lynchburg (won 1st half) | 24 | 32 | 0.429 | 11.5 | 4 |
Hagerstown
- Friday – Lost to Lakewood 3-2 (box). RHP A.J. Morris struck out eight over 5IP while allowing a run on five hits and one walk. LF/1B Robby Jacobsen was 2/5 with a run scored; 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 2/3 with two walks & a stolen base; CA Derek Norris was 1/2 with three walks & a run scored; 1B Tyler Moore was 2/3 with one RBI; and RF Charlie Fermaint was 1/4 with one RBI.
- Saturday – Postponed by rain.
- Sunday – Split a doubleheader with Delmarva losing game one 2-1 (box) and winning game two 2-1 (box/gamer). In the first game, RHP Pat Lehman allowed just two hits over six shutout innings with four strikeouts but did not factor in the decision. RHP Patrick Arnold took the loss, giving up a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. LF Valerio Heredia was 1/3 with two stolen bases; Norris was 0/3; Moore was 0/2 with a run; and Jacobsen was 3/3 with a double & triple. In the second game, RHP Paul Demny gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 5IP with four strikeouts. Four Suns relievers combined on four scoreless innings of relief with LHP Kevin Light picking up the win and RHP Chris Lugo the save. Norris was 3/3 with a double, two walks & two RBI; Moore was 1/2 with three walks; and 2B Nick Arata was 1/2 with two runs scored.
- Today – Hagerstown RHP Juan Jaime (2-0, 2.00) at Delmarva 7:05PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannapolis | 37 | 18 | 0.673 | - | - |
| West Virginia | 30 | 22 | 0.577 | 5.5 | 9 |
| Lake County | 30 | 24 | 0.556 | 6.5 | 10 |
| Lakewood (won 1st half) | 27 | 25 | 0.519 | 8.5 | 7 |
| Delmarva | 26 | 27 | 0.491 | 10 | 5 |
| Hickory | 25 | 30 | 0.455 | 12 | 4 |
| Greensboro | 20 | 35 | 0.364 | 17 | E |
| Hagerstown | 18 | 35 | 0.34 | 18 | E |
Vermont
- Friday – Lost to Tri-City 3-2 (box/gamer) [game two was postponed by rain].LHP Mitchell Clegg took the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits over 5IP. 3B Jack Walker was 2/3; RF Destin Hood was 1/2 with one RBI; SS Sean Nicol was 1/2 with one RBI; and CA Dan Killian was 1/3.
- Saturday – Postponed by rain
- Sunday – Defeated Tri-City 3-0 in game one (box/gamer). RHP Matt Swynenberg allowed just one hit and three walks over 5IP with two strikeouts to pick up the win. LHP Evan Bronson threw two scoreless innings of relief, walking and striking out one to pick up the save. CA Sandy Leon was 2/2 with a double, homer & two RBI; Hood was 1/3 with a double & RBI; and LF Justin Bloxom was 1/2 with a run scored. Game two was suspended by rain with the Monsters leading 3-0; it will be resumed on 9/2.
- Today – Vermont LHP Jack McGeary (0-0, 3.88) at Brooklyn 7PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell | 35 | 26 | 0.574 | - | - |
| Oneonta | 32 | 27 | 0.542 | 2 | 14 |
| Vermont | 28 | 33 | 0.459 | 7 | 9 |
| Tri-City | 21 | 38 | 0.356 | 13 | 3 |
GCL Nationals
- Friday – Swept doubleheader from GCL Marlins 6-2 (box) and 3-2 (box). LHP Graham Hicks gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three. RHP Ruben De La Rosa picked up the save, striking out one over 1IP. CF Eury Perez was 2/4 with one run scored; a rehabbing 3B Stephen King was 1/2 with a double & two runs scored; CA Adrian Nieto was 1/4 with one RBI; SS Roberto Perez was 1/4 with one RBI; and LF Naoya Washiya was 1/3 with a run scored. In the second game, LHP Bobby Hansen allowed two unearned runs on four walks over 3 2/3IP. RHP Wilson Eusebio picked up the win in relief, giving up two hits & one walk over two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Washiya was 3/4 with two stolen bases, arun & RBI; Perez was 1/3 with a stolen base & run scored; 2B Justino Cuevas was 2/3 with two RBI; Perez was 0/3; Nieto was 0/4; and 3B Adrian Sanchez was 2/2 with a run scored.
- Saturday – No game scheduled
- Sunday – Postponed by rain
- Today – GCL Nationals at GCL Astros 12PM
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB | *ELIM # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCL Marlins | 34 | 16 | 0.680 | - | - |
| GCL Nationals | 31 | 17 | 0.646 | 2 | 6 |
| GCL Cardinals | 22 | 27 | 0.449 | 11.5 | E |
| GCL Mets | 20 | 30 | 0.400 | 14 | E |
| GCL Astros | 16 | 33 | 0.327 | 17.5 | E |
DSL Nationals
- Friday – Lost to DSL Twins 5-3 (box). CF Alejandro Hodge was 3/5 with a double & run scored; 3B Paul Chacin was 2/3 with a double; RF Jose Norberto was 1/5 with a run scored; and SS Carlos Alvarez was 1/4 with a double. RHP Manuel Rivera allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over 4IP. RHP Danubio Gonzalez gave up a run on four hits and a walk over 4IP with four strikeouts. This was the final game of the DSL Nats season
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSL Yankees2 | 47 | 23 | 0.671 | - |
| DSL Twins | 46 | 23 | 0.667 | 0.5 |
| DSL White Sox | 42 | 28 | 0.600 | 5 |
| DSL Tigers | 37 | 31 | 0.544 | 9 |
| DSL Diamondbacks | 36 | 33 | 0.522 | 10.5 |
| DSL Cubs1 | 36 | 34 | 0.514 | 11 |
| DSL Rockies | 36 | 35 | 0.507 | 11.5 |
| DSL Indians | 32 | 39 | 0.451 | 15.5 |
| DSL Reds | 29 | 41 | 0.414 | 18 |
| DSL Nationals | 29 | 42 | 0.408 | 18.5 |
| DSL Orioles | 26 | 45 | 0.366 | 21.5 |
| DSL Padres | 24 | 46 | 0.343 | 23 |
#1 by Gusto - August 24th, 2009 at 08:15
Brian, the new format for Across the Affiliates is AWESOME!
#2 by tbyrom - August 24th, 2009 at 08:37
Brian and all..
I didn’t get a game story written yesterday as I had to get back to the hotel and get outside for a run (my wife has convinced me to run a half-marathon in a couple of weeks) but…
Of the 11 batters Aaron Thompson struck out, eight of them were consecutive.
Portland put the first two runners on base in the third inning, batters eight and nine in the order and then he proceeded to strike out the side with two on and no outs. In the fourth, he struck out hitters four, five, and six. In the fifth, he struck out batters seven and eight before walking and then picking off the ninth batter.
#3 by Brian Oliver - August 24th, 2009 at 08:39
Terry
Thanks for the in-person details.
#4 by Chris - August 24th, 2009 at 08:43
Maybe Rizzo knew what he was doing with this Aaron Thompson cat…
Que the Chris is Rizzo’s BFF comments…
:)
#5 by Positively Half St. - August 24th, 2009 at 08:58
I don’t know if I missed a discussion yet of likely September call-ups, but do you think Marrero might be given a taste, seeing how he is tearing up AA?
#6 by Brian Oliver - August 24th, 2009 at 09:01
PHS – I doubt it. Mark Scialabba mentioned yesterday that they would not bring their prospects up just to give them a cup of coffee. It doesn’t make sense to add Marrero to the 40-man until he’s ready to go. When asked directly about Marrero and 2010, Scialabba was cautious and said while it was not out of the question, it was also not a certainty.
#7 by markfd - August 24th, 2009 at 09:52
Brian – any insight/predictions on Sept. callups? Do you think we will see more callups than in past years or will the Nats be conservative and bring up only a couple of guys?
#8 by Brian Oliver - August 24th, 2009 at 09:54
My guess is we may see a few more than normal because many of the younger arms are reaching innings requirements, necessitating some SPs from the minors
#9 by Mark L - August 24th, 2009 at 09:59
Brian, Congratulations on the piece about you in the Wash. Times. Good piece, chuckled at the mention that you actually have a life other than NFA. I disagree with the fact that you’re not revered.
#10 by Brian Oliver - August 24th, 2009 at 10:00
The revered comment made Mrs. NFA chuckle
#11 by markfd - August 24th, 2009 at 10:11
Brian – Thanks. I echo Mark L.’s kudos, NFA is informative unlike many of the others mentioned by the Post and the Times.
#12 by Berndaddy - August 24th, 2009 at 10:56
Brian I wasn’t able to read anything this weekend. So I haven’t read the Times article, but I have to say that my life as a fan of the Nats has been made 100% better because of this website. Your insight is gold, dude. I can’t imagine how you’ve had the time to do all this, but please know that it’s appreciated.
#13 by Nick - August 24th, 2009 at 11:00
Thanks Brian for everything that you are doing. This site is truly unbelievable – an invaluable resource, especially for someone who is trying to follow the teams’ farm system from up in Montreal. Congrats!
#14 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - August 24th, 2009 at 11:19
Just to add my agreement with all of the above on your good work Brian! Look forward to your notes on the talk with Scialabba.
#15 by natsfan07 - August 24th, 2009 at 11:26
Brian- great work! The article in the post was proof of this…nice! In regards to what you heard this weekend… did they mention anything specific about who may be called up in Sept? I’d love to see a few of these guys get up there… they mention anything about Segovia? Wilkie? Novoa? Everts?
#16 by Rocket Surgeon - August 24th, 2009 at 11:34
Brian,
Congrats on the nice article in the Washington Tomes. I know what you do is for the love of the game, but it’s still nice to hear some compliments once in a while. For fans interested in the future of the Nats and all their young players, NFA is the #1 resource.
#17 by Dick - August 24th, 2009 at 12:20
By my reckoning, the following are on the 40-man roster and could be called up in September with no problems: Atilano, Chico, Detwiler, Estrada, Martis, Desmond, Maxwell and Montz. Presumably a couple of more slots could be opened up by moving Dmitri to the 60-day DL (or releasing him) and moving Mattheus to the 60-day DL.
#18 by pm - August 24th, 2009 at 12:37
Brian, is there a chance that Brad Meyers gets promoted? What level do you see him starting at next season? Could he be in Washington in the middle of next season?
#19 by Brian Oliver - August 24th, 2009 at 12:39
Roster call up post is up.
Don’t think Meyers gets a call in 2009 but he seems a good choice for mid-2010
#20 by ckstevenson - August 24th, 2009 at 15:36
I was at the first P-Nats game, and there was ZERO indication a run explosion was forthcoming in the second game.
The highlight of the first game was the dog parade before the game, and a couple in front of us singing Margaritaville. The absolute worst singing performance of all time, no question.
Carr also has one of the worst pictures I’ve ever seen for a player. Horrific.
The player entrance music was much better than I was expecting.