Syracuse
- Friday – Defeated Pawtucket 7-3 (box). LHP Ross Detwiler allowed two runs on six hits and four walks over 5IP with one strikeout. RHP Clint Everts gave up a run on two hits & two walks over 1 1/3IP. RHP Zack Segovia pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief striking out two. CF Mike Daniel was 0/4 with one stolen base; LF Leonard Davis was 2/4 with two solo homers; 3B Kory Casto was 2/5 with a solo homer; 2B Seth Bynum was 1/5 with a three-run homer; and DH Daryle Ward was 3/3 with a run & RBI.
- Saturday – Lost 8-2 to Pawtucket (box). RHP Andrew Kown allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks over 6IP with three strikeouts and RHP Zech Zinicola gave up three runs on four hits and three walks over 2IP. Ward was 3/4 with a two-run homer; SS Ian Desmond was 2/4; Davis was 1/4; Daniel was 1/5; Bynum was 1/3 with a stolen base; and RF Norris Hopper was 1/5 with a run scored.
- Sunday – Swept by Pawtucket in a doubleheader, losing game one 12-5 (box) and game two 10-2 (box). In the first game, LHP Jack Spradlin made the spot start, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over 4IP; RHP Josh Wilkie allowed two runs on three hits & one walk over 1IP; and Zinicola surrendered four runs on six hits over 1IP. Desmond was 2/3; Ward was 2/4 with one run; DH Brad Eldred was 1/3 with a double, two runs & two RBI; Casto was 1/3 with one RBI; Bynum was 1/4 with one RBI; Davis was 1/4 with a run scored; and CA Jhonathan Solano was 2/3 with two doubles, a run & RBI. LHP Horacio Ramirez gave up six runs on six hits and a walk over 3 1/3IP. Casto & Eldred spelled the pen over the final three innings with Casto surrendering four runs on four hits & four walks. Daniel was 1/4; Ward was 1/3; Eldred was 1/3 with a double & run scored; Davis was 1/3 with one RBI; 3B Matt Whitney 2/3 with a solo homer; and Desmond was 1/3.
- Today – Pawtucket RHP Enrique Gonzalez (8-11, 5.26) at Syracuse RHP Shairon Martis (4-4, 5.00) 2PM
Harrisburg
- Friday – Defeated Bowie 7-3 (box/gamer). LHP Aaron Thompson allowed a run on two hits & three walks over 4IP with three strikeouts; RHP Adrian Alaniz picked up the win, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over 3IP and RHP Jesse Estrada pitched the final two scoreless innings of relief. SS Jemel Spearman was 2/5 with a double, run & RBI; RF Ricardo Nanita was 1/5 with a double, run & RBI; 3B Joel Guzman was 2/5 with a double & RBI; 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 with a double and his first Double-A homer, a two-run homer; and CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/4 with a double & two runs scored.
- Saturday – Swept by Bowie in doubleheader, losing game one 7-1 (box) and game two 5-2 (box/gamer). In the first game, RHP Erik Arnesen gave up seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 5IP to take the loss. The Senators managed only one hit on offense, a solo homer by Nanita. In the second game, RHP Carlos Martinez made the spot start, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over 3 2/3IP. RHP Dan Leatherman made his Double-A debut, giving up a solo homer over his 2 1/3 innings of relief, striking out four. Nanita was 2/2 with a double, homer & two RBI and CF Charlie Fermaint was 2/3 with a run scored.
- Sunday – Lost 5-2 to Bowie (box/gamer). RHP Jeff Mandel allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over 6IP while striking out seven, taking the loss. Marrero was 2/4; CA Sean Rooney was 2/3 with a triple & run scored; and 2B Nick Arata was 1/2 with one RBI.
- Today – Harrisburg RHP Brad Meyers (4-1, 2.51) at Bowie RHP Ryohei Tanaka (4-3, 2.70) 2:05PM
Potomac
- Friday – Defeated Kinston 8-1 (box). RHP Osvaldo Rodriguez allowed an unearned run on three hits & three walks over 3 2/3 innings in his spot start, striking out three. RHP Luis Garcia picked up the win with three scoreless & hitless innings of relief, striking out five. 2B Michael Martinez was 2/4 with a stolen base, RBI & two runs scored; CA Devin Ivany was 2/4 with a double, homer & four RBI; 3B Stephen King was 2/4 with a run & RBI; and CF Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a run scored.
- Saturday – Defeated Kinston 7-0 (box). LHP Tom Milone was great in his final start, holding Kinston to four hits and one walk over 8IP with four strikeouts, picking up his 12th win of the season. SS Danny Espinosa was 1/3 with a homer & two RBI; RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with two runs scored; Ivany was 1/3 with a homer, two runs & two RBI; and 1B Tim Pahuta was 2/3 with a homer & three RBI.
- Sunday – Lost 9-3 to Kinston (box). RHP Brad Peacock gave up six runs on nine hits & one walk over 5 2/3IP with four strikeouts over 5 2/3IP. LF Jesus Valdez was 1/4 with a solo homer; Ivany was 2/4 with a double & run; CA Brian Peacock was 2/4 with a double & run; King was 1/4 with one BRI; and Whiting was 1/3 with one RBI.
- Today – Kinston (TBA) at Potomac LHP Will Atwood (8-8, 4.58) 1:05PM
Hagerstown
- Friday – Defeated Lake County 9-4 (box). RHP Juan Jaime gave up four unearned runs on five hits & three walks over 4 2/3IP with six strikeouts; RHP Chris Lugo picked up the win with 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits; and LHP Austin Garrett pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two. DH Tyler Moore was 3/3 with two doubles, two RBI & two runs; RF J.R. Higley was 2/4 with a double, run & RBI; 1B Brett Newsome was 1/4 with a double, run & two RBI in his Hagerstown debut; and CA Travis Reagan was 1/3 with a run & RBI.
- Saturday – Defeated Lake County 6-5 (box). RHP Pat Lehman allowed just two hits over 7IP with nine strikeouts, but did not figure in the decision. LHP Clayton Dill blew the save allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 1IP but picked up the win when the Suns rallied for the win. 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 2/5 with one RBI; Higley was 2/5 with a double; Moore was 2/5 with a run; Newsome was 3/4 with a double, run & two RBI; 3B James Keithley was 2/4 with one RBI; and CF Chris Curran was 1/3 with a triple & two runs scored.
- Sunday – Lost 2-1 to Lake County (box). RHP Marcos Frias gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits & two walks over 6IP with five strikeouts and RHP Patrick Arnold pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits & one strikeout. Newsome was 2/4 with a run scored.
- Today – Lake County (TBA) at Hagerstown RHP A.J. Morris (0-3, 3.58) 2:05PM
Vermont
- Friday – Defeated Staten Island 5-2 (box). RHP Matt Swynenberg picked up the win, allowing a run on two hits & one walk over 5IP with four strikeouts; RHP Gary Amato struck out five over 3IP, giving up one run on two hits; and RHP Dean Weaver pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save. CF Jay Sferra was 3/4 with two stolen bases & one RBI; 1B Ronnie Labrie was 2/4 with a run scored; CA Sandy Leon was 1/3 with a homer & three RBI; LF JP Ramirez was 0/5; and RF Destin Hood was 0/4.
- Saturday – Lost 11-2 to Staten Island (box). LHP Jack McGeary surrendered eight runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 1 2/3IP with three strikeouts; LHP Chad Jenkins gave up three runs on two hits & four walks over 2 1/3IP with two strikeouts. Sferra was 3/4; and SS Sean Nicol was 3/4 with a run scored; Ramirez was 1/4; and Hood was 1/3 with one RBI.
- Sunday - Defeated Staten Island 11-2 (box). RHP Kyle Morrison picked up the win, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over 5 2/3IP with four strikeouts. RHP Dustin Crane pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, giving up a hit and walk & striking out two. And LHP Evan Bronson pitched a scoreless ninth. 2B Francisco Soriano was 1/5 with a double, run & RBI; Nicol was 1/5 with a double, two runs & two RBI; Ramirez was 2/5 with a double, two runs & three RBI; Hood was 1/6 with one RBI; Leon was 2/4 with two runs scored; and Sferra was 2/4 with a run & RBI.
- Season over
Tragic Number Update
| MLB | W | L | GA | Left | Tragic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 47 | 90 | 0.0 | 25 | |
| Kansas City | 51 | 85 | 4.5 | 26 | 21 |
| Pittsburgh | 54 | 81 | 8.0 | 27 | 18 |
| Baltimore | 56 | 81 | 9.0 | 25 | 16 |
| San Diego | 61 | 77 | 13.5 | 24 | 11 |
| Arizona | 61 | 77 | 13.5 | 24 | 11 |
| Cleveland | 60 | 76 | 13.5 | 26 | 12 |
| Oakland | 61 | 76 | 14.0 | 25 | 11 |
| Toronto | 61 | 75 | 14.5 | 26 | 11 |
| NY Mets | 62 | 75 | 15.0 | 25 | 10 |
| Cincinnati | 63 | 73 | 16.5 | 26 | 9 |
| Houston | 66 | 70 | 19.5 | 26 | 6 |
| Milwaukee | 66 | 70 | 19.5 | 26 | 6 |
| Chicago Sox | 68 | 70 | 20.5 | 24 | 4 |
| Minnesota | 68 | 68 | 21.5 | 26 | 4 |
| Chicago Cubs | 68 | 67 | 22.0 | 27 | 4 |
| Atlanta | 70 | 67 | 23.0 | 25 | 2 |
“Eliminated” (13): Yankees, Angels, Dodgers, Cardinals, Red Sox, Phillies, Rockies, Rangers, Tigers, Giants, Rays, Marlins, & Mariners
#1 by Positively Half St. - September 7th, 2009 at 10:13
The Mariners were so nearly as bad as we were last year, and now they have a winning record. On one hand that is encouraging, but it also hurts. I don’t want the Nats to be a Pittsburgh-type club.
#2 by JayB - September 7th, 2009 at 10:15
Thanks Brian, I did not know they planned out innings to that degree, does that mean when a starter is going good they are going to get pulled after whatever the average innings predicted in the plan accounts for. Is this approach getting top prospect like Ross D ready to pitch deep into a game or how to manage his own pitch count so that he does not kill the MLB team with short starts when he get there?
Jack McG……what is going on there….is his head just not in the game or what?
#3 by JayB - September 7th, 2009 at 10:16
The difference between Seattle and Nats is clear. Seattle fired GM and Manager at then end of last season and the Nats did nothing.
#4 by Positively Half St. - September 7th, 2009 at 10:17
Brian-
As the Minor League season comes to an end for us today, I want to robustly thank you again for this service. This has been the best part of a bad season, and I look forward to your thoughts on how different players might move up, the AFL, and Mike Rizzo’s attempts to rebuild the franchise.
+1/2St.
#5 by Positively Half St. - September 7th, 2009 at 10:18
JayB-
We have a chance to fire the same Interim Manager! Maybe that’s good superstition!
Bring on Bobby Valentine.
+1/2St.
#6 by Sue Dinem - September 7th, 2009 at 11:09
Sure, it’s not like the Mariners are outperforming their pythagorean by nine games, or got lucky with one reclamation project. Ordinarily, I’d give the GM credit for unloading Putz onto the Mariners, but outwitting Omar Minaya isn’t exactly beating Gary Kasparov in a game of chess.
#7 by Bill Wanner - September 7th, 2009 at 11:52
Positively Half ST… Please tell me you are kidding… Bringing that has been wannabe to DC would be just be another reason not to venture into the capitol area.
#8 by John - September 7th, 2009 at 11:58
Any word on Derek Norris? I hope he’ll be at instructionals and the AFL.
#9 by Chris - September 7th, 2009 at 12:02
Norris will be playing in the AFL.
#10 by John - September 7th, 2009 at 12:26
Chris: He was pulled out of Friday’s game and hasn’t played since. I’m assuming he’s injured, but haven’t seen any updates. Do you know if he’s hurt and if so, how long he’ll be out?
#11 by Positively Half St. - September 7th, 2009 at 12:38
Bill-
I am serious, but I am very willing to hear the rebuttal. I think there are managers who get the best out of a young team, and bring them to contention. Valentine has been that kind of manager, even though he wears out his welcome before he seals up a title. Davey Johnson was similar, except that he actually could bring the title.
I am not looking for a manager to be around for 20 years, but I am looking for someone to get the team to take that first step toward respectability. To the extent that a manager can do that, I think Bobby Valentine could be our man.
#12 by dd - September 7th, 2009 at 13:37
Go Newsome Go!
#13 by Ted L - September 7th, 2009 at 14:42
It is the resto of the talent in the cluhouse not the manager, but I would gladly forgo Bryce Harper to climb out of the basement. I could live with not losing 100 and Gerrit Cole.
#14 by Dick Salmon - September 7th, 2009 at 15:43
Ted L: Gerrit Cole will be available in the 2011 draft since he went to UCLA instead of signing with the Yankees in 2008. He won’t be eligible until after his junior year.
Would be shocked, shocked to see the Nats finish out the season going 17-9 to avoid losing 100 games! If the Nats go 13-12, the Royals would have to go no better than 8-16 for Royals to get the first pick. Hard, but not yet impossible, to see Nats NOT getting first pick.
I’m not buying a Bryce Harper jersey just yet, I don’t think he has even been ruled eligible for the 2010 draft yet!
#15 by RD - September 7th, 2009 at 16:26
He hasn’t been ruled eligible for the draft yet, but that’s just a formality. He can take the GED in October and once he does, he’s cleared to play for CSN.
Even if he doesn’t pass, there’s a chance he’s in the draft. There’s a rule that states if a kid drops out of HS, he has to sit out a year before he can be drafted. Depending on when his last day of high school, he may be a year removed and eligible no matter what.
He’s pretty much a lock to be in the draft.
So when does Desmond get the call up? Im interested in watching him prove himself, and hopefully land our SS job next year.
#16 by Bill Wanner - September 7th, 2009 at 16:37
Positively Half St., I am just afriad that Valentines ego could possibly raise its ugly head. If we dont stick with Riggs,, how about a Bob Brenly? He did ok with the young talent in Az. for the most part. And who knows,,, maybe LaRussa and Duncan will be available .
#17 by John - September 7th, 2009 at 17:20
If the Royals hang on today(They lead 6-3 in the 9th) the magic number is 20. If the Nats go 13-12, the Royals would have to go 7-18 to get the first pick.
#18 by mcgalinmd - September 7th, 2009 at 17:43
Norris injured ligaments in his thumb on his catching hand. Not sure how bad….info straight from the coach. He didn’t play in the final few games of the season, but was on the bench in uniform.
#19 by souldrummer - September 7th, 2009 at 20:16
Mcgalinmd, comments like yours are why I read this blog religiously. You just can’t get info like this anywhere else and I seem to remember Brian scooping some of the majors on draft day.
Hope they give Desmond oodles of playing time and he makes use of the opportunity. We’ve got to figure out what do with that shortstop/2B black hole if we’re going to be any better next year.
Glad to see that both Potomac and Harrisburg ended the season with wins, especially Harrisburg sending the junior AngelOs home unhappy with another solid start by Brad Meyers.
#20 by John - September 7th, 2009 at 20:48
Thanks mcgal. I hope it’s not too bad. I guess we’ll find out if he misses instructionals or AFL time.