Syracuse again waited until their final at-bat to win their game, this time with a 10-inning 5-4 win over Lehigh Valley (box/gamer). LHP Scott Olsen made the start for the Chiefs, striking out four while allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over 6 1/3IP. LHP Jack Spradlin and RHPs Andrew Kown & Josh Wilkie pitched a combined 3 2/3 innings of shut out relief with Kown striking out three over 2IP and Wilkie picking up the win in relief. LF Chris Duncan was 0/3 but had two RBI, including the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth. RF Roger Bernadina was 2/4 with a run, walk & two stolen bases; 1B Josh Whitesell was 2/5 with a run & two RBI; and 3B Pete Orr was 1/3 with two walks and the game-winning run.
Today: Lehigh Valley at Syracuse RHP Collin Balester (NR) 2PM
Harrisburg’s offense remained silent as the Senators fell to Altoona 6-1 on Friday night (box/gamer). I’ll refer you to Geoff Morrow’s gamer today to sum it up
Two games into the Eastern League season, here’s what the Harrisburg Senators’ offense has produced: Two runs. Seven singles (four of the infield variety). One solo home run. And one odorous 0-for-6 effort with the bases loaded.
CF Leonard Davis was 1/4 with a solo homer (looks like the Nats are going to try Davis out around the diamond); 1B Chris Marrero was 1/4; LF Jesus Valdez was 2/4; and CA Jhonathan Solano was 1/3. LHP Aaron Thompson made the start, getting knocked around for five runs on seven hits and two walks over 3 2/3 IP. RHP Adam Carr struck out three over two innings of two-hit/shutout relief. And, RHP Drew Storen made his debut allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over one scoreless inning.
Today: Harrisburg LHP Tom Milone (NR) at Altoona 5PM
Potomac split their two games on Friday evening, losing Thursday’s suspended game 6-4 (box) before outlasting Salem 2-1 in 14 innings of the regularly scheduled game (box). RHP Robinson Fabian, acquired from the Rockies last year in the Joe Beimel deal, allowed a run on three hits over 1 2/3 innings of the game when it started on Thursday. LHP Evan Bronson took over on Friday, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over 3IP while striking out four; RHP Martin Beno struck out four over 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief; and LHP Clayton Dill took the loss, surrendering two runs on one hit and three walks over just 2/3 of an inning. the P-Nats used six pitchers which proved critical for the second game. LF Boomer Whiting was 0/2 with a walk & stolen base; DH Francisco Plasencia was 1/4 with a run & stolen base; CF Nick Moresi was 2/4; and RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with a apair of strikeouts.
In the second game, RHP Marcos Frias made the start, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 5 2/3 IP; RHP Cole Kimball struck out three over 2 2/3 scoreless inings of relief; and RHP Jesse Estrada pitched three scoreless innings. That’s when the P-Nats the heavy pitching usage in game one led to the non-traditional pitchers, DH Nick Moresi and CA Robby Jacobsen. Moresi threw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two while Jacobsen picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Whiting was 1/5 with a stolen base & run scored; Burgess was 3/5 with a double; Jacobsen was 2/6 with a triple; and Moresi was 2/5 with a pair of doubles.
Today: Salem at Potomac RHP Pat Lehman (NR) 6:35PM
Hagerstown fell 7-2 to Hickory (box/gamer). LHP Josh Smoker made the start, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks over 4IP while striking out seven. RHP Colton Willems allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 4IP while striking out six. RHP Wanel Vasquez made his debut, striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief. CF Eury Perez was 2/4 with a stolen base and RBI; 2B Francisco Soriano was 1/3; and DH Marcus Jones was 2/4 with a double & two runs scored.
Today: Hickory at Hagerstown RHP Trevor Holder (NR) 6:35PM
Starting Rotations (Potomac is still TBD)
| Team | G1 SP | G2 SP | G3 SP | G4 SP | G5 SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | Martin | Olsen | Balester | Martis | Atilano |
| Harrisburg | Mandel | Thompson | Milone | Strasburg | Chico |
| Potomac | Fabian | Frias | Lehman | McCoy | Peacock |
| Hagerstown | Rosenbaum | Smoker | Holder | Demny | McGeary |
#1 by Souldrummer - April 10th, 2010 at 10:27
Nice to see Marcus Jones back in action. I seem to remember him as somebody a lot of people were curious about last year. What would be an optimistic situation for him to progress and where is he rated as a prospect?
#2 by Brian Oliver - April 10th, 2010 at 10:44
At this point, I’d hope Jones develops into a potential #4 or 5 OF. He could be better if everything breaks right for him, but that seems realistic
Note: I’m trying to figure out what is up with Jeff Kobernus who has not played yet
#3 by Souldrummer - April 10th, 2010 at 10:48
Thanks so much Brian. I remember people saying he was solid defensively and I remember him getting hurt last year. Hope he bounces back.
#4 by dd - April 10th, 2010 at 12:13
Smoker and Willems are two of many draft picks that will continue to stunt the Nationals’ growth. Not so much the individual players but the poor decisions not to draft better.
#5 by Souldrummer - April 10th, 2010 at 12:29
This year’s draft will be a real test of Team Rizzo and you’re hoping it will show his best strengths. He’s not going to have Strasburg and the financial constraints that imposed on the rest of the draft. He will have better scouting support to make better decisions deeper in. We’ll see how things go.
#6 by AlexVA - April 10th, 2010 at 14:35
@dd – 13 K’s for the two of them combined is a ray of hope. their both still young
#7 by AlexVA - April 10th, 2010 at 14:45
they’re both still young looks better
#8 by Souldrummer - April 10th, 2010 at 18:59
Wonder if there’s some buzz building in Syracuse. 3 exhilarating wins so far with them taking it in 12 over the Phils today.
#9 by dd - April 10th, 2010 at 23:12
AlexVa, appreciate your optimism, but a 4 and 5 year pro still pitching in Low A ball is very disappointing. So are the hit and walk totals. 22 year olds toiling in A Ball after being drafted out of high school are not young, in baseball terms.
#10 by peric - April 11th, 2010 at 00:00
Looks like Hagerstown is using Kobernus as a pinch hitter? Holder threw 4.1 innings 5 strike outs 1 walk 2 runs. Middle relief that followed imploded.
In Syracuse JD Martin was used as a pinch hitter. JD Martin the pitcher he is again leading the staff with the low WHIP and ERA.
#11 by peric - April 11th, 2010 at 00:04
Looks like Milone pitched a 1 hitter through 6 in Harrisburg as they lose another close pitching duel in the 10th but 1 – 0. Harrisburg looks to need some offense although Marerro appears to be hitting and walking. Bernadina looks like gangbusters with a triple today still hitting around .400. JMax finally gets a hit and goes 3 for 5 with a couple of doubles and a walk. Now hitting .250.
In general Harrisburg’s pitching looks far and away better than Syracuse’s. With the exception of JD Martin the starting pitching does not look all that great. Mixed bag with the relievers. Fortunately, the offense is really lighting up the scoreboard.
#12 by fact - April 11th, 2010 at 00:36
dd, If you knew the facts instead of being a avid reader and a professional critic, You would know the two you are blasting were bonifide number one picks, but mechanics were changed and altered for some unknown reason!
#13 by Sue Dinem - April 11th, 2010 at 07:38
Last Night In Woodbridge: http://bit.ly/bMOrLl
#14 by WallyBall - April 11th, 2010 at 08:28
Any word on Olsen’s velocity?
#15 by dd - April 11th, 2010 at 19:49
fact, I don’t believe you know me. I would not make any judgements on you based on blog comments.
#16 by fact - April 12th, 2010 at 18:51
dd, Where did you get your info from?
#17 by dd - April 15th, 2010 at 16:20
fact, time will tell!! Remember Smoker and Willems!!