RHP Stephen Strasburg threw six no-hit innings as the Chiefs blanked the Norfolk Tides 4-0 (box/gamer). Strasburg faced one more than the minimum number of hitters, walking one and striking out seven. So far in his minor league career, he is now 5-1 with a 1.06 ERA and 40K/8BB over 34IP. It appears he’ll make 2-3 more Triple-A starts and be in line for his major league debut in early June. Given his current schedule, he could make a 6/5 major league debut against Cincinnati and pitch six of his first eight games at Nationals Park. RHP Drew Storen pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out one. 1B Josh Whitesell provided the bulk of the offense with a three-run triple. LF Chase Lambin was 2/4 with a run scored and RF Kevin Mench was 1/4 with a run & RBI.
Today: Norfolk RHP Brandon Erbe (0-6, 7.20) at Syracuse RHP Andrew Kown (1-2, 2.79) 10:30AM
RHP Erik Arnesen and three relievers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Senators blanked Altoona 7-0 (box/gamer). Arnesen gave up three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five. RHP Rafael Martin, LHP Yunior Novoa, and RHP Adam Carr each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. SS Danny Espinosa was 2/3 with a double, stolen base, three-run homer & three runs scored; CA Jhonathan Solano was 1/5 with a two-run homer;; 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 with a walk & RBI; and LF Marvin Lowrance was 2/4.
Today: New Britain TBA at Harrisburg RHP Brad Meyers (0-0, 0.00) 7PM
After two games featuring solid pitching, we get to the not-so-good pitching
Potomac was out-slugged by Winston-Salem 12-8 (box/gamer). RHP Robinson Fabian scattered four runs on ten hits and a walk over 5IP; LHP Cory VanAllen allowed three hits and three runs without recording an out and RHP Dan Leatherman surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 1/3IP. The lone pitching highlight was RHP Adrian Alaniz who struck out four in his 1 2/3 innings of relief. CA Derek Norris finally got his first Carolina League hits, going 3/5 with two runs & one RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 1/3 with a double & three RBI; CF Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a stolen base (#8) and two runs scored; and 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 1/2 with three walks, a double, RBI & two runs scored.
Today: Winston-Salem RHP Nevin Griffith (4-0, 2.94) at Potomac RHP A.J. Morris (1-2, 2.05) 7:03PM
After a solid start from LHP Mitchell Clegg, the Suns bullpen and defense imploded as Hagerstown fell 13-9 to West Virginia (box/gamer). Clegg allowed a run on two hits and a walk over 5IP while striking out six. LHP Glenn Gibson surrendered three runs on five hits over 1IP; RHP Kyle Morrison took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits and a walk over 2/3 of an inning; and RHP Dean Weaver allowed three unearned runs on four hits and a walk in one inning of work. SS Sean Nicol was 4/5 with two doubles, two runs & three RBI; 3B Steve Souza was 2/5 with a double, homer, two runs & three RBI; 2B Francisco Soriano was 2/5 with two runs & one RBI; LF Destin Hood was 1/4; and PH Adrian Nieto was 1/1 with a double & run scored.
Today: West Virginia RHP Kyle McPherson (2-3, 4.55) at Hagerstown RHP Trevor Holder (1-1, 4.55) 6:35PM
#1 by Chris - May 13th, 2010 at 08:01
I know he’s repeating a level, but Steve Souza has made a huge jump with his bat. He’s still struggling with the glove, however, so perhaps a move to first or a corner OF position is needed, but I’m excited about his development at the plate.
#2 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - May 13th, 2010 at 08:33
Glad to see Norris get back on track! What’s up with Van Allen? Is this not his second bad appearance? He has done quite well until now.
#3 by Sue Dinem - May 13th, 2010 at 08:46
LNIW: http://bit.ly/97IKsl
#4 by cjrugger - May 13th, 2010 at 08:54
Chris- yeah I say we pull the plug on the 3B experiment, the bat is certainly coming along though
#5 by nick - May 13th, 2010 at 09:04
Maybe someone can help me out. Didn’t we get someone else with Fabian in the trade with the Rockies? Mattheus or something like that? Where is he?
#6 by Brian Oliver - May 13th, 2010 at 09:08
nick – Yes, Ryan Mattheus. He had just had TJ surgery IIRC. My guess is he is rehabbing down in Florida, but I will ask
#7 by nick - May 13th, 2010 at 09:09
Thanks Brian. I wonder if he’s a prospect or just an organizational filler.
#8 by Greg - May 13th, 2010 at 09:11
Brian, I hope you’re right. I bought tickets to the 6/5 game last week. ESPN Insider thinks the 6/8 game against PIT
#9 by Scott - May 13th, 2010 at 09:29
I don’t understand this timetable. Strasburg pitched on 5/12. He’ll pitch 5/17 and 5/22, then either 5/27 or 5/28 depending on whether the Chiefs use an off-day to give him an extra day’s rest. That puts him in line to pitch either 6/1 or 6/2 and then either 6/6 or 6/7. Since the Nationals have 6/7 off and everyone assumes that the Chiefs will give him an extra day’s rest on 5/27, that leaves him pitching 6/2 either for Syracuse or at Houston with the Nats, and either 6/7 for Syracuse or 6/8 for the Nats.
Am I missing something?
#10 by Mark L - May 13th, 2010 at 09:29
Glad to see Arnesen back to starting. Yet another soft tosser who nobody gets excited about but almost always gets the job done.
#11 by Marcus - May 13th, 2010 at 09:40
Who’s affected more Burgess for seeing more pitches w/ Norris in front of him of or Norris since Burgess will b behind him as protection
#12 by Jeff - May 13th, 2010 at 09:55
Scott, I’m thinking maybe an extra day off before each start leading up to his promotion. If he makes three more starts and has an extra day of rest before each start that would, I believe, have him ready to make his debut Saturday June 5th @home vs. Cincinnati. I would definitely think the Nationals would want Strasburg making his first start at home. Imagine the rediculous bump in ticket sales if anything.
#13 by Sue Dinem - May 13th, 2010 at 10:05
@Marcus – That assumes there is such a thing as lineup protection, which most intelligent fans know is a myth
#14 by Justball - May 13th, 2010 at 11:01
I disagree with the move on Souza from 3rd. He has done an exceptional job there by making some big league plays. Keep in mind, these our minor league fields (not the best) and the ball does weird things sometimes. I don’t always agree with all the errors he’s been given. It seems to be partial as to when they want to call it an error or not to give someone a hit. Got to listen to the game to understand.
#15 by Chris - May 13th, 2010 at 11:21
Thanks for the input – it’s much appreciated. And you’re right, sometimes (okay often times) box scores don’t tell the entire truth.
But, and this is a big but, Souza doesn’t have a future with the Nats at third. He just doesn’t. If he’s a legit prospect, why not move him now while he’s still young and developing?
#16 by markfd - May 13th, 2010 at 11:38
Glad to see that Brad Meyers is on the hill for Harrisburg tonight!
#17 by markfd - May 13th, 2010 at 11:40
@ chris – I agree if the organization feels Souza is part of the plan for the future, he has to swithc positions at some point, the question I guess to me is when because you do not give up on a 21 year old, IMHO.
#18 by S_Smith - May 13th, 2010 at 12:18
Souza definately needs to be moved to a different position. i have watched steven play over the last 3(?) years that he has been in hagerstown, and i do have to agree, his batting has improved ALOT (hitting a long 2 run homer to left field last night). His fielding still has a long way to go though. he just needs to get consistant. i think he could definately move up in the organization if he was more consistant in his fielding.
#19 by Sec314 - May 13th, 2010 at 12:42
Until watching the Chiefs on MASN (Ok, watching Strasburg on MASN), I had not focused on Chase Lambin. Can he play RF? Is he a prospect or just filler?
#20 by A DC Wonk - May 13th, 2010 at 13:11
Sect314 — I had the same question, wondering why nobody was talking about him when, at the same time, the Nats have a perceived outfield problem.
#21 by Souldrummer - May 13th, 2010 at 14:21
We had the Chase Lambin discussion on an earlier thread. He’s filler from the Japan Leagues and is older anyways.
#22 by mcgalinmd - May 13th, 2010 at 15:15
I agree on the Souza move from 3rd. His home run last nigt was totally out of the ballpark, probably a good 425FT+ homerun – or more. He can hit, just not field with any consistency. Overall, he’s so streaky it’s aggravating. Three years in low-A has proven this out. As for the position to move to?? I’m just not sure…
#23 by Kath M - May 13th, 2010 at 21:53
Harrisburg wins!!! 3-1. Meyers gets the win with 0 runs, 3 hits, 4 Ks and Garate with 4th save.