DH Josh Whitesell’s RBI single in the bottom of the eighth led Syracuse to a 4-3 win over Norfolk (box/gamer). Whitesell was 1/2 with two walks, a run & two RBI; 2B Chase Lambin was 2/4 with a triple; RF Kevin Mench was 1/3 with a walk, double & run scored; and a rehabbing Mike Morse was 0/3 with a run scored. RHP Shairon Martis started for Syracuse, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over 5 1/3 IP; RHP Drew Storen threw 1 2/3IP, striking out one; and RHP Joel Peralta earned his eighth save with a scoreless ninth.

Today: Norfolk LHP Chris George (1-1, 4.50) at Syracuse RHP Chuck James (2-0, 4.85) 7PM

LHP Aaron Thompson and the Senators were knocked around for nine runs on 13 hits in a 9-1 loss at Altoona (box/gamer). Thompson surrendered six runs on eight hits and a walk over 4IP; RHP Hassan Pena gave up a run on two hits and a walk over 2IP; RHP Mike MacDougal allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over 2/3 of an inning; and RHP Zech Zinicola pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out two. SS Danny Espinosa was 1/4 with a run scored; 2B Leonard Davis was 2/3 with one RBI; and 1B Chris Marrero was 0/4.

Today: Harrisburg LHP Tom Milone (2-1, 3.52) at Altoona RHP Derek Hankins (2-0, 1.59) 10:30AM

RHP Marcos Frias allowed three first inning runs as Potomac fell 4-1 to Winston-Salem (box/gamer). Frias allowed the three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk over 4IP while striking out five. RHP Martin Beno struck out five over two scoreless innings of relief; and RHP Cole Kimball struck out one and walked one in his one inning of work. CF Boomer Whiting was 2/3 with a run scored; CA Derek Norris was 0/4; 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 1/2 with a walk; and RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with a walk.

Today: Winston-Salem RHP Nate Jones  (3-1, 3.24) at Potomac RHP Jason Marquis (rehab start) 7:03PM [RHP Brad Peacock (1-3, 4.55) will take over for Marquis]

Three Augusta runs in the eighth led to Hagerstown’s 3-2 loss (box/gamer). 3B Steven Souza was 2/4 with a triple & run scored; LF Destin Hood was 1/4 with one RBI; DH J.P. Ramirez was 2/4 with a double; RF Marcus Jones was 1/4 with a double & run scored; and CA Sandy Leon was 1/3 with a double & RBI. LHP Dan Rosenbaum started for the Suns, striking out eight and allowing just four hits over seven shutout innings.

Today: No game scheduled

OF Chris Curran and CA Wilfri Pena have been sent to Vermont (extended spring); UTIL Dan Nelson was released. These three moves opened spots for UTIL Bill Rhinehart (from HBG), CA Derek Norris (from DL), and OF Boomer Whiting (from DL).

Thanks, SueD for keeping the discussions going. Things should start getting back to normal this week. I’ve attempted to update the Big Board with all of the various moves, but I’m sure I’ll find some moves I’ve missed.

Syracuse’s doubleheader with Gwinnett was postponed. Both the suspended game from Saturday and Sunday’s regularly scheduled game will be made up when the Chiefs visit the Braves in June.

Today: Norfolk RHP Jake Arrieta (3-1, 1.50) at Syracuse LHP Chuck James (2-0, 4.85) 7PM

Harrisburg rallied for tree late runs to upend Richmond 6-3 (box/gamer). RHP Jeff Mandel allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over 7 1/3IP with five strikeouts. RHP Mike MacDougal blew a save but picked up the win in relief, giving up one hit in 2/3 of an inning. LHP Victor Garate picked up his third save of the season. CA Jhonathan Solano was 2/4 with a double, homer & three RBI; CF Brad Coon was 1/3 with a homer and two RBI; SS Danny Espinosa was 1/5 with a double; and 1B Chris Marrero was 1/4 with a double.

Today: Harrisburg LHP Aaron Thompson (1-3, 4.67) at Altoona TBA 6:30PM

Potomac rallied to tie Kinston 2-2 in the top of the ninth, but fell 3-2 in ten innings (box/gamer). LHP Evan Bronson allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over 5IP; RHP Dan Leatherman struck out five over 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief; and LHP Clayton Dill took the loss, surrendering a run on two hits and a walk over 2/3 of an inning. DH Dan Nelson was 2/4 with a two-run homer; LF Edgardo Baez was 1/4; and 1B Tim Pahuta was 1/3.

Today: Winston-Salem LHP Justin Edwards (3-2, 2.25) at Potomac RHP Marcos Frias (1-1, 4.73) 7:03PM

Hagerstown fell 6-5 to Augusta (box/gamer). RHP Paul Demny allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks over 5IP with two strikeouts. DH JP Ramirez was 2/4 with a doble, triple & two runs scored; LF Destin Hood was 3/3 with a run, stolen base & thre RBI; and CF Eury Perez was 0/3 with a walk & run scored.

Today: Hagerstown LHP Dan Rosenbaum (1-1, 2.45) at Augusta BJ Salisbury (3-2, 5.13) 7:05PM

As most of the regulars here now, I have spent the past 3 1/2 months student teaching in preparation for a big career change.

Today marked the end of that phase of my education. I wrapped up my teaching internship today.

It’s had an impact on the posting at NFA, I know. I appreciate everyone’s patience as I worked through the long days & nights.

Why do I bring this up?

NFA is going to be quiet for the next week as I take a vacation. I’m headed off to Utah for a week of hiking and relaxing (with a day of gambling in Vegas).

I’ll see everyone on May 10.

Syracuse lost the lead late, falling 3-2 to Toledo on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth (box). The Nationals promoted RHP Jeff Mandel for a spot start and he pitched solidly, allowing a run on four hits and a walk over 5 1/3IP while striking out two. RHP Josh Wilkie took the loss, allowing an unearned run on one hit and two walks over 1/3 of an inning. DH Chris Duncan was 3/4 with a stolen base; 2B Seth Bynum was 2/3 with a double & RBI; CF Pete Orr was 1/3 with a run scored; and LF Kevin Mench was 2/4.

Today: Syracuse RHP Andrew Kown(0-2, 1.93) at Toledo RHP Armando Galarraga (3-1, 2.22) 7PM

Harrisburg did not play on Thursday. Notes: LHP Jack Spradlin was sent from Syracuse to Harrisburg (H/T to Geoff Morrow for the info).

Today: Altoona RHP Mike Crotta (2-0, 1.78) at Harrisburg LHP Aaron Thompson (1-1, 2.87) 7PM

Potomac rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth, allowed it to be tied by Myrtle Beach in the bottom of the ninth, before winning 5-4 in 10 innings (box/gamer). RF Michael Burgess was 2/4 with a double & two-run homer; 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 1/5 with a double; LF Edgardo Baez was 1/4 with a walk & run scored; and CF Chris Curran was 1/3 with one RBI. LHP Evan Bronson gave up two runs on four hits and two walks over 6IP while striking out three; RHP Robinson Fabian allowed a run on a walk over 2IP; and RHP Dan Leatherman blew the save but got the win, surrendering an unearned run on two hits over 2IP.

Today: Potomac RHP Marcos Frias (0-0, 3.92) at Lynchburg LHP Matt Fairel (2-0, 3.60) 6:05PM

Hagerstown rallied from down 4-1 to defeat Augusta 6-4 (box/gamer). LHP Dan Rosenbaum started for the Suns, allowing two runs on six hits over 6IP while striking out five; LHP Glenn Gibson threw a scoreless inning of relief; RHP Wanel Vasquez blew a save allowing two runs on two hits over two innings but picked up the win when the Suns rallied; and RHP Dean Weaver earned his third save with a scoreless ninth. DH J.P. Ramirez was 1/4 with a solo homer; CA Sandy Leon was 2/3 with two RBI; CF Eury Perez was 1/4 with a run scored; and 1B/3B Justin Bloxom was 1/4 with a run & RBI.

Today: Augusta RKyle Vazquez (2-0, 1.50) at Hagerstown LHP Josh Smoker (0-3, 7.88) 6:35PM

Syracuse has added RHPs Jeff Mandel & Drew Storen from Harrisburg. These moves put the Chiefs two over the max roster (26/24) and the Senators two under the max roster (22/24).

LHP Chuck James won his second straight start, as the Chiefs defeated Toledo 5-3 (box). James allowed three runs on four hits over 5IP while striking out four. LHPs Doug Slaten & Atahaulpa Severino and RHP Joel Peralta combined on three one-hit shutout innings of relief, striking out a combined six with Peralta earning his fourth save of the season. 3B Chase Lambin paced the way offensively, going 3/4 with a double, solo homer & two RBI. DH Josh Whitesell had a solo homer; CF Pete Orr was 2/4; and a rehabbing Mike Morse was 2/4 with a run & RBI. Notes: Still no word on what’s up with RHP JD Martin so the Nationals are again going to borrow a pitcher from Harrisburg, this time RHP Jeff Mandel.

Today: Syracuse RHP Jeff Mandel (NR) at Toledo LHP Phil Dumtrait (1-1, 4.66) 6:30PM

Harrisburg RF/LF Leonard Davis & LF/1B Bill Rhinehart each hit a homer off of rehabbing Philles SP Joe Blanton as the Senators defeated Reading 5-2 (box/gamer). Davis was 1/4 with a three-run HR; Rhinehart was 1/3 with a two-run homer; SS Danny Espinosa was 1/3 with a walk & two runs scored; 1B Chris Marrero was 0/3; and CF Brad Coon was 1/4. LHP Matt Chico picked up the win, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks over 5IP while striking out three. The Sens pen was again strong, allowing just one hit and two walks over the final four innings with RHP Erik Arnesen earning his second save of the season. Notes: Patriot-News feature on Chico. It appears that Mandel’s promotion is for a spot start, so the Senators will not replace Mandel on the roster.

Today: Altoona RHP Mike Crotta (2-0, 1.78) at Harrisburg LHP Aaron Thompson (1-1, 2.87) 7PM

Potomac’s brief three-game win streak came to an end with a 10-5 loss at Myrtle Beach (box/gamer). 1B Tyler Moore was 2/5 with two homers & three RBI; RF Michael Burgess was 0/3 with two walks & two strikeouts; 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 2/5 with a run scored; CF Edgardo Baez was 2/4 with a walk, stolen base, RBI & strikeout; and DH Dan Nelson was 1/3 with a walk & run scored. RHP A.J. Morris took the loss, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over 4IP while striking out four. LHP Cory VanAllen struck out four over two innings, giving up an unearned run on one hit. Notes: IF Dan Lyons was activated from the DL and sent to Hagerstown to replace the injured Jeff Kobernus.

Today: Potomac LHP Evan Bronson (1-1, 6.28) at Myrtle Beach RHP Randall Delgado (0-2, 3.57 7:05PM

Hagerstown rallied for six runs in the seventh inning to defeat Augusta 7-2 (box/gamer). RHP Paul Demny started for the Suns, surrendering two runs on two hits and four walks over 4 2/3IP. LHP Mitchell Clegg earned the win with 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits & one walk while striking out five. 2B Francisco Soriano was 3/5 with two doubles, one run & one RBI; SS Sean Nicol was 1/2 with two walks & a run scored; 1B Justin Bloxom was 1/3 with a run & two RBI; LF Destin Hood was 1/4 with a double & run scored; DH J.P. Ramirez was 1/4 with a double; and RF Marcus Jones was 2/4 with a run & RBI.

Today: Augusta RHP Devan Kline (0-1, 2.61) at Hagerstown LHP Daniel Rosenbaum (1-0, 1.19) 6:35PM

SueD nailed it in the comments. Today is my final observation for my student teaching … hence the quiet.

Should be back at it tomorrow

RHP Robinson Fabian was activated from the DL and OF Michael Guerrero was sent to Vermont (extended spring training).

RHP Andrew Brown was sent to Vermont (i.e. extended spring training) and LHP Ron Villone was added to the Chiefs roster.