Finally, I have recovered my internet access, so I apologize for not posting daily previews and nightly round-ups. Before starting, I offer congratulations to Tommy Milone on that 3 run shot in his first AB. So here we go.
NATS vs. Mets
Final score: 6-3 Mets. That makes the NATS 2-10 in their last 12 games. In Livo’s last game of the season for us, maybe ever, he pitched 5.1 IP allowing 8 H and 6 ER. I have always been a Livo fan and am sad that his time with the organization is coming to an end in all likelihood, but I hope NATS fans can appreciate what he meant to our team for many years. Story of the night? The NATS still struggle w RISP going 2-12. You can’t strand 10 and expect to win games. Mets SP Pelfrey didn’t pitch all that well either giving up 3 ER on 5 H in 4.2 IP and throwing 106 TP-64 strikes. However, the Mets bullpen came in and shut us down giving up only 2 H over the remaining 4.1 IP. Another tough loss. Davey’s decision to move Desmond to lead off has appeared to have been working albeit today is not included in that as Dezzie wore the collar in an 0-4 day.
Chiefs vs. Lehigh Valley
Final score: 7-4 Lehigh Valley. The Chiefs continue to struggle this year as they notched their 73rd loss of the year in the International League. Syracuse had one productive offensive inning, the 5th, in which they scored all 4 of their runs, 3 of which came on a homerun courtesy of Valdez. They stranded 9 and went 2-8 w RISP. There isn’t really much to say other than that they didn’t take care of business when they needed to. Pitching line: Although the loss went to reliever Mandel, SP Tatusko only managed to get through 4.0 IP after throwing 70 TP-43 strikes en route to a performance that included 7 H and 1 ER. Although he struggled to throw strikes, he did get away with only 1 R on the board before Hyde and Mandel each gave up 2 ER in the 7th and 8th innings. On the winning side was IronPigs reliever Feierabend, with SP Mathieson hurling 4.1 IP of 6 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 3 K baseball on 92 TP-54 strikes. Story of the night? IronPigs relievers who combined to pitch 4.2 IP giving up only 2 H.
Senators vs. Akron
Final score: 6-4 Aeros. The Senators have already clinched the division and look poised to have a great post-season, and Bryce Harper is still recovering from the hamstring injury. Having him back will be huge. Like the NATS, they also went 2-12 w RISP. I can’t say it enough, stranding runners=losing ball games. Sens SP Rosenbaum had a decent outing going 6 IP while allowing 4 H for 2 ER, he did not get the decision however. Consecutive 2 run innings in the 7th and 8th were the difference as the Aeros were able to rally back and take home the W, although their SP Brach also got the ND after 6 IP of 6 H 4 ER baseball. Story of the night? The Sens showing up early and not producing anything after the 3rd inning.
PNats vs. Kinston
Final scores: 5-3 and 2-1 Kinston. RISP performance also a factor with the PNats going 1-4. Not only did they not hit with RISP in game 1 but they did not even get runners into scoring position. Hard to win when you don’t score much. Pitching line: Murata (Indians) 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K. Bronson (PNats) 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Game 2 was more of the same. Despite outhitting the Indians, the PNats managed a poor 1-8 w RISP and fell by 1 run. 5 PNats players wore the collar in a weak offensive game for our Carolina League Champions. Pitching line: Goodnight (Indians) gets the win with 5.1 IP of 3 H, 1 ER baseball. Clegg (PNats) with the loss after 5.0 IP of 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER baseball. When your SP doesn’t allow an earned run you just have to get him the win, period.
Suns vs. BlueClaws
- Final Score: WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!! The Suns saved the NATS organization from being shutout in all 6 games played today by beating Lakewood 4-2. The Suns trailed until the 6th inning, at which point Keyes (17 HR) and Martinson (19 HR) each tee’d off on Lakewood reliever Lugo and gave them the lead for good. Pitching lines for the SP’s were nearly identical with Suns SP Cole going 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K and BlueClaws SP Manzanillo going 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. In the end, Lugo came undone and gave up 4 H for 3 ER in 1.0 IP ultimately costing them the game. Story of the night? The Low-A Suns being the only team in the organization to grind out a win.
-Marco
