Entering the month of May, alot of baseball ahead, the Nationals are suddenly the hottest team int he National League East (this is no big feat) winners of three straight. Last nights heroics came from none other than Felipe Lopez with a 12 inning RBI single with the bases loaded to defeat the Braves 3-2. The Mets, Marlins, and Phillies all suffered losses last night. The Nats now sit 4.5 games our of first and just 1.5 games away from putting the Braves in the NL East cellar. That tells you who well the National League East is playing when the nationals are 11-17 and just 4.5 games out.
The big story of the night was the pitching performance of Shawn Hill. Hill, freshly back from mysterious forearm issues, tossed 8 innings of 1 run ball, but failed to earn the decision. Hill scattered just 4 hits over the 8 innings. Saul Rivera picked up his third win out of the bullpen after giving up the game tying run. He is now 3-1 out of the pen, looking like last years Jon Rauch.
Lopez continues his vengeance and proving he belongs in the Nats lineup going 2 for 6 and knocking in 2 of the Nationals 3 runs. Lopez lifted his average to .262. The Nationals offense managed just 6 hits all night. Will Nieves continued his hot swing, going 1 for 1 in a pinch hit role last night. Nieves is hitting .375.
Nats face off against the Pittsburg Pirates tonight. Odalis Perez takes the mound for the Nationals against Zach Duke for the Pirates. The nationals will try and extend the winning streak to 4 games. Perez will look to continue a string of strong mound performances from Hill, John Lannan, and Tim Redding.
INJURY NOTE: Chad Cordoro was placed on the DL and will miss 4 to 6 weeks. Jon Rauch will continue int he closer role. Rauch has effectively been closer all season. Rauch is 2-0 with 5 saves and an ERA of 4.05.
Peaking in a the Farm System.
Columbus (AAA)
The Clippers, eerily like the Nats, are winning because of good starting pitching. Two nights ago, Jason Bergmann tossed 8 innings of no earned run ball, while striking out 6. Tyler Clippard the night before threw 6 shutout innings, a good appearance desperately needed. He still walked 4 batters.
Offensively, two familiar players continue to hit the ball for Columbus. OF Ryan Langerhans is 4 for 12 in the last three games with 2 homers, 5 runs, and 7 RBIs. Meanwhile Peter Orr has become a machine in AAA. In the last three games, Orr is 8 for 16 with 6 runs scored, 2 triples and a double. Both Langerhans and Orr are hitting .305.
Just like the Nationals, the Clippers started off horrible but are coming along. They have won three in a row and 4 of their last 4.
Current: 13-14, 3rd place, 4.5 games out
Harrisburg (AA)
The Senators have won 2 in a row and 4 of their last 6. Harrisburg has been powered by the bat of Roger Bernadina. Bernadina has gone 7 for 13 in the last 3 games. He has a homer, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs scored. Bernadina lifted his average to .308. Michael Daniel has been hot as well. Over the last 3 games, Daniel is 5 for 12 with a homer. Marco Estrada continue to pitch better each outing. In a Harrisburg win, Esatrada went 6 innings yielding 1 run and striking out 3.
Current: 17-9, FIRST PLACE (can you believe the difference in one year!)
Potomac (A)
The Baby Nats are on a hot tear as well, winning three straight. The Nats have not had much offense, in fact one of the games, they won 3-2, but were no hit. Figure that one out. It’s called — walks and errors. Pitchign wise though, probably the best pitching prospect in the system (and NO it is not Ross Detwiler) Jordon Zimmerman earned his third win pitching 7 shutout innings giving up 3 hits and striking out 9. He is now 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA. Corey Van Allen remains RED HOT pitching 7 scoreless innings, giving up only 1 hit on 4 strikeouts. In 5 appearances, 4 of which were starts, Van Allen is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.66. Not a typo, 0.66! Zechery Zincola has turned things around in 2008, he has been nothing short of splendid out of the pen. He is 2-0 with 3 saves and has not given up a run yet this year in 12.1 innings of relief work.
Current: 17-7, FIRST PLACE
Hagerstown (A)
And again, the Suns are smoking hot, winners of 4 of their last 5. Many of the 2007 draft picks are starting to heat up. After a slow start, SS Jacob Smolinski is 5 for his last 12. Michael Burgess lifted his average to .255. He was 2 for 5 with 2 homers and 5 RBIs. Bill Rhinehart continues hitting over .300 he is 3 fior his last 9. Aaron Suess is 3 for his last 8 with 3 runs. Colton Willems, 2006 draft pick, pitched 6 strong innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits and 4 strikeouts.
Current: 12-13, 4 games out
Leaders:
Homers: Michael Burgess (HGR), 8 Luke Montz (POT), 6
RBIs: Luke Montz (HBG), 26 Justin Maxwell (Hbg), 17
3B: Peter Orr (COL), 7
Runs: Justin Maxwell (HBG), 24 Roger Bernadina (HBG), 22
Average: Luke Montz .385, Jorge Padilla (HBG) .355, Matt Orgelstad (POT) .325
PITCHING LEADERS:
ERA: Corey Van Allen 0.66, Jordon Zimmerman 1.65, Terrence Engles 1.89, Michael O’Connor 1.96
Strikeouts: Jordon Zimmerman 31, Jhonnu Nunez, 31, Tyler Clippard 28
Innings: Bobby Brownlie 35, Corey Van Allen 27.1, Jordon Zimmerman 27.1
Saves: Brian Sanches (COL) 5
Relief: Zechery Zincola, 0.00 Carlos Martinez 1.04, Jim Ed Warren 1.29
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