Nationals Farm Report (4/10)

The Washington Nationals may have been off yesterday, after an embarrassing sweep by the Florida Marlins, but the Nationals minor league system kicked off their 2009 season last night. 

Syracuse (AAA):  This is the first season the Washington Nationals are affiliated with Syracuse Chiefs as the AAA affiliate.  For 31 years, Syracuse was the AAA minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, but that ended this year when the Chiefs signed a new agreement to join the Nationals. 

Syracuse lost their opener last night 7-4 to Rochester.  Nationals 5th starter Jordan Zimmerman pitched 5.1 innings, gave up 4 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 5.  Jason Bergmann blew a save opportunity and John Glover took the loss, allowing 3 runs in 1 inning of work.  3B Kory Casto was 4 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.  IF Alexander Cintron was 4 for 5. 

Harrisburg (AA):  The Senators were the only winner last night in the Nats system.  The Senators defeated Reading 6-5 in 10 innings.  Matthew Avery picked up the win out of the Senators bullpen, pitching 2 scoreless innings.  Zechery Zinacola nailed the 10th inning save.  Mike O’Connor allowed 2 runs in 4 innings in the start.  Prospect 2B Seth Bynum was 2 for 5 with a homer while OF Edgar Baez had a perfect night at the plate, going 4 for 4, doubling and scoring 3 runs.  OF Marvin Lowrance was 2 for 2 off the bench, including the game winning home run.  Ian Desmond also homered for the Senators and has 2 hits.        

Potomac (A):  The Potomac Nats dropped their opener 6-5 to Lynchburg despite a solid 5 inning, 1 run start from Erik Arnesen.  Andrew Kown and Marty Beno combined to allow 4 runs in 3 innings out of the Nationals bullpen.  Some of the Nats big hitting prospects had two hits a peice for Potomac last night.  SS Daniel Espinosa was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, OF Michael Burgess was 2 for 5 with a double and a run, 3B Stephen King was 2 for 4, and 1B Chris Marrero was 2 for 5.  

Hagerstown (A) got shutout 1-0 by Lake County in their opener.  Bradley Peacock put up an impressive start, throwing 7 shutout innings for the Suns, recording 5 strikeouts.  C Derek Norris was 2 for 3 for the Suns.