Take a ride on the National Express……when your life is a mess – The Divine Comedy

[UKRedSox]

So this is going to be a bit of a slow burner.

My intention is to sim on a daily basis and follow the schedules set for the season, this may change through the seasons due to outside (non-OOTP) commitments like training for half marathons and other stuff that gets in the way playing the greatest game of them all.

I always ponder on who too take, I like to play as a NL team, old style, more strategic baseball.

So a NL team it is, also want to create a bit of history so add the criteria of never to have won the World Series, which narrows it down to four teams of course, the Padres, Brewers, Rockies and Nationals.

I have taken the Nationals, they have never won a pennant, a small part of me still thinks I am taking the easiest challenge of the four but have chosen to disable the option of notand be able to be fired!

[UKRedSox]

Opening Day Roster (last season stats)



SP Stephen Strasburg (14-11/3.14 ERA)
SP Max Scherzer (18-5/3.15 ERA) with Tigers
SP Jordan Zimmerman (14-5/2.66 ERA)
SP Gio Gonzalez (10-10/3.57 ERA)
SP Doug Fister (16-6/2.41 ERA)

The rotation is considered to be one of the best in Baseball, only the Dodgers headed by Kershaw is ranked higher. A combined W/L record of 72-37 for the 2014 season, the White Sox, Mets and Cardinals rotations make up the top five.

RP Matt Thornton (1-3/1.75 ERA) with Yankees & Nationals
RP Aaron Bennett (3-0/2.66 ERA)
RP Jerry Blevins (2-3/4.87 ERA)
RP Casey Janssen (3-3/3.94 ERA & 25 SV) with Blue Jays
RP Tanner Roark (15-10/2.85 ERA) as a starter
RP Craig Stammen (4-5/3.84 ERA)
CL Drew Storen (2-1/1.12 ERA & 11 SV)

Again ranked second behind a NL West team, this time the Padres. Rafael Soriano’s 75 saves in 2013 & 2014 were not brought back so the closer role is given to Drew Storen with Thornton (LHP) and Barrett the setup men with Thornton taking a secondary role as closer if needed.
Casey Janssen brings closer experience from Toronto as fall back having saved 81 games in three seasons north of the border.
Erik Davis is another pitcher who may come into the bullpen mix. After missing the entire 2014 season with TJ surgery Davis is expected back early May and expect extensive work in the minor leagues with a possible September call up depending on innings pitched throughout the May-August period.

C Wilson Ramos (.267/.299/.399)
C Jose Lobaton (.234/.287/.304)

Traded to the Nationals from the Twins in 2010, Wilson Ramos is entrenched the Nationals starting catcher. An injury ridden 2014 saw Ramos play just 88 games but the Nationals expected bigger things from the 27 year old this season. Jose Lobaton starts as backup but may see competition from Dan Butler at AAA (ex Red Sox catcher).
The catching position at ML is ranked 20th but the Nationals have the 30th ranked prospect nationally in Jaskon Reetz who hit .274/.429/.368 in the GCL last season

1B Ryan Zimmerman (.280/.342/.449)

Zimmerman moves to 1B from the hot corner after an injury ridden 2014. Zimmerman replaces Adam LaRoche who signed a $25m contract with the White Sox.
Zimmerman’s backup at 1B is Kevin Frandsen, not much of competition a level below with journeymen Mike Carp and Clint Robinson who had a brief major league call up with the Dodgers.

2B Danny Espinosa (.219/.283/.351)
2B/SS Yunel Escobar (.258/.324/.340) with the Rays

Espinosa is an excellent defensive 2B but lacks offensive skills to push him into that next level of 2B. Escobar was signed as a middle infield utility man backing up at 2B and SS but could see more time if Espinosa struggles with the bat again. Escobar is not the fielder Espinosa is but is capable enough for Danny boy to be looking over his shoulder.

SS Ian Desmond (.255/.313/.430)

Desmond’s WAR has decreased in the last three year but still has pop and the Nationals are expecting improvements offensively as Desmond is in a contract year. Will bat second in the lineup and is backed up by Escobar.

3B Anthony Rendon (.287/.351/.473)
3B Kevin Frandsen (.259/.299/.309)

First full season for Rendon and hit 21 home runs and drove in 83, and expecting more from the young star this season. Frandsen played in 105 games last season will back up at first and third base, is not flashy but a competent utility player.

LF Tyler Moore (.231/.300/.385)
CF Michael A. Taylor (.205/.279/.359)
RF Bryce Harper (.273/.344/.423)
RF Nate McLouth (.173/.280/.237)
CF Brian Goodwin (.219/.342/.328)

With Jayson Werth and Denard Span currently on the DL for opening day Taylor & Moore will start in the outfield with Harper. Maybe the weakest position currently on the Nationals roster but come May it will be strengthened

[UKRedSox]

Saturday 4th April 2015

Mr. Lerner’s expectations for the season were slightly surprising when first read, play better than .500 for a winning record. The team has three consecutive winning seasons with a 277-209 win loss record over that period, prior to 2012 the last winning season was 2002.

Along with the expectation of a winning season he expects:-
1) Upgrade the center field position
2) Extend the contract of SP Jordan Zimmermann
3) Reach the World Series by 2022

The preseason predictions make Tampa Bay & St Louis the teams to win the most games in the regular season with only one player hitting 40+ home runs (Stanton) and no pitcher will win 20 games (Wacha & Pineda 17 will come the closest).

[UKRedSox]

Sunday 5th April 2015 – Opening Night

The 28 other MLB teams sit at home or in a hotel room watching the 29th and 30th teams take centre stage on national TV.

To open the 2015 season we see the Cardinals take on divisional rivals Cubs at Wrigley Field. Cubs have been active in the FA market in the off season with Jon Lester (a three time All Star) and Miguel Montero signed.
The biggest interest is at the hot corner where Kris Bryant the nations number three prospect at the moment gets the start, Bryant hit .295 and 21 HR in 70 games at AAA Iowa last season.

St Louis were not as active in FA in the off season, the sad loss of Oscar Tavares late last year hurt the Cardinals and they dealt Shelby Miller to the Braves for RF Jason Heyward. Another three time All Star will start the game for the Cardinals with manager Mike Matheny giving the ball to Adam Wainwright who posted a 20-9 recording 2014.

In front of 41,110 fans the Cardinals edged past the Cubs 5-4 with Wainwright (1-0) going 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs (2 earned) and striking out 3. Jon Lester (0-1) had a shorter outing lasting 5.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, 5 runs and striking out 8. The game was 5-4 to the Cardinals when it was turned over to the bullpens, neither unit gave up a run, the Cardinals quartet of Walden, Choate, Belisle and Rosenthal (SV) didn’t allow a hit and only one walk.

Notes:

Anthony Rizzo hits the first home run of the season, a 393ft blast.
Kris Bryant goes 0-4 in his professional debut.
Jason Heyward goes 1-4 in his Cardinal debut in RF.

Tigers and Phillies complete the first trade of the season; Phillies receive 1B Victor Martinez and send the Tigers RP Aaron Harang and SS Emmanuel Marrero. Martinez hit .335 with 32 HR and 103 driven in last season for the Tigers, Harang went 12-12 for the Braves as a starter with a 3.57 ERA and will be pitching out of the number 4 spot in the Tigers rotation. Marrero hit .214/.272/.279 with the New York Penn League Williamsport Crosscutters last season and slots in as the number 7 prospect in the Tigers farm system.
With the addition of Martinez, 1B Ryan Howard was designated for assignment by the Phillies and placed on waivers. Howard a known financial burden around Philadelphia’s neck is owed $25m each of the next two seasons with an option of $23m in 2017 (with a $10m buyout).

[UKRedSox]

Monday 6th April 2015

Game 1: Washington Nationals (0-0) v New York Mets (0-0) (Stephen Strasburg 0-0 v Matt Harvey 0-0)
The Nationals start the defense of their NL Eastern title with a 3-0 shutout of the Mets. Stephen Strasburg (1-0) averaged 7 K’s per start in 2014 struck out eight Met batters over 8 innings and scattering 4 hits over those 24 outs. Washington’s new closer for 2015 Drew Storen allowed one hit for his first save of the season.

Zimmerman (2-4) & Harper (1-3) set the Nationals on their way with a 2 run 4th inning off Mets opening day opener Matt Harvey (0-1) who went 7 innings, allowing 7 hits and striking out 7 but wasn’t helped with three errors committed by the Mets, 2 by 3B David Wright.

FINAL – WASHINGTON 3 NY METS 0 (WP Strasburg 1-0, LP Harvey 0-1, SV Storen 1)

Notes:

1B Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers) lasts one AB before been removed from the game with back stiffness, placed on the 15 day DL

C John Jaso (Rays) goes 4 for 4 on opening day in a 13-5 win over the Orioles, drives in and scores 3 runs.

Reigning champions Giants blow a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth to lost 5-3 to the Diamondbacks with Sergio Romo taking the loss and the blown save.

[UKRedSox]

Wednesday 8th April 2015

Game 2: Washington Nationals (1-0) v New York Mets (0-1) (Matt Scherzer 0-0 v Bartolo Colon 0-0)

The Nationals scored early with Michael Taylor (3-3, 2 RBI, 1 R) driving in his two RBI’s in the first two innings. Ageless starter Colon then settled in and pitched five more innings, allowing seven hits and striking out six. The National fans welcomed big FA signing Scherzer to the mound and he was solid through five, faltered slightly by the 8th allowing two runs to the Mets as the lead was cut to 3-2. Drew Storen allowed a leadoff walk to Granderson but then struck out Flores, Dekker flew out to RF and Cuddyer pinch hitting struck out to end the game.

FINAL – WASHINGTON 3 NY METS 2 (WP Scherzer 1-0, LP Colon 0-1, SV Storen 2)

Notes:

Cubs Kyle Hendricks is one out from throwing a 2 hit shut out before been pulled by Joe Maddon, Cubs win 1-0 with Hendricks striking out eight.

Catchers certainly had an eye for the ball, Buster Posey goes 3 for 4 with 2 HR, and Brian McCann goes 5 for 5 against the Diamondback and Blue Jay pitchers respectively.

[UKRedSox]

Thursday 9th April 2015

Game 3: Washington Nationals (2-0) v New York Mets (0-2) (Jordan Zimmermann 0-0 v Jacob deGrom 0-0)

The Nationals start the season with a series sweep of the Mets beating the New Yorkers 7-4. Wilson Ramos hit his first two home runs of the season as the Nationals moved into a 7-2 lead by the fifth inning and had chased Mets starter Jacob deGrom after four. Bryce Harper lifted his BAvg to .455 after going 3 for 4 and driving in one. Zimmermann was lifted after seven innings allowing four runs and still needed Drew Storen for the third straight game to save the game.

FINAL – WASHINGTON 7 NY METS 4 (WP Zimmermann 1-0, LP deGrom 0-1, SV Storen 3)

Notes:

Lonnie Chisenhall (Cleveland) also hit two home runs in a 4-2 win over the Astros, Joey Votto matched Ramos' RBI total of five with a 2-4, a HR and 5 RBI in a 11-1 win over Pittsburgh.

Tampa Bay place James Loney and Desmond Jennings on the 15 day DL.

Philadelphia assign 1B Ryan Howard to AAA Lehigh Valley.

[UKRedSox]

Friday 10th April 2015

Game 4: Philadelphia Phillies (1-2) v Washington Nationals (3-0) (Jonathan Pettibone 0-0 v Gio Gonzalez 0-0)

The first road trip of the season starts with Philadelphia, a short hop away from home, then another relatively short trip to Boston for a mid week game series before heading him.

A change around in the outfield, with McLouth starting in CF and Goodwin getting his first start of the season in LF, Wilson Ramos leads off.

After his 2 HR performance the night before, Ramos goes 0 for 5, Goodwin makes use of his start hitting a 3 run homer in the 6th to overcome a 2-1 Philly lead.

Gonzalez and Pettibone last into 8th and 7th innings respectively, Pettibone striking out 7 but allowing 4 runs. Gio turns it over to Matt Thornton with Storen given a night off after three straight nights of reliving and doesn't allow a base runner in the 9th and the Nationals win their 4th straight

FINAL – PHILADELPHIA 2 WASHINGTON 4 (WP Gonzalez 1-0, LP Pettibone 0-1, SV Thornton 1)

Notes:

Nationals have won their first four games by a total of 9 runs.

Only the Nationals, Yankees and White Sox remain unbeaten, only the Mets are winless.

C Geovany Soto placed on the 15 day DL by the White Sox

[UKRedSox]

Saturday 11th April 2015

Game 5: Philadelphia Phillies (1-3) v Washington Nationals (4-0) (Jermone Williams 0-0 v Doug Fister 0-0)

Manager Matt Williams awoke to grey Philadelphia skies, a quick look at the weather forecast confirmed his fears, the game was in doubt for the scheduled 1:05 EST start time.

Arriving at the ballpark the forecast looked even more bleak and it was confirmed shortly afterwards because of the forecast of bad weather through out the day the game was postponed, meaning a double header will take place Sunday with game 1 starting at 1:05 EST and game 2 at 7:05 EST.

Notes:

The Mets remain winless after leading the Braves 4-0, only to lose 8-7.

Athletics place 1B Ike Davis on the 15 day DL with a mild shoulder strain, he was hitting .133/.316/.133 in the first five games.

Athletics Sonny Gray throws 8 innings, allowing one run and strikes out 6 in a 3-1 Oakland win over the Mariners.

[UKRedSox]

Sunday 12th April 2015

Game 5: Philadelphia Phillies (1-3) v Washington Nationals (4-0) (Jermone Williams 0-0 v Doug Fister 0-0)

Jordan Zimmermann hit a two run HR in the top of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, that score was enough to see the Nationals past the Phillies with the score of 3-1.

A 67 minute rain delay shortened Doug Fister's first start of the season but he looked strong allowing just two hits and striking out five Philadelphia batters. Opposing starter Jermone Williams pitched well but takes the loss as he served up Zimmermann's two run bomb, he struck out seven and allowed just three hits.

The Nationals bullpen close it out from the 7th onwards allowing just two hits, Storen gets the save but it looks like the Nationals will have to make their first roster move of the season as RP Aaron Barrett was taken from the game after the pitching the 7th.

FINAL: WASHINGTON 3 PHILADELPHIA 1 (WP: FISTER (1-0), LP: WILLIAMS (0-1), SV STOREN (4)

--

Game 6: Philadelphia Phillies (1-4) v Washington Nationals (5-0) (Cole Hamels 0-1 v Stephen Strasburg 1-0)

34,409 came to the ball park expecting and hoping for a good old fashioned NL pitching duels between two of the best arms on the senior circuit, they were not disappointed.

Scoreless through five innings the Nationals broke the deadlock with Rendon singling off Hamels and driving in Desmond who had doubled, that's all Hamels allowed. But a decision to take the ball off him after the 8th proved a mistake for the Phillies as the Nats batted around and scored five times to extend their lead to 6-0, a lead Philadelphia could not come back from.

Strasburg pitched eight strong, allowing 3 hits and striking out six, Hamels also pitched eight strong, allowing 7 hits, one run and striking out nine.

FINAL: WASHINGTON 6 PHILADELPHIA 0 (WP: STRASBURG (2-0), LP: HAMELS (0-2)

Notes:

Cardinals place Johnny Peralta on the 15 day DL and call up Pete Kozma from AAA Memphis.

Blue Jay RA Dickey complains of tightness in elbow after winning his first game of the season, a 6-1 decision over the Orioles.

Nationals RP Aaron Barrett expected to be move to the DL after experiencing pain in throwing shoulder (right) during second game of DH v Phillies.

[UKRedSox]

Monday 13th April 2015

First week of the season under the belt, current standings below.





News:

1B Chris Davis (Orioles) takes the AL player of the week award after hitting .500 (10 for 20) driving in 10 and hitting 3 home runs.

1B Joey Votto (Reds) takes the NL player of the week award after hitting .421, 3 HR, 8 RBI in 19 AB's

As reported yesterday RA Dickey reported discomfort after pitching Sunday, today the Blue Jays place him on the 60 day DL and confirm he is out for 14 months as Dickey will have to undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery.

On the back of Dickey's injury Toronto call up Johan Santana who started one game for AAA Buffalo going 7 innings allowing 2 runs and striking out 7

GAME 7: BOSTON RED SOX (4-2) V WASHINGTON NATIONALS (6-0) - JUSTIN MASTERSON (0-1) V MAT SCHERZER (1-0)

Justin Masterson and the Red Sox hand the Nationals their first defeat of the season on opening day at Fenway Park. Masterson pitches a 5 hit shut out striking out only two National batters while Mat Scherzer lasted just 5 and 2/3 innings walking five and allowing two runs. The Nationals bullpen pushed the Red Sox further ahead with Casey Janssen giving up three runs in 2/3rd inning.

FINAL: BOSTON 5 WASHINGTON 0 (WP: MASTERSON (1-1), LP: SCHERZER (1-1)

Notes:

Nationals place RP Aaron Barrett on the 15 day DL and purchase RP Rich Hill's contract from AAA Syracuse as a replacement.

[UKRedSox]

Tuesday 14th April 2015

GAME 8: BOSTON RED SOX (5-2) V WASHINGTON NATIONALS (6-1) - Wade Miley 1-0 v Joran Zimmermann 1-0

Zimmermann goes 7 strong innings for the second straight start, allowing just two runs and striking out six as the Nationals beat out the Red Sox 5-3. Washington never trailed in the game and with two insurance runs in the 6th and 7th, the latter coming off Tyler Moore with his first home run of the season it was enough for the Nationals bullpen to close out the game and Drew Storen get his 5th save of the season, a league leading total.

FINAL WASHINGTON 5 BOSTON 3 (WP: ZIMMERMANN (2-0), LP MILEY (1-1), SV STOREN (5)

NOTES:

San Francisco place Brandon Belt (1B) and Jake Peavy (SP) on the 15 day DL.

Arizona sign ex National Rafael Soriano (CL) to a one year deal worth $1.77m, they option P Allen Webster to AAA Reno to make room for Soriano.

Detroit sign international amateur RF Franklin Reyes from the Domincian Republic to a minor league contract and a $2.44m signing bonus

[UKRedSox]

Wednesday 15th April 2015

GAME 9: BOSTON RED SOX V WASHINGTON NATIONALS - Clay Buchholz 0-1 v Gio Gonzalez 1-0

GAME POSTPONED, second postponment for the Nationals so far this season, been a series finale and an AL team makes organising the make up game a little more challenging.

It was decided an off day in May (the 7th) will suit both parties the best, though Washington will have to travel up to Boston for one day as their off day is sandwiched between a home stand series with the Marlins and Braves coming too town.

Boston have it slightly easier with the Rays visiting before the 7th, and they head up to Canada for an evening game on the 8th.

NOTES:

The Red Sox purchase the contracts of Matt Barnes, Noe Ramirez and Blake Swihart moving Breslow & Hanigan to waivers and Joe Kelly to Pawtucket.

Philadelphia designate for assignment SP Jermone Williams and bring Ryan Howard back to the Phillies after hitting .346 at Lehigh Valley.

Pirates place C Francisco Cervelli on the 60 day DL after he suffered a broken kneecap in a 6-4 loss to the Brewers on April 12th. Cervelli was hitting .294/.429/.647 before the injury and is replaced by Elias Diaz from AA Altoona and the Pirates 19th ranked prospect in their farm system.

[UKRedSox]

Thursday 16th April 2015

GAME 9: WASHINGTON NATIONALS (7-1) V PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (2-7) Gio Gonzalez 1-0 v Ethan Martin 0-0

Ethan Martin's major league debut at SP was definately one to remember as he stiflened the Nationals bats allowing just four hits, striking out five and walking three in 8.1 innings giving the Phillies their third win of the season with a 4-0 shutout of the Nationals.

Gio Gonzalez allowed three run in seven innings while striking out eight, but with no run support the outing came to nought as Gonzalez falls to 1-1.

Philadelphia RF Jeff Francoeur went 3 for 4, driving in 2 and lifting his BAvg to .353 for the season.

FINAL: PHILADELPHIA 4 WASHINGTON 0 (WP: MARTIN 1-0, LP: GONZALEZ 0-1)

Notes:

This is the second time in three games the Nationals have been shutout, before that they had scored at least three runs in a game.

Yankees sign CF Starling Heredia to a minor league contract with a $2.2m signing bonus

Tigers & Rangers place 3B Brendan Harris & RP Shawn Tolleson respectively on the 15 day DL

[UKRedSox]

Friday 17th April 2015

GAME 10: WASHINGTON NATIONALS (7-2) V PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (3-7) Doug Fister 1-0 v Cole Hamels 0-2

The Nationals overcome an early 5-1 deficit on the back of a 4-4 display by 1B Jordan Zimmermann including a three run home run off Cole Hamels in the 5th inning to bring the score back to 5-4. Michael Taylor's first HR of the season tied the game later in the inning then Wilson Ramos hit the game winning HR in the 7th, his third of the season.

Doug Fister lasted just over 3 innings allowing all of the Phillies' five runs and the Nationals did a stellar job allowing no runs and 4 hits in 5 innings while Cole Hamels continued his miserable start to the season allowing 11 hits in 5 innings along with 5 runs, for the season Hamels is 0-2 and a 5.29 ERA & WHIP 1.53

FINAL: WASHINGTON 6 PHILADELPHIA 5 (WP: STAMMEN 1-0, LP: GOMEZ 0-1), SV: STOREN 6

Notes:

Josh Collmenter allows only three on base, pitching a two hit shutout against the Giants, Arizona win 5-0.

Alfredo Simon also pitches a complete game, allowing one hit as the Tigers beat the White Sox 5-1.

San Francisco sign international amateur Vladimir Guerrero Jr, to a massive $6.3m signing bonus.

[UKRedSox]

Saturday 17th April 2015

GAME 11: WASHINGTON NATIONALS (8-2) V PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (3-8) Stephen Strasburg 2-0 v David Buchanan 1-2

Staked a five run in the first aided by Bryce Harper's first home run of the season the Nationals faithful settled by to watch their ace shut down the Phillies.

However the visiting team had other ideas and by the end of the fifth inning the score was 6-4 Washington after Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz had both notched up their own first home runs of the season off Strasburg, Utley's home run chased Strasburg from the game allowing five runs and nine hits in 5 & 1/3.

Again the Nationals bullpen came into the game early and shut down any other threats from the Phillies as they allowed just 4 men on base for the rest of the game and kept in intact a slender Washington lead.

FINAL: WASHINGTON 6 PHILADELPHIA 5 (WP: STRASBURG 3-0, LP: BUCHANAN 1-2, SV: STOREN 7)

Notes:

Day of the pitcher - Tanaka (NYY) pitches a 4 hit shut out beating the Rays 1-0, Kershaw (LAD) pitches a 2 hit shut out (8 innings) beating the Rockies while striking out 11 & Gallardo (Rangers) gets 26 outs in a 2-0 win over the Mariners, allowing three hits.

Four is the magic (or tragic) number - four teams (NYY, CLE, OAK & TEX) have winning streaks of 4 games currently.
CWS, MIN & SEA have losing streaks of four games, in the White Soxs' case after going 5-0, they now sit at 5-4.

Adrian Beltre (TEX) & Miguel Cabrera (DET) are five and nine Home Runs (respectively) from hitting 400 HR's. They have 1 home run (Cabrera) between them in the 2015 season.

[UKRedSox]

Sunday 18th April 2015

GAME 12: WASHINGTON NATIONALS (9-2) V PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (3-9) Matt Scherzer 1-1 v Jonathan Pettibone 0-1

Eight strong innings from Scherzer and a three run HR from Michael Taylor saw the Nationals past the Phillies for their sixth win in seven attempts over Philadelphia.

Scherzer struck out ten (23 for the season), allowing three hits and one run driven in by 3B Cody Asche. The Nationals had three hitters with two hits each with Anthony Rendon coming out of a slump going 2 for 4.

FINAL: WASHINGTON 5 PHILADELPHIA 1 (WP: SCHERZER 2-1, LP: PETTIBONE 0-2)

Notes:

(Notable Transactions)

Andrelton Simmons (ATL) placed on the 15 day DL.
Torri Hunter (MIN) placed on the 15 day DL.
Garrett Richards (LAA) activated from DL.
Bryon Buxton (MIN) number 1 prospect is promoted to Minnesota, currently hitting .239/.326/.565 at AAA Rochester.

Rick Porcello and Corey Kluber join the list of pitchers pitching a shut out this season, both allowed just 4 hits in 10-0 & 3-0 wins over Baltimore and Minnesota respectively.

Minnesota now holds longest losing streak in the league (5) and currently are 4-8.

[UKRedSox]

Monday 20th April 2015



Scheduled day off for Washington, a three day home stand against the Cardinals, then we embark on a ten day road trip, all three opponents on the east coast and within the NL Eastern division.

NEWS:

AL player of the week is awarded to RF Kole Calhoun of the Angels. Calhoun hit .579 with 5 HR and 7 RBI’s

NL player of the week goes to 36 year old Victor Martinez of the Phillies. He hit .500 with 3 runs scored and 5 driven in after he was traded from the Tigers earlier in the season.

Bullpen merry go round: Phil Coke (CHC), Mike Adams (LAD) and Johan Santana (TOR) all demoted from the major league rosters, Santana was DFA and placed on waivers.

NOTES:

Harrisburg Senators 3B Matt Skole wins the Eastern League player of the week after hitting .393 (11 for 28), 3 HR and 5 RBI.

Yangervis Solarte hits his first two HR’s of the season in one game as the Padres pip the Rockies 8-7, Solarte goes 2 for 5, 2 HR, 4 RBI’s and 2 R’s.

NATIONALS MINOR LEAGUE WATCH

International League (AAA Syracuse Chiefs)

Chiefs currently 4-7, 4GB back in the North Division to the Pawtucket Red Sox who hold the best record in the league. Ian Stewart (3B), a former Rockie is currently hitting .343/.378/.771 with 4 HR and 7 RBI.

Sammy Solis (SP) is trying to hold a weak starting rotation together, team starters ERA ranks 10th in the league with a 5.79 ERA, Solis is currently 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 & 2/3 innings and two starts.

Eastern League (AA Harrisburg Senators)

Leading the Southern Division with an 8-3 record, 1 GA of Cleveland affiliate the Akron Rubberducks.

Prospect Watch (ranking in Nationals organisation in parentheses)

A.J.Cole (4) Starter with a 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA, control not the best at the moment with 10/14 BB/K ratio.
Chris Bostick (5) 2B hitting .233/.292/.512 with 7 driven in and 2 home runs in 11 games.
Felipe Rivero (6) Starter who has been lights out so far, 2-0, a 0.64 ERA in 14 innings.
Matt Skole (15) 3B who in 11 games has hit .333/.404/.690 with 4 HR and 6 RBI.
Joe Ross (20) Opening day starter but off to a poor start, 1-1 with a 10.13 ERA, gave up 7 runs in 2.2 innings in last start against Bowie.

Carolina League (A Potomac Nationals)

Leading Northern Division by one game over Lynchburg with a 7-4 record.

Prospect Watch (ranking in Nationals organisation in parentheses)

Lucas Giolito (1) 0-1 in 3 starts for the Nationals, struck out 20 in just over 13 innings of work, leads Carolina League in strikeouts.
Reynaldo Lopez (3) 1-0, 2 starts and a 0.79 ERA, a 3/16 BB/K ratio and a 0.53 WHIP, allowed 3 hits in 11.1 innings.
Nick Pivetta (7) 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA, struck out one more than he has walking in 10.2 innings (5K/4BB).
Wilmer Difo (18) Shortstop hitting .286/.354/.500 with 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB in 42 AB but has committed two errors at SS already.

South Atlantic League (A Hagerstown Suns)

Leading Northern Division by 1/2 game over Greensboro Grasshoppers with a 7-3 record. LF John Wooten currently tie for the lead in BAvg with .429

Prospect Watch (ranking in Nationals organisation in parentheses)

Trea Turner (8) SS hitting .296/.406/.333 with one driven in and three runs in then games.
Spencer Kieboom (11) Nationals top rated catcher off to a slow start hitting .200/.273/.433 in 8 games.
Tony Renda (16) 2B hitting.313/.395/.469 with 5 driven in, scoring 7 runs.
Pedro Severino (17) getting more playing time then Kieboom at the moment and showing the management why, hitting .326/.348/.535 with a home run and 8 RBI’s.

[UKRedSox]

Tuesday 21st April 2015

WASHINGTON NATIONALS V ST LOUIS CARDINALS (Jordan Zimmermann 2-0 v Carlos Martinez 1-0)

Another strong outing from Jordan Zimmermann and the Nationals' bats getting to Martinez early in the game was enough for Washington to take game one of this series by the score of 6-4.

Zimmermann scattered nine hits and four runs over eight innings striking out five and walking two. Martinez lasted just four innings allowing four hits, four runs and five walks which were his un-doing.

Slow starting Anthony Rendon went three for three with his first HR of the season.

Drew Storen closed out the game with his 8th save of the season striking out the Cardinals in the ninth.

FINAL: WASHINGTON 6 ST LOUIS 4 (WP: ZIMMERMANN 3-0, LP: MARTINEZ 1-2, SV: STOREN 8)

NOTES:

Nate Schierholtz (TEX) goes 4 for 4 with 5 RBI and 2 HR in a 9-3 Texas win over the Diamondbacks.

Twins top spec Bryon Buxton's cup of coffee doesn't last long, he doesn't even get an at bat as he is moved back to AAA Rochester as Oswaldo Arcia is brought back from the DL

[UKRedSox]

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

WASHINGTON NATIONALS V ST LOUIS CARDINALS (Gio Gonzalez 1-1 v Lance Lynn 0-1)

Neither starter made it to the fifth inning with the score 6-5 to the Cardinals at the end of the fifth. Combined they allowed ten runs and eleven hits in their short outings.

Left to the bullpen the Cardinals' arms held their nerve allowing just one run while the Nationals five RP allowed six further hits and 5 runs to lose the game 11-5.

FINAL: ST LOUIS 11 (6-9) WASHINGTON 5 (11-4) - WP: BELISLE (1-0), LP: GONZALEZ (1-2)

NOTES:

Two was the magic number - Cardinal and National number two hitters (Mark Reynolds & Ian Desmond) combined for seven hits, five RBI's, five runs and two HR's.

West is the best - Two west coast teams hold the best records in the senior and junior circuits at the moment, Oakland and surprisingly San Diego are both 13-4.