2024 Season
Although the Senators got a talent boost courtesy of the return from injury of Robert Hassell III this week, it was not enough for them to manage their matchup with the division-leading Akron RubberDucks, as they dropped four of six in Ohio. The hitting was mostly non-existent - only three Senators managed to top even a lowly .550 OPS for the week, and just one bested .760. Zoinks! But the show must go on.
Scores & Standings
Akron 9, Harrisburg 2 (Tuesday); Akron 2, Harrisburg 0 (Wednesday); Akron 3, Harrisburg 2 (Thursday); Harrisburg 3, Akron 2 (Friday); Akron 4, Harrisburg 3 (Saturday); Harrisburg 3, Akron 2 (Sunday). Harrisburg is now 20-31 in the season's second half, thirteen games behind the RubberDucks in the Eastern League's Southwest Division.
Pitcher of the Week - Andry Lara, RHP
Lara had a very Max Scherzer-esque start, allowing two solo home runs plus another hit and a walk while striking out six in six innings. It was his tenth quality start as a Senator but was not enough to win him the game, because Harrisburg got shut out on Wednesday. Lara should go to AAA Rochester at a minimum for the final week or so of their playoff push, but could go as soon as tomorrow. Of the eleven possible pitchers in the system who could conceivably start games for the Nats in 2025, I would rank Lara eighth, ahead of Cade Cavalli, Thaddeus Ward, and Jackson Rutledge (whom I believe is best suited to a bullpen role).
Hitter of the Week - C.J. Stubbs, C
You know it was a rough week for the bats when the best hitter was a part-time catcher who garnered ten at-bats across four games, getting four hits and a walk. Cleveland's pitching pipeline is clearly still one of the best in baseball.
Other Notes
Outfielder Andrew Pinckney hit the team's only home run of the week...fellow outfielder Robert Hassell III went 4-for-21 in his return to the Harrisburg lineup...Kyle Luckham, Chase Solesky, and Seth Shuman (acquired three years ago along with Drew Millas and Richard Guasch from Oakland for Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison) all pitched well in their starts, but Dustin Saenz continues to struggle in his return from spending the first three months of the season on the injured list...Daison Acosta punched out four batters in his three scoreless innings, and has to be a candidate to move up when rosters expand...Yohandy Morales thudded back to earth with a 1-for-21 week, striking out 13 times.
Roster Moves
Tyler Stuart moved up to Rochester, replaced by Shuman...Rodney Theophile and Holden Powell were placed on the 60-day injured list, ending their seasons...Hassell was activated...Pinckney is moving to Rochester to backfill Crews's spot on the AAA roster.
Coming Up
The Senators are hosting the Portland Sea Dogs this week, the AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
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