(Bowie, Maryland) - The Harrisburg Senators and Bowie Baysox will meet for Game five of six in this week’s series. The Senators lead the series 3 games to 1 looking to take tonight’s game and something that they haven’t done in a month and win a series. The Sens last won a series against the Reading Phillies exactly a month ago. The Senators will need to make a better habit of taking three to four games in a series in the second half.
Recent signee Max Kranick will make a rehab start for the Senators and be the opener in tonight’s game. Kranick will likely pitch one inning and possibly go into the 2nd depending how quickly he gets through one. The Chesapeake Baysox hand the ball to LHP Sebastian Gongora, who has been their most consistent pitcher in the month of June.
Lineups for tonight’s game are below. Senators and Baysox for Saturday night baseball in dreary Bowie, Maryland. First pitch is at 6:35.
Harrisburg Senators Lineup: 1. Johnathan Thomas CF 2. Devin Fitz-Gerald 2B 3. Cayden Wallace SS 4. Sam Petersen LF 5. Max Romero Jr C 6. Ethan Petry DH 7. TJ White RF 8. Kervin Pichardo 3B 9. Cortland Lawson 1B
Chesapeake Baysox Lineup: 1. Frederick Bencosme LF 2. Ethan Anderson 1B 3. Aron Estrada 2B 4. Anderson De Los Santos 3B 5. Griff O’Ferrall SS 6. Douglas Hodo 7. Adam Retzbach C 8. Fernando Peguero DH 9. Alfredo Velasquez RF
Probable Pitchers
Harrisburg Senators – Max Kranick 0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Season Stats: 6.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 5K, 2 2/3IP
Recent Form: Kranick is working his way back from elbow surgery and making his third appearance of the season after two appearances at A- Fredericksburg. He’s pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing 3R, 2H, 5K.
vs. Opponent: This will be Kranick’s first game against the Baysox.
Bowie Baysox – LHP Sebastian Gongora (5-3, 3.42 ERA) -
Season Stats: 3.42 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 71K, 68 1/3IP
Recent Form: Gongora has won 3 of his 4 starts in June. He has pitched 20 1/3IP, 8R, 14H, 11BB, 20K in June. He had two very good starts last week against Richmond. He allowed 2R and 6H in 10 1/3 innings against the Flying Squirrels.
vs. Opponent: Gongora has faced 4 members of the current Senators lineup. Cortland Lawson, Caleb Lomavita, Sam Petersen and TJ White all have faced Gongora. Lomavita (3) and TJ White (2) are batting 1.000 in their at bats against Gongora.
Key Storylines/what to watch
Max Kranick, who signed with the Nats in May, is making his way back to the bigs after arm surgery. Max is expected to make a rehab appearance for the Senators tonight.
Senators offense. The Sens have put together three games in a row of solid offensive outputs. Can the Sens sustain a consistent offense and get timely hitting
Washington Nationals Prospects to watch
Thomas Schultz - Schultz has been fantastic coming out of the pen. In the month of June, Schultz has made 9 appearances throwing 12 1/3IP. In that stretch he’s only allowed 1R, 3H, 5BB and 13Ks. Schultz has a very good arsenal of pitches and can get a K when needed with his breaking ball pitch. If Schultz keeps pitching at this level a promotion may likely be calling.
Devin Fitz-Gerald- DFG was 3-5, RBI. The numbers aren’t flashy and the batting average of .150 is not where his talent level would suggest. He’s been in a lengthy slump at the AA level and is due for a breakout. A game like this could be the jumpstart that he needs.