In game one of the Nationals’ doubleheader, Josiah Gray shoved. He struck out eight over five and 1/3 innings while giving up one run via a solo homer. His fastball velocity was down a tick, averaging 92.8 mph today, but his curveball induced six whiffs and nine called strikes. Gray is now pitching to a 3.14 ERA in his three starts so far this season.
In the night cap, Joan Adon bounced back strong from his start against Pittsburgh last week. Adon was efficient, had an electric fastball-curveball combo, and he competed through the third time around the order. A rotation decision is around the corner with Anibal Sanchez returning from the injured list soon and Adon just turned in his best start of the young season (there is speculation that he could be sent down to make room for Sanchez, but nothing is has been reported).
Evan Lee, the Nationals’ 18th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, started his second game of the season for the Senators against a Fightin Phils lineup that included the Philadelphia Phillies’ No. 5 and No. 12 ranked prospects in Logan O’Hoppe and Jhailyn Ortiz. Lee worked quickly and commanded the strike zone well over three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. Jackson Cluff, the Senators shortstop, continues to struggle at the plate. In relief, Gerardo Carrillo struggled to throw strikes again – he has seven combined walks and HBP in five innings.
Offensively, there wasn’t much cooking for Nationals prospects. Jeremy De La Rosa homered and both T.J. White and Israel Pineda had 2-for-4 nights.
