Slugfest Games Can Be Fun Too!
By Rodger M. Wood
I've had thirty-five years of fond memories shooting photos at the old Prince William and Hagerstown Suns fields but yesterday at the new beautiful, state of the art, FredNats stadium I found a new venue for many more years of good times.
Most of FredNats young players are in their first full professional season and were shortchanged out of a year of development in the minors last year during pandemic 2020. They are struggling so far this season against more experienced Low A - teams with a 1-17 W-L record.
It took the young Nats over two weeks to win their first game last Friday 2-1 in a nail biter against the Salem Red Sox and go into Sunday's game against the same team looking for a second win. They showed some punch scoring 3 runs in the third inning, a run in the 4th, 2 in the 6th, 2 in the 9th inning, but unfortunately, the opposing Salem batters kept pace, scoring 14 runs in the game off a less experienced FredNats pitching staff.
Time will heal all wounds. The FredNats have lot of plus players who will blossom as the season goes on.
One of them, 20 year old Dominican 2B Viandel Pena scored 2 runs, got a base hit, and completed a double play in the 5th inning.
Viandel Pena Throws To 1B
20 year old Dominican catcher Geraldi Diaz looked strong behind the plate, and at the plate, hitting two singles and a double in 4 AB.
Geraldi Diaz Strokes a Double in 1st Inning
Batting 3rd in the batting order and playing first base, Alan Berrios had a big day at the plate, driving in 2 rbi in the 4th with a clutch single and adding another single for 2 for 5 day at the plate.
Allan Berrios Drove in 2 RBI the 4th Inning
Making his first Low A start after pitching 98.2 innings in the Rookie DSL and GCL in 2018 - 2019, LHP Bryan Pena pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 runs in the 3rd and 4th, striking out 3 and walking one.
Salem showed a lot of pop in the game. Leadoff hitter and Red Sox 5-tool top prospect, CF Gilberto Jimenez hit a 2-run HR in the 3rd Inning and showed some defense with his speed in centerfield.
In his first 71 AB against Low - A pitching, the 20 year old has shown he is an ideal lead off hitter, getting on base with a 352 BA, driving in 10 RBI, stealing 4 bases, and compiling an 881 OPS.
In 562 AB in 143 minor league games, he's hitting an overall 340 BA, 4 HR, 51 RBI. Watch this young player - he's going to be a special major league player with the Boston Red Sox someday soon.
Gilberto Jimenez Hit a 2-run HR in the 3rd Inning
At the Houston University, and 40 GP with Rookie A - Lowell Spinners in 2019, and 13 GP in Low A - ball this season, Salem Red Sox 1B Joe Davis showed he can hit the ball at a 292 BA, 5 HR, 39 RBI in 192 AB.
He drove in 2-runs with a double, scored 3 runs, and hit 3 for 5 AB in the game today.
Joe Davis Hits a Double in in the Second Inning
Red Sox #3 batter 3B Nicholas Northcut hit a 2-run HR in the 9th, scored 3 runs, and hit 2 for 5 AB and played good defense at the hot corner.
Nicholas Northcut Keeps His Nose Down at the Hot Corner
LF Wil Dalton was the game winning hitter, driving in a run in the 3rd with a double and 3 more runs with a HR in the 7th.
RHP Ryan Zeferjahn started for Salem pitched 3.0 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits. RHP Devon Roedahl 2 innings in relief, allowing a run scored in the 4th, and getting the win.
Devon Roedahl Was the Salem Winning Pitcher
Pitching on both teams needs some game work to get the rust off - only Jacinto Arredondo pitched a scoreless 8th for Salem and RHP Davis Moore a scoreless 5th inning for the FredNats.
Still slugfest games have lots of action, excitement and good times. I'll add this game to my many memories and look forward to the next time I can be at this beautiful FredNats Park.