Nationals GCL team advances to finals vs. Phillies
The Nationals are going to the championship. No; not the Washington Nationals in the Major Leagues, but their affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
With a 10-5 win over the Twins in the GCL single-elimination semifinal round, the Nationals advance to the best-of-three championship series against the Phillies beginning Friday in Viera, Florida.
Left-handed pitching prospects Josh Smoker and Jack McGeary, both 19-year-olds, are scheduled to start the series' first and second games, respectively.
The Nationals got two RBI from left fielder Destin Hood, designated hitter Johnathan Ramirez and first baseman Brett Newsome in Thursday's victory over the GCL Twins.
With one-out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Ramirez singled home Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez and Hood for the 2-0 lead. John Higley was hit by a pitch to load the bases again and Stephen Lombardozzi's RBI single put the Nationals up 3-0.
Sandy Leon walked to force in the fourth run of the inning and an error made it 5-0. One out later Gonzalez, batting for the second time in the inning, walked to force home the sixth run and the Nationals never looked back.
Right handed starter Patrick Arnold tossed 5 2/3 innings of six hit, two-run ball to earn the win. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Right handed reliever Danny Gil pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball to pick up the save.
This season marks the first GCL championship series appearance for a Nationals/Expos affiliate since 1996. The GCL Nationals are one of three Washington affiliates that clinched post-season berths this season, joining the Potomac Nationals of the Single-A Carolina League and the DSL Nationals I of the Dominican Summer League.
Leave a comment