Updates on Giolito, Johansen and Ray

Here is a quick glance at three minor league starting pitchers and their progress the last couple of days: Right-hander Lucas Giolito pitched for three innings on Monday for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Nationals, his longest outing of the season, scattering three hits but not allowing a run, with one walk and three strikeouts. Giolito has not allowed a run since his first outing of the season. His totals have climbed to 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 5 1/3 innings, with five hits, two runs, only one earned run, three walks and seven strikeouts. The 2012 first-round selection has not allowed a run in five straight innings. I believe it will not be long before Giolito makes his way to low Single-A Hagerstown as the Nationals continue to ramp up his innings and pitch counts. * 2013 first-round selection, right-hander Jake Johansen has put together an impressive start for the short-season Auburn Doubledays. Johansen has gone 0-0 with a 0.71 ERA in four starts over 12 2/3 innings, with just two hits allowed. Johansen has surrendered only two runs, one earned with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts in that span. He has gone at least four innings in each of his last two starts after combining for 4 2/3 innings in his first two outings. Johansen starts tonight for Auburn at Tri Cities. * Double-A Harrisburg Senators left-hander Robbie Ray went three innings last night against New Britain, giving up six hits, three runs, two earned, one homer, three walks and two strikeouts. Ray pitched to two batters in the fourth. It was his shortest stint in three starts for Harrisburg, but his numbers are still very good. Overall, Ray is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three Double-A starts over 17 innings. Combined with his high Single-A Potomac statistics, Ray is now 8-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 19 starts. He has 148 strikeouts and 48 walks in those 19 games.