Updates on Lopez, Turner, former Nats and other notes

High Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander Reynaldo Lopez had a tough outing Friday in a 8-4 loss at Myrtle Beach.

Lopez (2-1) lasted only 2 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits with one walk, a wild pitch and two strikeouts.

The P-Nats did crank three homers. Isaac Ballou, Brandon Miller and former Pelican Christopher Bostick went yard, but it wasn't enough as the P-Nats fell to 5-9 versus Southern Division opponents.

Despite the loss, Lopez has still impressed in his jump to high Single-A competition. One major league scout told me Lopez is not afraid to go to his breaking pitches with men on base. Lopez also has an advanced changeup for his age to go with the high-90's fastball.

Similar to Wilmer Difo, the scout said Lopez is an engaging personality, easy to talk to, loves the game and has all the tools to be a star at the top level. Having 6-foot-6 Lucas Giolito paired with the 6-foot Lopez with vastly different arm angles, their 97-98 mph fastballs are incredibly difficult to hit and make baseball life difficult for opponents.

Right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled for Sunday, and right-hander Giolito is expected to start Monday night, both at 6:05 p.m. at Myrtle Beach.
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Former Nationals top pitching prospect Alex Meyer is moving from starter to reliever in the Twins' Triple-A level. Meyer has struggled with his confidence despite still being able to hit 98 mph on the radar gun. The Twins hope the transition to a relief role will take the pressure off the talented hurler.

The 25-year-old Meyer is 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA in eight starts this season. He was acquired from the Nationals in a deal for starting center fielder Denard Span in 2012.

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Triple-A Syracuse lost to Indianapolis 6-4, but starter Scott McGregor tossed 6 1/3 innings with five strikeouts, allowing three runs. Shortstop Emmanuel Burris hit his second homer of the season.

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Double-A San Antonio Missions shortstop Trea Turner has at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 games. He's had three games this season in which he had five or more total bases, and he's had seven multi-hit games since May 4 and 11 since April 18.

Turner has lit up the box score, hitting .336 in 38 games with 10 doubles, one triple, five homers, eight stolen bases and 22 RBIs. The 21-year-old first round selection of the Padres becomes Nationals property in the second week of June as part of a three-way deal that sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to Tampa Bay last offseason.

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Updates on some familiar names to Nationals fans doing work in the American League for Oakland:

Former Nationals minor league speedster Billy Burns is off to a good start for the A's. The center fielder Burns is batting .292 in 18 games. He has reached base in 13 of 18 games and has five stolen bases, four walks, a triple and two doubles.

Tyler Clippard had been the closer for the A's and is 0-2 with a 2.50 ERA with four saves. He has 13 strikeouts in his last 12 innings. The last two seasons for the Nationals, Clippard had a 2.41 ERA and a 2.18 ERA in 147 total appearances.

Left-hander Fernando Abad has gone 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in 21 games for the A's, surrendering a .326 batting average against.

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Double-A Harrisburg left-handed starter Richard Bleier (3-0) was solid in the Senators 1-0 nail-biter over New Britain. Bleier fired eight shoutout innings, giving up only two singles, walking one and striking out seven Rock Cats. He is 3-0, and his ERA dropped to 2.48.

Center fielder Derrick Robinson went 2-for-4 with one RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. His average is now .301.

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With a victory Saturday, the Nationals would have their best 23-game streak since arriving in D.C. They have won 18 of their last 22 games, matching their run in 2012 from July 21 to August 11.