Cole's huge bounceback performance helps rest bullpen (plus minors notes)

Friday night was a perfect second outing for rookie right-hander A.J. Cole. After starting in his first major league game, Cole came in to pitch three string innings in the Nationals' 10-0 shutout over the Padres.

Cole threw 37 pitches and 23 for strikes. He allowed only one hit and recorded nine outs, no runs, a strikeout and no walks. He recorded his first professional save.

On April 28, Cole lasted only two innings and allowed nine hits and nine runs, but only four of those runs were earned. He walked one, had one strikeout and one wild pitch.

Working with Wilson Ramos on Friday, Cole had a pair of 1-2-3 inning. In a game where his team was dominating, he did not have to worry about the outcome, was able to just go out and pitch and show off his stuff. He did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

The Nationals and Cole could not have asked for a better scenario to get him back on track. The organization's coveted pitching depth comes through with a huge positive again and Cole provides the bullpen rest. Cole will now have at least two weeks to pitch with the Nationals, with Doug Fister on the disabled list with right forearm tightness.

* Low Single-A Hagerstown dropped West Virginia 5-2 behind an outstanding pitching performance. Right-hander Austen Williams tossed six innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four. Right-hander Drew Van Orden pitched the final three innings for his first save in his first relief appearance.

Williams is 5-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 37 1/3 innings over seven starts. He has recorded 36 strikeouts and allowed only six walks.

Triple-A Syracuse cruised past Charlotte 9-3 thanks to Matthew Spann's six innings. He surrendered one unearned run, jumping from high Single-A Potomac to make the start. Emmanuel Burris and Ian Stewart each had three RBIs. Stewart crushed his seventh homer of the season.

Mario Lisson had three RBIs in Double-A Harrisburg's 6-5 loss at Trenton. Frederick defeated high Single-A Potomac 4-1.