Giolito throws five scoreless innings in latest GCL start

Lucas Giolito is starting to pile up consistent starts. The Gulf Coast Nationals right-hander pitched five more scoreless innings today, allowing two hits, two walks and striking out five, with one wild pitch. He faced 18 batters, inducing four groundouts and four flyouts. The GCL Nats won the game 2-1, but Giolito did not factor into the decision. The GCL Nats are now 40-6 (.870), the best record at any level of professional baseball. He has now allowed only one earned run in 14 straight innings over three starts. Giolito tossed only 8 2/3 innings over his first five games. Giolito is starting to build up longer outings with four, five and five innings pitched in those three most recent starts. Overall, that is eight starts and 22 2/3 innings for Giolito and his ERA has dropped to 2.78. The Nationals have not ruled out moving him up to short-season Single-A Auburn or possibly low Single-A Hagerstown. But he could also just as well finish out the campaign with the GCL Nats. * Tyler Moore is hitting .333 over his last 10 games for Triple-A Syracuse. He has five doubles, one triple, one homer, five walks and only seven strikeouts in this span. Overall, Moore is hitting .318 with eight homers and 43 RBIs in 41 minor league games. He hit .151 in 42 major league games this season. But in the minors, he has 157 at-bats compared to only 106 with the Nationals this season. So that was one part of the plan, to get him consistent at-bats at Triple-A, and when he does he has proven his ability to be consistent. Now the question is will that translate back to the majors. I would believe it would with consistent at-bats. Unfortunately, without an injury or roster change, Moore won't be back with the big club until September roster expansion.