Potomac's Hood has two homers; Olbrychowski adds splitter

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- A few news and notes as I take in an early afternoon Carolina League Single-A matchup between the Potomac Nationals and the Salem Red Sox. P-Nats right-hander Adam Olbrychowski has added a splitter to his repertoire. The Pepperdine pitcher has won two of his last three starts and is coming off a career-high eight innings in Friday's win. Destin Hood hit home runs No. 10 and 11 in his first two at-bats. The solo shots off of Salem's Stolmy Pimentel were no-doubt-about-it shots to left field. But the Mobile, Al., native has reportedly been fighting knee inflammation throughout the season. Today, he appears to be favoring the knee and has not looked like he has been able to go 100 percent for balls hit his way in right field. So his two homers have kind of a Kirk Gibson World Series feel to them, as he slowly runs around the bases after his monster home runs. J.P. Ramirez and J.R. Higley are already out with injuries, so the P-Nats are a little thin in the outfield. Harrisburg's Archie Gilbert is available and played yesterday, we will see if they bring him in today. I will check in with manager Matt Lecroy and Hood after the game to see how he is feeling. Pitcher Sammy Solis is out with elbow inflammation and has been on the disabled list for six days.