Solis pitches to form in major league debut (with quotes), plus minor league notes

The Nationals dropped the Mets 8-2 Thursday, handing New York its first loss in 11 games at Citi Field this season. With a 5-2 lead in the sixth, left-hander Sammy Solis made his major league debut, firing two scoreless innings.

Solis tossed 22 pitches, 16 for strikes, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one batter. Facing seven hitters, it was a nice introduction for Solis in a game the Nats provided him with a three-run cushion.

As my colleague Chris Johnson wrote, Solis was "composed and efficient". That is what Solis is when he is on, trusting his stuff and having the ability to get out of jams with men on base. The Nats staff has always believed Solis had major league stuff, but it's all about staying healthy.

Solis is an imposing 6-foot-5 and 230 lbs., and was a second round selection in 2010. He has the opportunity to play an important role out of the left-side of the bullpen for the Nats. Two innings is a good sign that he can be that bridge guy the Nats have been looking for against lefty hitting lineups.

Solis grew up in the organization with top selections Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg. Harper remembered facing him in intrasquad games when they first came up.

"I knew Sammy growing up," Harper said to the media Thursday night. "We knew if he could just stay healthy, he would be a dominant guy in the big leagues. He's got that stuff. He's very electric up there. I'm glad he's on my team because I faced him down in the minor leagues on the other side and it's not fun."

With Strasburg and Solis both attending college in San Diego, Strasburg had a good memory of Solis' stuff while he was at crosstown University of San Diego. He was so pleased to see him finally get a chance and deliver with the Nationals.

"I thought Sammy was great," Strasburg said to reporters Thursday. "You know, I haven't seen him throw in a long time. Probaly last time I saw him throw consistently was in college. His stuff look good. Electric. It's an easy, low to mid-90's fastball and a good off-speed pitch."

Solis said fighting through all the nagging injuries was one thing, but after major surgery like Tommy John, he knew it would take a lot to get back to where he wanted to be as a pitcher. Thursday was the first step to realzing his dream.

"With Tommy John, it's not as scary as a shoulder would be, let's say," Solis said to reporters at Citi Field. "But having your career in a surgeon's hands and then taking a year, year-and-a-half to come back and be able to pitch again. ... It's just exciting. It's exciting to be back where I feel should be and where I think I can be in the future."

And with those injuries, the Nationals decided to put him in the bullpen after being a starter his whole career. How did he like that decision?

"It's different I'll tell you that," Solis said. "It's just a different mindset. Instead of worrying about six or seven innings, you're worrying about one or two. So making that adjustments been different. I wouldn't say it's been hard, it's just been different. I'm asking questions all the time. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and I'm getting the hang of it."

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Shortstop Wilmer Difo did not waste much time getting the call to Double-A Harrisburg. The talented 23-year-old Dominican played well at High-A Potomac, batting .320 with seven doubles, three homers and 14 RBIs in only 75 at-bats over 19 games. His strikeout total is 13, and he has walked eight times.

His fielding percentage was .951 early with three errors, which was lower than his average in 2014 (.965 at SS, .976 at 2B), albeit a small sample size to start the season. Now he will get a chance to see if he can be consistent defensively in Eastern League parks.

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High Single-A Potomac dropped Winston-Salem, 5-4. Shortstop Stephen Perez, just transferred from Harrisburg, began the game with a home run. Catcher Spencer Kieboom had a double later to extend his hitting streak to nine games. First baseman John Wooten, hitting only .208 to start season, had a huge night with four hits and a double. Jake Johansen relieved Dakota Bacus, going 3 2/3 innings for his first win of the season (1-1).

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Tickets for this year's ZiMs foundation "A night at the Park" June 22 have gone on sale. The benefit is hosted by Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and proceeds go to help increase awareness and search for a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Visit anightatthepark.com or zimsfoundation.org for more information.

BREAKING: Tix to this year's @ziMSFoundation A Night at the Park benefit on 6/22 at Nats Park are on sale! http://t.co/bZF5g2UJbb #fightMS

-- A Night At The Park (@anightatthepark) April 30, 2015