Werth singles in rehab start; Ross solid in Syracuse outing

Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (left wrist) completed a rehab game last night in high Single-A Potomac's 1-0 loss to Myrtle Beach.

Werth went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. He also had to go after a double by Pelicans center fielder Trey Martin in the third inning.

Werth played three innings and reportedly everything went well. Manager Matt Williams told "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan that Werth would be the designated hitter tonight for five innings, and he expects Werth to rehab for at least another week of games before a possible return.

Potomac reported that "Werth's rehabilitation schedule moving forward is to be determined." You would expect the Nationals would want to build up Werth in games and innings before his return to the team.

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Right-hander Joe Ross got the second half of the season off to a solid start with five scoreless innings in a win for Triple-A Syracuse.

Ross allowed only two hits. Matt Grace also gave up only two hits in two innings. Rafael Martin then struck out two without allowing a run in the eighth and Jose Valverde notched the save without a hit, striking out one in the ninth.

Syracuse beat Gwinnett 2-0.

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Matt Skole had a RBI single in the 11th as Double-A Harrisburg dropped first-place Bowie 4-1. Left-hander Richard Bleier pitched seven innings and allowed one run. It was the seventh time this season Bleier had pitched seven or more innings and allowed one run or less.

Chris Bostick scored on Skole's base hit in the 11th and Brian Goodwin came around on a throwing error to make it 3-1. Skole later scored in the inning, following another throwing error by Bowie, and the Senators had their final margin of 4-1.

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Low Single-A Hagerstown catcher Jake Mayers has been placed on the seven-day disabled list. Outfielder Wilman Rodriguez has been activated from the seven-day disabled list.

Hagerstown shut out first-place West Virginia 5-0 on Thursday. Dale Carey went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Connor Bach (3-1) notched the win with six innings of scoreless ball, allowing only two hits and striking out six, but walking four. Robert Orlan, Koda Glover and Jake Walsh finished off the Power with three scoreless innings in relief.