Ramos homers; Sens and P-Nats win; Upper minors report 8/25

The Chiefs got back on the winning track last night with a 5-0 Syracuse win over Phillies' affiliate Lehigh Valley. Former Washington National Sharion Martis pitched 7.1 shutout innings for the Chiefs and catcher Wilson Ramos hit his 3rd homer for the Chiefs (8th IL HR) while going 2-4. Danny Espinosa went 2-3 and scored as well. (Ed Note, 1:33PM: Tip of the cap to commenter Steve at Natsfarm: Boomer Whiting stole home again, too!) 

Brad Peacock helped Harrisburg continue their winning ways after Milone's strong start Tuesday night. He pitched 5.1 innings and only gave up just one unearned run in a Harrisburg 5-3 win over Red Sox affiliate Portland. Stephen Lombardozzi had an outstanding night, coming a single short of the cycle with 1RBI and 2 runs scored. Harrisburg now has a 1.5 lead over Bowie for a second place divisional playoff spot.

Bill Rhinehart's grand slam blast powered Potomac past Wilmington in a crucial 7-5 win. 2009 4th round pick AJ Morris pitched a scoreless 9th for his first career save. Top prospect Derek Norris helped the cause with an RBI double. The win helped avoid a sweep by Wilmington and pushed Potomac back into first place with a half game lead. Potomac resumes play Friday night with a three game series in Frederick.

Hagerstown summary, links, and key performances after the jump:

Paul Applebee was knocked around for 12 hits and 4 runs in a Hagerstown 4-3 loss to Orioles' affiliate Del Marva. JP Ramirez went 4-5 with 2RBI. Eury Perez continues to be a pest on the basepaths; he had two singles, two stolen bases and a run scored.

• Bob Parsaliti's Hagerstown gamer focuses on missed opportunities and a ninth inning comeback that falls just short. 
• Nationalsprospects.com's Sue Dinem writes about how "Dolla" Bill Rhinehart restored hope after the P-Nats were down 4-0 in the 5th. He also writes the full organizational summary and how a Vermont loss has them clinging to a 1/2 game divisional lead in the New York Penn League.
  
• George Morrow of The Patriot-News writes a gamer focusing on Lombardozzi's big night. He also writes about six midseason promotions from Potomac who are playing big roles in Harrisburg. Lastly, he previews a four game weekend series against Yankees affiliate Trenton.
• (Ed Note: 2:00 PM) DSB has a nice post summarizing Harrisburg's playoff chances and taking a comparing Bowie's and Harrisburg's remaining schedules.

AAA Syracuse:

• Sharion Martis, LSP: (W, 8-7) 7.2IP, 2H, 4BB, 5K (4.18 ERA overall now)
• Fan Fav Boomer Whiting, LF: 1-4, 2R, HBP, 2SB (34 total, Whiting is now 2nd in the IL in steals behind super hyped Desmond Jennings. Whiting has more than 100 fewer plate appearance after starting the year in Potomac)
• Fan Fav Michael Martinez, CF: 1-4, K
• Danny Espinosa, SS: 2-3, R, K, PO, CS, sac bunt
• Wilson Ramos, C: 2-4, R, RBI, 2B, HR

AA Harrisburg:

• Brad Peacock, RSP: (W, 2-1) 5.2IP, 6H, R, 0ER, 3BB, 2K
• Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, RRP: (H, 1) 1.1IP, 2H, 1ER, BB, K, HR (Yes, I jinxed the man. After crowing about how El Duque was doing good things on the gamethread he gives up a solo HR!)
• Stephen Lombardozzi, 2B: 3-4, 2R, RBI, 2B, 3B, HR (After going a single short of the cycle, he now has a .927 OPS in his 14 games and 54 ABs at AA.)
• Chris Marrero, 1B: 1-4, R, fielding error (15th)
• Michael Burgess, RF: 1-4, 3B, RBI, 3K

High A Potomac:

•  Derek Norris, C: 1-3, RBI, 2B, BB, K
• Tyler Moore, 1B: 0-4, K
• Bill Rhinehart, RF: 2-4, R, 4RBI, 2B, grand slam HR
• Jimmy Barthmeier, RSP: 5IP, 7H, 4ER, 2BB, 4K, 2WP (This 26 year old is in Potomac's rotation but seems to be just organizational depth. He did get up of coffee in 2008 with the Pirates and spent virtually all of 2009 rehabbing.)
• AJ Morris, RRP: (S, 1) 1IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 0K 

Low A Hagerstown:

• Rick Hague, SS: 2-5, 2R, 2 2B, 1 throwing error, 1 fielding error (Now 16 errors in 30 Hagerstown games.)
• Adrian Sanchez, 2B: 0-5, RBI, K
• JP Ramirez, LF: 4-5, 2RBI, error (10)
• Destin Hood, RF: 0-4, 3K
• Eury Perez, CF: 2-4, R, K, 2SB (Now 2 behind league leader.)
• Paul Applebee, LSP: (L, 5-5) 6.1IP, 4ER, 12H, 0BB, 4K