The Washington Nationals released outfielder WILLY MO PENA today after he refused his assignment to Syracuse. PENA, 26, has played in over 500 games in the major league with three different teams, Reds, Red Sox and Nationals since 2002.
In addition the Nationals assigned righthanded pitcher GARY GLOVER back to their minor league camp today. GLOVER, 32, pitched for the Chiefs in 1999 and 2000 as a starter.
GLOVER will compete for a bullpen spot in Syracuse.
The Syracuse Chiefs behind excellent pitching and a two-run home run defeated Round Rock (Houston) on Thursday 3-0,
Jordan Zimmerman went 5 innings, allowing only 1 hit and recorded 8 strikouts. Former Toledo Mud Hen Preston Larrison also tossed two shutout innings in relief.
Outfielder Ryan Langerhans hit a solo home run in the 4th inning and Jorge Padilla drove in two runs with a single in the sixth.
Chiefs Lineup:
Ryan Langerhans RF
Pete Orr 2B
Brad Eldred 1B
Justin Maxwell CF
Joel Guzman 3B
Jorge Padilla DH
Leonard Davis LF
Freddie Bynum SS
Mike Vento PH
Javier Herrera C
The Chiefs are home vs the Gwinnett Braves today in Vierra, FL.
The Round Rock Express (Houston Astros) defeated the Syracuse Chiefs on Monday 4-3 in Kissimmee, FL.
The Chiefs lineup consisted of:
Roger Bernadina CF
Mike Vento 2B
Justin Maxwell RF
Brad Eldred DH
Leonard Davis LF
Joel Guzman 3B
Mark Whitney 1B
Jemel Spearman SS
Javier Herrera C
Luke Montz C
Brad Eldred went 2 for 3 with two doubles. Joel Guzman was 2 for 3 with an RBI and Mike Vento had an RBI single. Mark Whitney and Jemel Spearman had the other two hits.
On the Mound Tyler Clippard started and pitched 3 shutout innings allowing only 1 hit. Righthander Bobby Brownlie pitched the ninth giving up the winning run.
The Chiefs take on the Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers) in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday.
Fan favorite program seller Jim Durkin has asked us to pass on some information about a bus trip to Washington, DC to see the Nationals take on the New York Mets.
The trip will take place June 5-7 and the cost is $370 per person per double occupancy. The price includes hotel and baggage handling for two nights, game tickets for Saturday and Sunday, and travel expenses. The hotel is the Holiday Inn Capitol, which is located only minutes from the city's most popular museums and monuments.
For more information, contact Jim or Rose Durkin at 668-8418 or jchief1@aol.com. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required.
The Syracuse Chiefs began their 2009 Spring Training schedule vs the Gwinnett Braves this afternoon at Walt Disney World Complex.
Starting Lineup:
Jorge Padilla LF
Pete Orr 2B
Justin Maxwell CF
Brad Eldred 1B
Leonard Davis RF
Ryan Langerhans DH
Luke Montz C
Joel Guzman 3B
Freddie Bynum SS
Kip Wells P
The Braves had Lefty Jo Jo Reyes start against the Chiefs lineup.
The Washington Nationals looking to create depth in their bullpen signed veteran righthanded pitchers KIP WELLS and JULIAN TAVAREZ this week to minor league contracts. Both could wind up in Syracuse with the Chiefs before earning a promotion to Washington.
WELLS, 31, was injured much of the 2008 season and pitched in only 15 games for the Colorado Rockies and 10 games for the Kansas City Royals.
He was a member of the 2007 St. Louis Cardinals and made 34 starts and was 7-17 with a 5.90 ERA.
TAVAREZ, 35, began last season with the Milwaukee Brewers before finishing the season with the Atlanta Braves. The versitile righthander made 43 relief appearances last season and recorded a 4.71 ERA.
Wells and Tavarez join veterans Josh Towers, Gary Glover, Gustavio Chacin, Wil Ledezma, Jorge Sosa and Jesus Colome as non roster players in the Nationals camp.
