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Peacock allows one hit for Syracuse

Nationals right-hander goes seven in seventh Triple-A start
August 19, 2011
Brad Peacock felt great in the bullpen. He looked even better on the mound.

Peacock allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings, but didn't factor into the decision as Triple-A Syracuse lost to Gwinnett, 1-0, on Thursday. He struck out six and walked five, throwing 62 of his 108 pitches for strikes.

"The first three innings I cruised," said Peacock. "I had my curveball and change-up working great. I kept the guys off-balance and located my fastball when I needed it. I walked the pitcher [Todd Redmond] twice, but I battled through it."

Despite not being able to take home a win, the 23-year-old was pleased with the outing. "[Considering the walks,] I'll definitely take it."

"Our guys battled their butts off. Their pitcher was a good one. He had a great slider tonight. You win some and you lose some."

Peacock, who was Washington's 41st-round pick in the 2006 Draft, struck out the side in the fourth, setting down Gartrell, Hicks, and Castillo -- all looking.

The outing was a near-identical effort to his July 27 start against Columbus. In that game, Peacock also gave up one hit in seven scoreless frames. He walked four, struck out seven and earned the win in the 2-0 game.

The Nationals' top pitching prospect has allowed one run while striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings of work over his last two starts.

Besides the regular Syracuse fans, Peacock had a personal cheering section in the stands for the strong outing -- his parents. "My father follows me everywhere I go, to all of my starts," Peacock explained. "This was one of the good ones he's seen."

A second-inning single by Brandon Hicks was the only base knock Gwinnett mustered against Peacock.

The Braves tallied the only run of the game in the top of the eighth. After Atahualpa Severino (1-2) retired Matt Young and Wilkin Ramirez, he hit Stefan Gartrell with a pitch and walked Hicks. Wilkin Castillo then grounded a single to right field to score Gartrell.

With the season winding down, Peacock has a few simple goals. "I figure I'll get two more starts," he said. "I just want to keep doing what I'm doing and keep the ball down and not walk too many guys.

"If the September callup comes, I'll be ready," he added. "If not, there's probably a reason for it. I'm not worried at all."

David Schoenholtz is a contributor to MLB.com.