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Team player Goodwin helps Mesa to win

Top Washington prospect doubles, plates a run in 7-0 shutout
October 30, 2013

Brian Goodwin may carry the title of Nationals' top prospect, but he doesn't mind seeing his fellow teammates overshadow him once in a while.

"It's good to see all the guys, especially the Nats, when do they well," Goodwin said. "[Matt] Skole got a hit today, [Steven] Souza got a knock today -- he's been playing well."

Goodwin did his part too with a double and an RBI single in the fifth inning to help Mesa blank Scottsdale, 7-0, in the Arizona Fall League on Wednesday. Fellow Washington farmhand Skole hit a two-run homer in the second.

"Skole is coming back strong," Goodwin said. "He had a little vacation there, but I think he's getting back in swing of things. Next year should be really good for him and for the Nats as a whole system with all of us."

Skole, the Nats' No. 10 prospect, ripped his third homer of the fall off Scottsdale starter Phil Irwin (0-2) to help Mesa stake starter Dallas Beeler to an early 3-0 lead. The Solar Sox got on the board in the first on an RBI groundout by Taylor Lindsey (Angels). Then Goodwin singled home Wes Darvill (Cubs) and scored on Lindsey's single to center in the fifth before Darvill and Jeff Bandy (Angels) delivered consecutive RBI singles an inning later against Cody Hall.

Beeler (3-0) held Scottsdale to a pair of hits over four innings to lower his ERA to 3.86. In four starts, the Cubs right-hander has allowed six runs on 15 hits over 14 frames. He went 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA in nine starts at Double-A Tennessee this season.

Relievers Richie Mirowski (Nationals), Kenny Faulk (Tigers), Seth Frankoff (Athletics) and Mike Morin (Angels) combined for five scoreless frames, with Mirowski allowing the Scottsdale's other three hits over two innings.

"I wouldn't call it a losing streak, but it's good to get back in the win column," said Goodwin. "It feels a lot better to be on the right side. We've just got to keep bringing it, keep playing the same game and hitting the ball hard. We haven't always been finding holes, but today, we got those knocks."

For Goodwin, the goal in Arizona is to build off a season in which he hit .252 with 10 homers, 40 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 122 games with Double-A Harrisburg.

"I've been trying to work on my hitting, fielding and baserunning," he said. "I've got to stick on the same course that I have been on since I've been out here. It's a long season, but I'm trying to stay focused and keep up with all my work and just keep with it."

Goodwin is also looking to better his first taste of the AFL. He played in 20 games last year for Salt River, hitting .238 with three homers, six RBIs and 12 walks in 80 at-bats.

"You're playing with very above-average, very good baseball players," he said. "You've got to know that every day when you step between the lines, you've got to be ready to go. That's no different from last year, it's just reinforcing it. You've got to be ready to compete."

Irwin (Pirates) was charged with three runs on three hits over four innings. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. Yankees prospect Mason Williams doubled -- the only extra-base hit for Scottsdale.

Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com.