Morris shuts down Kinston

For the second straight game, the Potomac Nationals welcomed a highly-touted pitcher back to the home dugout at Pfitzner Stadium.

A.J. Morris made his return Thursday afternoon, following Jordan Zimmermann's rehabilita-tion start Wednesday night.

Morris, the No. 15 prospect in the Washington Nationals' organization according to Base-ball America, fared better than his Major League-counterpart, earning a 6-1 win thanks to five strong innings.

"I just wanted to get ahead of hitters early and try to force them to do something," said Morris, who returned from the Gulf Coast League club after suffering a calf contusion June 3. "The calf is good. That was healed about three weeks ago and I just had to build my arm [strength] back up, get the pitch count up again."

Morris struck out five Kinston hitters and walked none. He also induced eight ground outs to just one fly out.

"He obviously did was he was supposed to do in Florida," P-Nats manager Gary Cathcart said. "He worked on a change-up [also], and that was the best change-up he's had all year. That pitch alone will make a big difference. I think he probably got five or six outs with it today. He didn't have a real feel for it early in the year.

"I don't think it's an organizational thing," Cathcart said, referring to the fact that Zimmermann is improving his change as well. "I just think it's the most im-portant pitch in baseball. If you can throw a change with the same arm speed as your fastball and have it move 10, 12 miles an hour slower [than the fastball], it's the hardest pitch to hit."

Morris (2-2) had his success while adjusting to a new catcher in the middle of the game when starter Brian Peacock was lost to a broken right little finger on a successful steal attempt in the fourth inning.

"[Morris] was great, like he never left," said Robby Jacobsen, who replaced Peacock defensively. "His fastball was running good and that's his game, contact inside. That's what he did today."

Jacobsen moved from left field to catcher, a position he played extensively for nearby George Mason University, the school he was drafted out of in the 22nd round in 2006.

He has appeared behind the plate seven other times this year.

"I caught at the beginning [of the season] more," Jacobsen said. "It's an unfortunate situation to come in like that. But I keep up with catching in the bullpen during the week."

Peacock was taken to a local hospital by ambulance with a compound fracture after second baseman Karexon Sanchez inadvertently stepped on Peacock's hand during a head-first slide.

The 25-year-old Peacock will likely be placed on the disabled list, his second trip to the DL this year, although there is no official announcement. He was hit in the head by a pitch May 30 and suffered a concussion.

"It was not a pretty sight," Cathcart said. "I think he caught it on the guy's foot on the slide. I feel bad for the kid. It's just been one of those years. He only missed a week after getting hit in the head by a fastball."

Cathcart said he is not sure what the catching situation will be during Peacock's absence. Peacock had been serving as the back up catcher to prospect Derek Norris and was catching the afternoon game following a night game. Norris was in the lineup as the designated hitter.

The manager said they may use Jacobsen as the back up now, or the Washington brass could decide to move a catcher from another level to Potomac for the time being.

"I don't know how that's going to work," Cathcart said. "I've got some phone calls to make. I have to get some information."

"This is going to be big," Jacobsen said of the loss of Peacock. "He's a leader in the clubhouse and he'll still be around. Hopefully he'll be back soon."

Staff writer Joe Conroy can be reached at 703-530-3912