De La Cruz among top prospect performers Sunday

Reynaldo Lopez is eager to get back to the big leagues.

In his first start since debuting with the Nationals on July 19, Lopez recorded his first shutout on Sunday as Triple-A Syracuse defeated Rochester, 6-0. The Nationals’ No. 5 prospect scattered four hits and struck out seven in nine dominant innings, throwing 69 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

Lopez has been sharp during his brief time with Syracuse, going 2-0 in three starts while posting a 1.80 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 20 innings. Before moving up to the Minors’ highest level, the 22-year-old right-hander pitched to a 3.18 ERA and piled up 100 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings (14 starts) for Double-A Harrisburg.

Though Lopez struggled in his big league debut — he allowed six earned runs on 10 hits against the Dodgers — the hard-throwing righty did showcase his bat-missing skills by punching out nine hitters in 4 2/3 innings, while issuing just one walk.

Lopez has tallied 116 strikeouts in 96 1/3 innings (17 starts) this season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Sunday

• No. 79 overall prospect Hunter Renfroe connected on a three-run home run to lead Triple-A El Paso past Sacramento in game two of a doubleheader. Thanks to seven home runs in his last 16 games, the Padres’ No. 4 prospect is pacing all Pacific Coast League hitters.

• Blue Jays No. 7 prospect Max Pentecost homered and doubled as part of a 2-for-4 performance in Class A …

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