Norfolk and Chesapeake were the two winners, but Money stole the show with his start for Aberdeen.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 5, Nashville Sounds (Brewers) 2
The Norfolk lineup isn’t nearly as star-studded now that many of the rehabbing big leaguers have returned to Baltimore, but it still managed to compile 10 hits and two walks to secure this win over Nashville.
Jeremiah Jackson led the way with two hits, including his fourth home run in just eight games with the Tides. Jordyn Adams, Chadwick Tromp, and Vimael Machín also had two hits apiece. Tromp and Jud Fabian each notched a double. Gary Sánchez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. His OPS at Norfolk is 1.365 over 20 at-bats.
Five pitchers were used by the Tides. Cameron Weston was the standout, allowing one run over four innings while striking out seven and walking three. Levi Stoudt earned the win with his two scoreless innings of work. Cionel Perez coughed up a run on two hits, a walk, and a strikeout in 1.2 innings. Corbin Martin got the final out of the eighth inning, and Colin Selby snagged the save with a perfect ninth.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 4, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) 3
Despite going just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the Baysox were able to edge out the visiting Senators by a run on Wednesday night.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. reached base three times—a single and two walks—and stole his ninth base of the season. Creed Willems doubled, walked, and drove in a run. Reed Trimble smacked his third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning that broke a 2-2 deadlock. Anthony Servideo and Douglas Hodo each swiped one base.
Trace Bright started on the mound for Chesapeake and turned in an impressive performance. The righty threw 3.2 scoreless innings and struck out three. Daniel Lloyd served up a two-run homer during his 2.1 innings of relief work. Preston Johnson took the win after 2.2 innings in which he gave up a run on three hits and three strikeouts. Keagan Gillies faced one batter (and retired them) to earn his eighth save of the season.
High-A: Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) 2, Aberdeen IronBirds 1
Blake Money was tremendous on the mound, but was saddled with a no decision. Over seven innings the 23-year-old struck out eight and gave up just one run on three hits and a walk. Kyle Virbitsky worked the eighth inning but was unable to get out of it unscathed. He gave up a home run and was handed the loss.
The Aberdeen offense struggled to string hits together. All nine of their hits were singles, and the went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Their only run came in the top of the first inning, when three of the first four hitters singled to drive in Austin Overn. But then a double play killed any further scoring. From then on things were rather quiet at the plate.
Overn, Griff O’Ferrall, and Leandro Arias had two hits each. Carter Young, Ryan Stafford, and Cole Urman singled once apiece. Stafford and Jake Cunningham both stole their 13th base of the season.
Low-A: Salem Red Sox 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 4
It was a tough outing for Delmarva starter Chase Allsup. Over 3.1 innings of work he allowed six runs on six hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. The three relievers that followed, Simon Leandro, Jared Beck, and Kenny Leiner, combined for 5.2 scoreless innings to give the bats a chance to catch back up.
The Shorebirds lineup made an effort, cutting the deficit down to two runs by the end of the sixth inning, but that was as close as they would get. Their only extra-base hit was a solo homer from Edrei Campos in the sixth inning. Six other hitters had one single apiece. Braylin Tavera reached base three times, including a pair of walks, and stole three bases. Nate George swiped two bags, and Elis Cuevas thieved one.
Thursday’s Schedule
Norfolk: vs Nashville, 12:05 pm. Starter: Trevor Rogers (0-3, 5.61 ERA)
Chesapeake: vs Harrisburg, 6:35 pm. Starter: Ryan Long (2-3, 4.70 ERA)
Aberdeen: at Jersey Shore, 7:05 pm. Starter: Sebastian Gongora (0-0, 2.70 ERA)
Delmarva: vs Salem, 7:05 pm. Starter: Chipper Menard (0-2, 12.91 ERA)