The Tides brought the offense and the IronBirds brought the pitching as the O’s affiliates split their four games.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 11, Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 1
This was an excellent all-around game for the Tides, who both hit and pitched brilliantly in an almost exact reverse scenario from the Orioles last night. The Tides pounded out 11 hits, doing nearly all of their damage in a nine-run sixth inning that was capped by a Dylan Beavers grand slam.
A rehabbing Jorge Mateo, playing center field, was a sparkplug in the leadoff spot, reaching base all four times up with three singles and a walk. In true Mateo fashion, he also stole two bases. Newly signed catcher Jacob Stallings drove in two runs. Samuel Basallo, playing first base, was 0-for-3 but walked and was hit by a pitch.
On the mound, starter Thaddeus Ward went 5.2 innings and held Gwinnett to one run. That came on a solo homer by veteran Jurickson Profar, who is preparing to return from an 80-game PED suspension. Erstwhile O’s relievers Yaramil Hiraldo, Grant Wolfram, and Yennier Cano combined for 3.1 hitless innings out of the bullpen.
Double-A: Altoona Curve (Pirates) 4, Chesapeake Baysox 2
The Baysox had a far less productive offensive night than Norfolk, managing only two hits in the game, both singles. Silas Ardoin had one and a rehabbing Tyler O’Neill the other. Chesapeake batters had 11 strikeouts and three walks. It’s kind of amazing they were even able to score two runs. One came on Ardoin’s RBI single and the other on a Carter Young bases-loaded walk.
Braxton Bragg, in his second start back from injury, worked just 3.2 innings and was tagged for three runs on seven hits. He didn’t walk anyone, at least. Altoona’s Termarr Johnson, the #4 overall draft pick in 2022, took Bragg deep. But a tip of the hat to Blake Money, who pitched five innings of long relief and allowed just one run while striking out eight.
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 3, Hub City Spartanburgers (Rangers) 1
Quality pitching led the way for Aberdeen in this one. Intriguing prospect Michael Forret struck out seven batters in four solid innings, and Carter Baumler, Riley Cooper, and Alejandro Méndez followed with five frames of scoreless relief. Baumler earned the win, his first of the year.
The IronBirds scored two runs in the fourth inning without an RBI. A throwing error by Spartanburgers pitcher Mason Molina brought in one, and Austin Overn then scored on a wild pitch. Overn had two hits on the day. Vance Honeycutt was 0-for-3, but the good news is that he didn’t strike out. He also walked twice, including once with the bases loaded.
If you’re an extra-base hit fanatic, I’m afraid you’d be disappointed. All 13 hits in this game — Aberdeen’s six and Hub City’s seven — were singles.
Low-A: Carolina Mudcats (Brewers) 11, Delmarva Shorebirds 3
This was a one-run game until the eighth, but Carolina scored seven times in the final two innings to turn it into a rout. Delmarva pitchers issued an ugly 10 walks along with nine hits. Each of the four Shorebirds hurlers walked at least two. Starter Chase Allsup surrendered four free passes in his five-inning, four-run performance. Ryan Cabarcas was roughed up for five runs in the ninth.
Infielder Nate George continued to be a bright spot for Delmarva. The 2024 sixteenth-round pick went 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs from the leadoff spot and is slashing .356/.406/.593 in 15 games at Low-A.
Sunday’s scheduled games:
- Norfolk: vs. Gwinnett, 1:05 PM. Starter: Cameron Weston (2-4, 4.35)
- Chesapeake: vs. Altoona, 1:05 PM. Starter: TBD
- Aberdeen: at Hub City, 2:05 PM. Starter: Juan Rojas (1-6, 4.10)
- Delmarva: vs. Carolina, 2:05 PM. Starter: Yeiber Cartaya (1-3, 4.38)