Orioles minor league recap 7/11: Coby Mayo homers yet again

Delmarva were the lone winners while a few top prospects flashed throughout the system.

Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 7, Norfolk Tides 2

Bruce Zimmermann cruised through four innings, and then things fell apart in the fifth. In that frame alone he allowed all four of his runs, all three hits, and three of his four walks. Vinny Nittoli came in stop the bleeding, and although he did allow two of his inherited runners to score, he would strikeout two to finish up the fifth and return for a perfect sixth. Corbin Martin coughed up one run in his lone inning, and Luis González surrendered two in the eighth.

Both of Norfolk’s runs came on solo homers. Kyle Stowers and Coby Mayo smacked one apiece. Stowers also worked a walk, as did Niko Goodrum and Terrin Vavra. Jackson Holliday and Connor Norby both both went 1-for-4 with a single.

Double-A: Altoona Curve (Pirates) 5, Bowie Baysox 1

Seth Johnson’s time at Double-A could be nearing its end. The righty tossed five innings and allowed only one run on four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. His season ERA is down to 2.84. Nick Richmond worked a clean sixth inning before Levi Stoudt ran into some trouble during his 1.2 frames. Stoudt gave up four runs in the seventh, but only one was earned due to a throwing error by Stoudt himself and a wild pitch.

Jud Fabian drove in Bowie’s lone run with an RBI single in the eighth inning. Dylan Beavers was the only member on the lineup with two hits, both singles. Samuel Basallo went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk. Frederick Bencosme and Connor Pavolony added one hit each. Bencosme also swiped a base.

High-A: Asheville Tourists (Astros) 7, Aberdeen IronBirds 5

Moisés Chace racked up eight strikeouts in his 3.1-inning start while giving up two runs on three hits, including a home run. It’s not a perfect line, but the number of K’s will make you take notice. Later, Edgar Portes was called on for three innings of work and he coughed up five runs on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.

Carter Young led the Aberdeen offense with three hits, including a double and a home run, plus two runs scored. Perhaps the potential the Orioles saw back in 2022 is finally poking through. Jalen Vasquez singled, stole two bases, and scored a run. Noelberth Romero singled twice and scored two runs. Mac Horvath worked a pair of walks and stole a base.

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Lynchburg Hillcats (Guardians) 4

Finally, a winning effort down on the farm! Aneudis Mordán was the star of the day. The catcher had three hits, including a double and a home run, plus two runs scored. Alfredo Velásquez recorded two hits, scored once, drove in a run, and stole a base. Anderson De Los Santos doubled, stole third, and scored a run. Braylin Tavera worked two walks, stole two bases, and scored a run. All of the action on the basepaths made up for Delmarva going just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Riley Cooper delivered three shutout innings while walking three and striking out four. Eccel Correa took the win although he struggled, giving up three runs on four hits, four walks, and a strikeout over three frames. Harif Frias was wild in his two innings, walking four and striking out two. Randy Berigüete snagged his third save with a perfect ninth inning.

Box Scores

Thursday’s Schedule

• Norfolk: at Memphis, 8:05. SP: Justin Armbruester (1-6, 8.23 ERA)
• Bowie: at Altoona, 6:00. SP: Alex Pham (3-2, 5.85 ERA)
• Aberdeen: at Asheville, 6:30. SP: Zach Fruit (2-3, 3.90 ERA)
• Delmarva: at Lynchburg, 6:30. SP: Braxton Bragg (2-3, 4.64 ERA)