Norfolk was the only winning O’s affiliate on a rare Monday of minor league games.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 3, Durham Bulls (Rays) 2
In a rarity, all O’s affiliates were in action on a Monday, which normally is a day off throughout the minors. (All teams will instead be off on Sunday the 7th.) The Tides were the only winners, scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth to break a one-all tie, thanks to solo homers by Jackson Holliday and Kyle Stowers. For Holliday, the homer was his eighth of the year and his first since returning from the injured list. And Stowers, who earlier this week broke the Norfolk franchise home run mark, extended his record with his 54th career shot for the Tides. It’s time for this guy to get a long MLB audition somewhere, even if it’s not with the Orioles.
The big story of this game was on the mound, where Chayce McDermott unfurled one of his most dominant starts ever. He worked seven full innings for just his second time as a professional and racked up a career-best 12 strikeouts. The Bulls managed just three hits against him. One word: dominant. I’ve been skeptical about McDermott’s chances of helping the O’s rotation, considering his ongoing walk issues (5.1 BB/9 this year), but after this performance I’m ready to take my chances and call him up to replace Cole Irvin. We’ll see if the Orioles feel the same.
Nolan Hoffman got the last out to earn the save. The 26-year-old right-hander has made 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run.
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) 4, Bowie Baysox 2
There was little offense to speak of for the Baysox, who were blanked for seven innings by Richmond starter John Michael Bertrand. They did finally rally with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a double, three straight walks, and a run-scoring wild pitch, but Silas Ardoin struck out with the tying run in scoring position to end it. Bowie’s three outfielders — John Rhodes, Jud Fabian, and Dylan Beavers — combined for all four of the team’s hits, including two by Beavers. Samuel Basallo went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Starter Ryan Long went five innings and gave up two runs apiece in the second and fifth, though relievers Cody Scroggins and Nick Richmond each worked two scoreless frames to keep the game from getting out of hand.
High-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates) 8, Aberdeen IronBirds 6
In their first matchup of the year against Greensboro, the IronBirds fell behind early and could never quite catch up. Each of the four Aberdeen pitchers was scored upon, with starter Michael Forret giving up four of them, though only two were earned thanks to a Carter Young error at second base. Pirates #6 prospect Mitch Jebb was a one-man wrecking crew for the Grasshoppers, reaching base five times, homering, driving in four runs, and stealing two bases.
The IronBirds’ nine hits were split between seven players, including two-hit days for both Reed Trimble (who doubled and homered) and Mac Horvath. Trimble, whose career has been slow to get off the ground because of injuries, is red hot for the IronBirds, batting .296/.409/.563 in 23 games. Leadoff man Enrique Bradfield Jr. went 1-for-5.
Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 1
For the second time in four games, the Shorebirds offense was nearly on the wrong end of a no-hitter. The Nationals were just one out away from history before Aron Estrada singled with two outs in the ninth for Delmarva’s lone knock. The single also drove in their only run, scoring Braylin Tavera, who had walked. Estrada, who’s batting .289 with a .787 OPS, continues to be the Shorebirds’ best hitter (which is not a high bar to clear, honestly).
Shorebirds starter Trey Gibson had a rough outing, giving up four runs in 3.2 innings. The big blow against him was a bases-loaded triple by Elijah Green, the #5 overall pick in the 2022 draft and the Nationals’ #6 prospect.
Tuesday’s scheduled games:
- Norfolk: vs. Durham, 6:35 PM. Starter: Carlos Tavera (1-1, 7.36)
- Bowie: vs. Richmond, 6:35 PM. Starter: Kyle Brnovich (5-2, 3.88)
- Aberdeen: vs. Greensboro, 7:05 PM. Starter: TBD
- Delmarva: at Fredericksburg, 7:05 PM. Starter: Nestor German (1-2, 1.16)