The four affiliates split their games, with Norfolk and Aberdeen prevailing.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 4, Durham Bulls 3 – F/10
It took until the 10th inning for the Tides to get their first lead of the game, and they would just barely hold onto it to get the win on Saturday evening. Something notable here is that Samuel Basallo did not play in a game that began after Gary Sánchez exited the Orioles extra-inning win against the Braves. If Sánchez becomes the latest catcher to hit the IL, someone will need to join the team and help out Jacob Stallings behind the plate.
Vimael Machìn drove in the Tides only runs in the first nine innings. He homered in the seventh to score Jeremiah Jackson. Dylan Beavers added two hits, including an extra-inning RBI, plus a stolen base. Livan Soto had the other RBI. Jackson went 2-for-5 with a run scored. Terrin Vavra doubled and scored a run.
Cameron Weston started the game and turned in a solid effort. Over six innings he allowed just two runs on five hits, five walks, and three strikeouts. The bullpen was terrific behind him. Levi Stoudt, Houston Roth, Colin Selby, and Kade Strowd tossed one inning each, and the only run they allowed was the extra-inning Manfred runner.
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) 3, Chesapeake Baysox 2
Chesapeake had plenty of baserunners and opportunities to score. They out-hit Richmond 7-to-6 and collected four walks. But they went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners stranded on base.
Creed Willems and Douglas Hodo III both had two hits and a walk. Hodo added a stolen base, an RBI, and a run scored. Max Wagner doubled, walked, and scored a run. Jalen Vasquez tripled and drove in a run. Reed Trimble went 0-for-4 but did steal a base.
The Baysox deployed their pitchers in almost reverse order. Trace Bright started but threw only 2.2 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Yaqui Rivera recorded the final out of the third inning. And then it was Ryan Long’s game. He tossed the final six innings and gave up only one run on four hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 3, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates) 2
Pitching was the star for Aberdeen. The four hurlers combined to allow just one earned run and strikeout 11. Zach Fruit pitched for the first time since April due to a lat strain. He was great, throwing four scoreless frames and striking out five. Michael Forret was saddled with both of the runs allowed, although only one was earned. Trent Turzenski nabbed the win with two perfect innings. And Ryan Cabarcas recorded the save.
Griff O’Ferrall led the offense with a double, a triple, and a run scored. Ryan Stafford had two hits as well, including a double, plus a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Angel Tejada singled, drove in a run, and scored once. Vance Honeycutt went 1-for-4.
Low-A: Frederickburg Nationals 7, Delmarva Shorebirds 6 – F/10
Delmarva stormed back from a four-run deficit to tie things up and send this game to extras. But they would only score once in the 10th inning and then allowed Fredericksburg to score twice and win in walk-off fashion.
Nate George had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Luis Almeyda hit his first home run of the season, walked, and drove in two runs. Braylin Tavera singled, walked, and scored two runs. Colin Tuft singled and scored a run. Yasmil Bucce walked and scored a run.
Chase Allsup had a tough night on the mound. Although he did work six innings, he also allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. Chipper Menard followed with two shutout frames. Kenny Leiner came on and worked a clean ninth before allowing two unearned runs in the 10th.
Sunday’s Schedule
Norfolk: at Durham, 6:30 pm. Starter: TBD
Chesapeake: vs Richmond, 1:05 pm. Starter: Nestor German (3-2, 3.79 ERA)
Aberdeen: vs Greensboro, 2:05 pm. Starter: Eccel Correa (0-2, 1.23 ERA)
Delmarva: at Fredericksburg, 6:05 pm. Starter: Yeiber Cartaya (1-4, 4.45 ERA)