The O’s #2 prospect homered, doubled, and threw out a basestealer.
Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (CWS) 7, Norfolk Tides 6
Things seemed to be going the Tides’ way early on; they scored five runs in the top of the first to storm out to a big early lead. The first four batters of the game reached base, including a David Bañuelos two-run double, and a Maverick Handley RBI single and Shayne Fontana run-scoring grounder completed the scoring.
Unfortunately, as has been a common theme all year for Norfolk, the pitching staff gave up lots of runs, allowing Charlotte to rally back. Starter Bruce Zimmermann allowed only two runs in his first five innings but put the first two batters of the sixth aboard, with reliever Corbin Martin allowing them both to score. Luis González then gave up two runs in the eighth that gave the Knights the lead.
The winning pitcher for Charlotte was Trey McGough, who a week ago was a member of the Tides before the O’s traded him for Eloy Jiménez. McGough pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts against his former club in his organizational debut.
It was strange to see a Norfolk lineup that didn’t include any of the Big Five, who’d been boosting the Tides’ offense all year. Coby Mayo just joined Jackson Holliday with the Orioles, Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby are Marlins now, and Heston Kjerstad hasn’t yet arrived back at Norfolk after being optioned on Thursday. The Tides have suddenly gotten a lot less interesting, with all due respect to those who still remain with the club.
Double-A: Bowie Baysox 3, Somerset Patriots (NYY) 2
It was the Samuel Basallo show for the Baysox as the Orioles’ #2 prospect put up a great all-around performance. At the plate he was 3-for-4, a triple shy of the cycle, crushing a solo home run in the fifth and a tie-breaking RBI double in the seventh. His season OPS is up to .797. Behind the plate, he also threw out a runner trying to steal and has nabbed 27% of attempted base stealers this year. (OK, Basallo did also have a throwing error in this game, but nobody’s perfect.)
Three Bowie hitters — Basallo, Frederick Bencosme, and Alfredo Velásquez — combined for eight of the team’s nine hits. Leadoff man Dylan Beavers took an 0-for-4.
Starting pitcher Cameron Weston tossed a fine game, holding the Patriots to one run in 5.1 innings, striking out six. He lowered his ERA to 3.13 in 16 games for Bowie. After Somerset tied the game in the sixth, relievers Lincoln Henzman and Keagan Gillies combined for three scoreless, hitless innings to allow the Baysox to pull back in front.
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 1, Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) 0 — SUSPENDED
This game was suspended by rain in the middle of the fourth inning and will resume today before the regularly scheduled game. Before the rains came, the IronBirds stole four bases in three innings, including Enrique Bradfield Jr.’s 54th and 55th steals of the year.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 3, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (CHC) 2
The Shorebirds enjoyed a walkoff win, rallying back from a 2-1 deficit in the bottom of the ninth. In all honesty, the Pelicans pretty much handed them the win on a silver platter. After Stiven Acevedo’s leadoff single, the Pelicans committed an error on a grounder to short, then failed to get anyone out on a sacrifice bunt. After that, a bases-loaded walk and a walkoff wild pitch ended it.
Before that, it was a quiet night on offense aside from Kevin Guerrero’s RBI double in the seventh. Delmarva’s best hitter, shortstop Aron Estrada, went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Starting pitcher Yeiber Cartaya made his Low-A debut after coming up from the FCL Orioles. The 21-year-old Venezuelan righty went 3.2 innings, giving up a run on two hits. Jacob Cravey worked 4.1 innings of long relief, allowing one run and striking out six.
Saturday’s scheduled games:
- Norfolk: at Charlotte, 6:05 PM. Starter: Cade Povich (5-1, 3.39)
- Bowie: vs. Somerset, 6:35 PM. Starter: Trace Bright (0-10, 4.50)
- Aberdeen: vs. Brooklyn, 4:35 PM (resumption of suspended game) followed by 7:05 game. Starter: Luis De León (0-2, 5.90)
- Delmarva: vs. Myrtle Beach, 7:05 PM. Starter: Blake Money (3-5, 3.45)