Orioles minor league recap 9/11: Bradfield hits first AA homer in Bowie win

The Baysox won a close contest against Erie while Norfolk was blown out in a loss to Durham.

Triple-A: Durham Bulls 8, Norfolk Tides 1

The Tides fell behind after the first inning and couldn’t get the bats going to keep up with the Bulls. Norfolk starter Tucker Davidson allowed a two-run homer in the top of the first and never bounced back from the rough opening frame. The Bulls got another run in the top of the after a walk, a throwing error and a passed ball.

Davidson would allow a three-run home run in the fifth as Durham extended its lead to 6-1. The final line wasn’t pretty for the 28-year-old, who allowed six runs (five earned) over five innings with five hits, four walks and four Ks. It extends a rough stretch for the former Braves draft pick, who has a 6.82 ERA in seven starts since the beginning of August.

Offensively, the lone Norfolk run came from a TT Bowens solo homer in the top of the second. It was Bowens’ third homer since being promoted to Norfolk and his 15th overall this season. The only other offensive standout was Orioles No. 2 prospect Samuel Basallo. The 20-year-old went 2-4 with a single and a double, putting up his second multi-hit game in his last four contests.

Box score

Double-A: Bowie Baysox 3, Erie SeaWolves 2

Bowie took a late lead and held off a ninth-inning rally to secure a win vs. Erie. The Baysox took an early lead thanks to some of the newest players in Bowie. Enrique Bradfield Jr. led off the game with a walk and moved to second on a walk from Dylan Beavers. Creed Willems then slapped a ball into the left-field corner to score Bradfield and give the Baysox a 1-0 lead.

Alex Pham would give that run back in the bottom of the first, but the Bowie starter was largely excellent on Tuesday. The 24-year-old allowed only two hits after the first inning, and put up 6 Ks over the four innings of work. Dating back to the start of August, Pham has a 1.81 ERA in 39.2 innings while also racking up 36 Ks.

The game remained tied until the 7th when Heston Kjerstad put the Baysox on top again. Making his first rehab appearance at Double-A, the former top draft pick stepped to the plate with Bradfield in scoring position after stealing second. Kjerstad then doubled off the left-field wall to score Bradfield and give Bowie a 2-1 lead.

Bradfield would then provide some insurance in the top of the ninth. With two outs, the center fielder turned on a 3-1 pitch in the middle of the plate, driving the ball over the right field fence for his first Double-A home run. Up 3-1, the Baysox turned the ball over to Dan Hammer for the save with one runner on. Hammer allowed a pair of singles to load the bases and then Gage Workman hit a sac fly to cut the lead to one. With two on and two outs, Hammer fanned Chris Meyers to strand the runners and secure the win.

Box score

Wednesday’s scheduled games

Norfolk Tides at Durham Bulls, 1:05pm ET (Adrian Houser vs. TBD)

Bowie Baysox at Erie SeaWolves, 6:05pm ET (Ryan Long vs. Garrett Burhenn)