The Baysox swept a double-header, and Aberdeen’s offense erupted for nine runs.
Triple-A: Durham Bulls (Rays) 9, Norfolk Tides 3
Kevin Smith’s difficult time at Triple-A continued as he allowed five earned runs on five hits, three walks, and three strikeouts over four innings. His season ERA jumped up to 5.77. Nick Vespi had a tough time behind him as well, serving up a trio of runs on four hits in just 1.1 innings. Paul Fry had control trouble, giving up a run on two walks and a strikeout over just two-thirds of an inning. On the positive side of things, Adam Plutko and Dusten Knight combined for two scoreless innings.
Norfolk’s bats struggled to convert their opportunities into runs, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. But they did have four extra-base hits. Zach Jarrett hit his ninth homer of the season while Tyler Nevin, Richie Martin, and Adley Rutschman all doubled. Kyle Stowers remains on the hunt for his first Triple-A hit after an 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Always a great night when Zach Jarrett sends one over the fence! His 9th of the year. pic.twitter.com/V4KYvz6ZT7
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) September 9, 2021
Double-A: Bowie Baysox 2, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) 0 – Game 1 – F/7
Gray Fenter set the tone for what would be an exemplary day of pitching for the Baysox. The former Rule 5 pick tossed six scoreless innings, striking out three in the process. Then he handed the ball to Diogenes Almengo, who earned the save with a two-strikeout, no-run seventh inning to close out the win.
Bowie was actually out-hit in this game 6-to-3, but they made those three hits count. Shayne Fontana scored on a Jordan Westburg sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, and then Cody Roberts scored on a wild pitch later in the inning. Patrick Dorrian’s double was the only hit to go for extra bases. Johnny Rizer and Andrew Daschbach added a single each. Rizer also stole his eighth base of the season.
Double-A: Bowie Baysox 1, Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) 0 – Game 2 – F/6
More scoreless baseball from the Bowie pitching staff. David Lebron dominated over his four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five and working around three walks. Ryan Conroy went home with the win, though, after his two innings in which he struck out one and walked one.
Once again, the Baysox were outhit (3-to-2), but they only needed one swing to earn the win. Daschbach led off the fifth inning with a home run. The only other baserunners were Zach Watson (single) and Cadyn Grenier (walk).
The Double-A power surge for Andrew Daschbach continues as he puts Bowie ahead in game two. His 13th of the season and 5th in 18 Double-A games. pic.twitter.com/ApQ880QDgl
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) September 9, 2021
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 9, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) 3
The biggest offensive output of the day came from Aberdeen. Adam Hall led the way with three hits, a stolen base, and a run scored. TT Bowens and Gunnar Henderson both hit home runs. Ramon Rodriguez, Jean Carmona, and Mason Janvrin all doubled.
Aberdeen’s pitching staff was a mixed bag. Brandon Young struggled as the starter, walking six and giving up four hits en route to allowing three runs over 3.1 innings. But his bullpen straightened things out from there with Nick Roth delivering 1.2 scoreless innings, and then Jake Lyons closing out the win with four innings of no-run ball, striking out five in the process.
Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 3
Colton Cowser kept his bat hot with three hits in the Shorebirds loss. Connor Norby added his third homer of the year, and Coby Mayo had a two-hit game. Unfortunately, the rest of the lineup went 0-for-21, although John Rhodes walked twice, and Jacob Teter reached base on balls once.
Connor Norby hits his third home run with Delmarva! A great way to start tonight’s game after last night’s outing. pic.twitter.com/Du63VKOY0y
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) September 8, 2021
The real issue was the defense, which made three errors, two of which came in Fredericksburg’s four-run third inning. Mayo made a throwing error on a ground ball to third base, and then Billy Cook made a throwing error on tossing a ball back into the infield following a double.
Those errors meant that only two of the five runs allowed by the Delmarva pitching staff were earned. Ty Blach started and gave up one run (earned) over two innings. Shane Davis was victim of the clumsy third inning, tossing four innings in total and giving up four runs (just one earned). Preston Price and Daniel Federman combined for three scoreless innings to wrap up the day for the hurlers.
Complete box scores from all of Wednesday’s games can be found here. The Orioles’ Dominican Summer League team was off while Orioles Orange of the Florida Complex League beat the FCL Twins 15-8.
Thursday’s scheduled games
- Norfolk: at Durham, 6:35. Starter: Ofelky Peralta (3-1, 4.94 ERA)
- Bowie: at Harrisburg, 6:30. Starter: Grayson Rodriguez (6-1, 2.76 ERA)
- Aberdeen: at Wilmington, 7:05. Starter: Conner Loeprich (1-4, 7.94 ERA)
- Delmarva: vs Fredericksburg, 7:05. Starter: TBD