Around the Minors 9-5-11:

Norfolk finished their season on an up note, beating Durham 8-5.  Josh Bell went 2-4 with a double and a K.  Brandon Snyder went 1-3 with 2 Ks.  Cole McCurry gave up 1 earned run in 3 innings, giving up 6 hits and striking out 2.  Wynn Pelzer gave up 1 earned run in 1 inning giving up 2 hits and 1 walk, striking out none.

Though it didn't matter as Richmond won to clinch the final playoff spot, Bowie beat Erie 3-2 in a game called in the 9th.  Xavier Avery went 0-1 with 3 walks and a K and a CS.  LJ Hoes went 0-4 with a K, starting off in LF and finished the game at 3B.  Joe Mahoney went 1-4.  Caleb Joseph went 1-3.  Ronnie Welty went 1-3.  Though not really a prospect, it should be noted that Tim Bascom really had a strong year, as the 26 year old threw 130 innings with an ERA of 3.11.  It'll be interesting to see if he gets an invite to spring training.  Jose Diaz faced 3 hitters in the 9th, giving up a hit, 2 walks and an unearned run.  The game was delayed by rain and called after that even though runners were on first and second with nobody out.  Kind of a strange way to end a season.

Frederick lost their regular season finale 3-0 to Wilmington...hopefully things can be turned around for the playoffs.  Glynn Davis made his Frederick debut and went 1-4 with a K.  Jonathan Schoop went 1-4.  Manny Machado went 0-4 with 3 Ks.  Randy Hendy went 1.2 innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out 1.  Jason Gurka pitched a scoreless inning, striking out 1.

Delmarva lost to West Virginia 5-4.  Johnny Ruettiger went 1-5.  Ty Kelly went 0-4 with a walk and committed his 10th error on the season.  Michael Ohlman went 1-5 with a strikeout.  Matt Bywater had a really nice start, striking out 10 in six innings, yielding one run on 5 hits (a solo homer) and 1 walk, posting a GB/FB of 5/2.  He finishes the season with an ERA of 3.77 with a K/BB of 51/32 in 45.1 innings.  Not to make a small sample even smaller, but in his last 31.2 innings, the K/BB ratio is 41/19.

Around the minors will continue this week as the Keys are going to the playoffs.  Frederick hosts the first 2 game of the series against the Potomac Nationals Wednesday and Thursday, and then plays in Potomac Friday through Sunday.  Tickets can be purchased through their website.  This might be Manny Machado's last few meaningful games until he signs with another team after leaving the Orioles as a free agent.  Of course, maybe for him he'll be traded after 4 years of service.  There's always hope.