Norfolk 9, Charlotte 0: A gem for the geezer brigade! Freddy Garcia and Mark "Big Hendo" Hendrickson combined to hold the young Sox to four hits. The Porous One K'd six in six innings. The strange thing is that the offense rained extra base hits down on the opposition, but after a couple games off, Jonathan Schoop went 0-4. Luckily, the offense didn't rely on his contribution. Yamaico Navarro doubled and homered and the X Man was 2-3 with a homer and a walk. Old friend Jason Berken gave up three homers and six earned runs in 3.2 IP. Memories.
Bowie 6, Portland 4: Tyler Wilson posted a solid, workmanlike seven inning outing. Wilson allowed four earned runs over seven innings, struck out five, walked one and induced eight groundball outs. Wilson has adjusted to life in the Eastern League well. He's walked five batters in his last season starts. Oliver Drake pitched two nearly perfect innings for his sixth save of the season. Caleb Joseph was 3-4. Christian Walker DNP.
Frederick 5, Myrtle Beach 1: After having allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts, Zach Davies bounced back with a gem. The 20 year old righty threw six shutout innings, striking out eight and walking two in the process. He allowed only two hits. Davies has also struck out 35 over his last five starts spanning 27.1 innings. Michael Ohlman struck his customary double of the evening while the scrappy Tucker Nathans homered and doubled. He must be enjoying this unseasonably cool August (.357/.333/.714 since the first of the month).
Delmarva 5, Greensboro 4: If you squint, you can almost see Greg Lorenzo turning into a real ballplayer. In his recent turn at the top of the order, the Shorebirds centerfielder has terrorized the Sally League and yesterday was no different. Lorenzo went 3-4 with two singles and a triple and got back to do doing that voodoo he does so well with a couple steals. Adrian Marin chipped in a single and a couple walks. The 2012 11th Rounder has slashed .320/.366/.402 in the second half. Creede Simpson also walked twice and singled.
Matt Taylor had a rough outing. The 22 year old lefty walked four and uncorked two wild pitches, though was able to strike out four and induce nine ground outs. Mark Blackmar contributed his third consecutive scoreless outing to close things out for the Shorebirds.
Aberdeen 3, Tri City 9: An ugly affair, to be sure. Offensively, Sam Kimmel had a couple hits and Mike Yastrzemski walked and singled. Hector Veloz is now hitless in his last four games and 4 for his last 35. If you think the hitting was disappointing, I won't go too in depth into the pitching either, except to say that Alexander Santana had another nice outing. Santana K'd two in three shutout innings and has struck out 29 in 21 innings this season.