Norfolk Tides 0, Gwinnett Braves 2
After a long string of tough starts, Mike Wright seems to finally be getting the drift of the International League. Wright was the hard luck loser after allowing an earned run in seven innings, but has allowed only five earned runs in his last four starts. He allowed 20 in his previous four.
The Tides were 0-7 with RISP. Christian Walker and Julio Borbon each had a couple singles while Quintin Berry walked three times.
Bowie Baysox 4, Trenton Thunder 1
Tim Berry has been on a roll. The former 50th rounder allowed one run over six innings and struck out four. Berry only allowed seven baserunners. Oliver Drake picked up his 25th save of the season and has notched 33 over the past two while striking out 95 batters in 75.1 innings. Drake is 27, but I'd be curious to see if he could hack it at Norfolk.
Garabez Rosa had a pretty sweet game. The Dominican utility man had three singles, two steals and a run. Sort of makes sense as the Baysox were at Trenton and Rosa slashes .300/.330/.515 on the road. Mike Yastrzemski and Glynn Davis each pulled o-fers.
Frederick Keys 5, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2
Mark Blackmar took a no hitter into the seventh, but had it broken up on a Raul Mondesi homer. Overall, Blackmar struck out three batters and allowed three baserunners while inducing twelve groundouts. Blackmar's ERA has decreased every month since April and he's been pretty outstanding since June. Lex Rutledge picked up his third save of the season and has allowed only one earned run in his last eight appearances.
Along with Garabez Rosa, Jason Esposito is one of the formerly well-regarded prospects in the system that has made a bit of rebound this year. Esposito had another fine day with a double, a single and a run driven in. The work he's done against lefties this year has been outstanding (.372/.407/.619). Trey Mancini singled, doubled and homered and is slugging .512 in his last ten games.
Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Lakewood Blueclaws 3
Why is Drew Dosch still in Delmarva again? Why is Steven Brault? We may never know. Dosch singled and doubled today and his OBP on the season continues to hover around .400.
Usually known for his defensive prowess, Austin Wynns had a pretty sweet game with the bat. The Fredno State alum doubled twice and mashed an Earl Weaver Special. After a few off games, Chance Sisco had his first multihit game in a week spreading out three singles over the course of the game to keep his OBP on the season over .400. Anthony Vega tripled and was repsonible for your outfield assist of the day (the 46th Shorebirds assist, if you're keeping score).
For his part Brault allowed seven baserunners and struck out five in seven inings of work. Brault also coaxed twelve groundball outs out of his frustrated opponents.
Aberdeen Ironbirds 10, Jamestown Jammers 4
The Ironbirds broke out for a six run fourth inning and never looked back. The fourth saw Austin Anderson, one of the best hitters on the Ironbirds, hit his first professional home run. Hector Veloz and Riley Palmer would also homer in that inning. Jay Gonzalez also managed to get on base twice without getting thrown out trying to steal. Banner day for the I-birds.
Stephen Tarpley continued his streak of quality starts which now stands at four. Tarpley struck out four and seemed to also have received the organizational memo on the importance of the groundball. Yet another Orioles farmhand would finish his day with twelve groundouts.