Norfolk Tides 5, Charlotte (White Sox) 0
This is a good way to get things started. The Knights of Charlotte had no answer whatsoever for the knuckleball of Eddie Gamboa. They only had two hits in his six innings of work, and Gamboa helped himself by only walking one batter while he was in the game. Throwing strikes has been a problem for him, but it was not on Friday.
You're going to end up winning every game where you don't give up any runs. Still, the more you score, the easier you can breathe. Norfolk was helped by solo home runs hit by Chris Parmelee and Dariel Alvarez, their fifth and seventh of the year, respectively. Nolan Reimold had two hits, including a double, for the Tides. Catcher Audry Perez had himself a night too, throwing out Charlotte's Leury Garcia in two of his three attempted steals and picking Garcia off another time as well.
Bowie Baysox 5, Portland (Red Sox) 3
Bowie faced off against a major league rehabbing ringer, Justin Masterson, early on in the game, and they managed to get eight hits against him in the 4.2 innings that he worked. Masterson left the game with a lead, however, as Sea Dogs left fielder Keury De La Cruz hit a three-run home run off Parker Bridwell in the first inning of the game. Those were the only runs allowed by Bridwell, who worked his way out of jams in other innings. Bridwell gave up three runs on ten hits and two walks in 5.2 innings of work.
The Baysox made the most of a Portland error in the eighth inning, jumping out for three unearned runs that gave them the victory. Ozzie Martinez, Brandon Snyder, Garabez Rosa, and Quincy Latimore all had multi-hit games.
Wilmington (Royals) 5, Frederick Keys 1
The Keys were only out-hit 10-9 in the game, and did not commit any errors, so it seems the Blue Rocks had timely hitting while Frederick did not. They scored their lone run in the sixth inning, driven in by designated hitter Tucker Nathans, who had two hits in the game. Nathans is OPSing .875 for the Keys, which is good for him, but also, he's 26, so, you know. Adrian Marin also had two hits.
Catcher Chance Sisco threw out one of four would-be base stealers and also picked off some poor sap.
Kannapolis (White Sox) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 3
Last year's top Orioles draft pick (third round, but still) Brian Gonzalez gave up five runs in six innings, but only three of them were earned. He served up two home runs in the game, both solo shots. They were two of the six hits he allowed.
Three of Delmarva's nine hits were courtesy of left fielder T.J. Olesczuk, who also stole a base. Another two of the hits were from Conor Bierfeldt, who drove in another run to increase his season RBI total to 47. Both of his hits were doubles. He is OPSing .810 for the Shorebirds. Jomar Reyes, perhaps the only real position player prospect on the roster, went 1-4 and had a walk.
You can find complete box scores of yesterday's games, including the adventures of both Dominican Summer League Orioles teams, here.
Saturday's Probable Pitchers
Norfolk: Chris Jones
Bowie: TBD
Frederick: TBD
Delmarva: Matthew Grimes