Norfolk Tides 6, Charlotte (White Sox) 3
It has to be tough for a Triple-A player on the day of September call-ups if you're one of the ones who was left behind. You know that, essentially, no way, no how, are your big league dreams happening that season. Maybe it's a little easier if you're playing for a team that's competing for a playoff spot in the league. Not as good as the big leagues, but better than cashing a check in last place.
The Tides who didn't make the big leagues played a nice game, particularly rehabbing big leaguer Mike Wright, who held the Knights to two hits over six innings of work. Maybe the Knights hitters were the unmotivated ones. At any rate, Wright only threw 65 pitches in getting through six innings, and the fact that he was pulled when he was may mean his rehab will end and he'll start in Miguel Gonzalez's place on Saturday against the Blue Jays. If that's the case, well, good luck to him.
Shout out to Junior Lake, who doubled in his lone at-bat but also walked three times. A player is allowed to walk three times in one game? That's crazy. I hope someone tells the Orioles.
Altoona (Pirates) 5, Bowie Baysox 2
Starting pitcher David Hess, a fifth round pick from last year, got his first taste of Double-A, and well, it didn't go so great. Hess was tattooed by the Curve for four runs on six hits and two walks in only 3.1 innings of work. That was all the margin that they would need, with their pitchers giving up only two runs combined. The Baysox had eight hits scattered through the lineup but only went 1-5 with RISP; Altoona's batters were 4-10 in those situations.
Bowie still has a magic number of three to clinch their division of the Eastern League. They've already secured a playoff spot regardless.
Carolina (Braves) 8, Frederick Keys 5
The Keys managed to keep this game relatively close despite a struggle by their starter, and also despite an astoundingly bad 1-11 with RISP in the game. How do you do that? Don't watch the big league club too closely these days, fellas. That's no way to run a railroad.
Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Hickory (Rangers) 3
I basically look for two names in Shorebirds box scores: Jomar Reyes is at the top of the list, and Ademar Rifaela is also on the list. Neither of these gentlemen participated in this contest. Reyes has not played since Friday, when he took a bad hop of a ground ball off of the face. Here's hoping he's OK soon.
But Delmarva won anyway, and good for them. One interesting name who does remain, playing in only his fourth game since returning from a foot injury, is catcher Jonah Heim, 2013's fourth rounder, who went 1-3 and drew a walk in the game.
Aberdeen IronBirds 8, Vermont (Athletics) 4
The IronBirds got all eight of their runs in the sixth inning or later, capitalizing on four errors by the Lake Monsters that led to a pair of earned runs and loading up some more offense in a more conventional way otherwise.
2015's third round pick, Garrett Cleavinger, pitched a couple of key innings to hold Vermont scoreless while the Aberdeen hitters rallied. Cleavinger, who as a college reliever figured to be the fastest potential big leaguer from the draft class, has struck out 28 batters in 23.1 innings over 17 games in his pro career. I'm not sure why he didn't get bumped up before season's end, honestly.
Wednesday's Schedule
Norfolk: vs. Gwinnett, 5:05 (doubleheader). Starters: Elih Villanueva, Eddie Gamboa
Bowie: vs. Altoona, 7:05. Starter: Joe "The Gunk" Gunkel
Frederick: vs. Carolina, 7:00. (Wine pairing? OK, whatever) Starter: Mitch Horacek
Delmarva: vs. Hickory, 7:05. Starter: Matthew Grimes
Aberdeen: vs. Lowell, 7:05. Starter: TBD
For complete box scores from Tuesday's games with the Orioles affiliates, take a gander here. Note that there will be no further updates on this page from either the GCL or DSL Orioles, because those seasons are over. I know - it's crazy we made it through the last few days of August without Dan Duquette optioning anybody to the GCL this year. I wonder if he wept about it.