Greensboro Grasshoppers 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 2 (11 innings)
Shorebirds starting pitcher Ryan Berry pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 4 singles and 1 walk, striking out 7. He left the game with a two run lead that was unfortunately blown by the bullpen (gee, sound familiar?). Randy Henry replaced Berry and in the 8th inning gave up 2 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks while recording just 2 outs. Josh Dowdy replaced him and got the final out of the 8th and pitched the 9th and 10th innings without allowing a run. Ryan Palsha took the loss, allowing a solo home run to Brent Weaver in the 11th inning.
The Shorebirds hitters were shut down by Grasshoppers' starter Matthew Montgomery, who struck out 10 and allowed only 4 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings. The Shorebirds scored both runs in the 4th inning when Tyler Stampone hit a two run single to score T.J. Baxter (who'd reached on a single) and Michael Planeta (reached on an error). The Shorebirds had only two hits beyond the 4th inning, both by shortstop Garabez Rosa.
The Shorebirds travel to Hagerstown today to take on the Suns. Jake Cowan (1-0 2.12 ERA) gets the start for the Shorebirds against the Suns' Josh Smoker (0-2 5.40 ERA).
Salem Red Sox 4, Frederick Keys 8
The Keys' offense had a great day, led by 1B Jacob Julius whose three hits included a double and a home run. Xavier Avery and Kyle Hudson each added two hits, including a double by Avery. My favorite guy, LJ Hoes, reached base twice with a triple and a walk. Billy Rowell went 0-3 with a walk and three strikeouts (two swinging, one called).
Kenny Moreland made the start for the Keys and pitched 5 innings. He only gave up three hits and one walk, allowing 2 runs. Sean Gleason followed with two innings, where he gave up 4 hits and 1 run, but he struck out 5.
The Keys and Salem Sox play again today with Rick Zagone (0-1 1.93 ERA) facing Stolmy Pimentel (2-0 1.64 ERA). I'd never root for someone in the Red Sox system, but that is a pretty awesome name.
Akron Aeros 9, Bowie Baysox 12
It was a wild one in Bowie as the Aeros and Baysox combined for 21 runs, 28 hits, and 6 errors. Highly regarded prospect Zach Britton got trounced, allowing 7 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and 3 walks in just 3.1 innings. He was relieved by another Zach, Zach Clark, who pitched 2.2 innings and earned the win despite giving up two more runs. Jim Hoey followed the Zachs with one scoreless inning and Eddie Gamboa was perfect in the 8th and 9th, earning the save.
On offense, every member of the Baysox lineup had at least one hit and five had more than one, with Miguel Abreu leading the team with three. Brandon Waring and Joel Guzman had home runs for the Baysox. Guzman also walked three times.
Defensively the Baysox had a bad day in the field, tallying four errors. Britton threw the ball away in the top of the first inning, allowing the Aeros to put two on with no outs, but a GIDP saved any damage. In the 2nd inning, SS Pedro Florimon made two errors, fielding and throwing, that allowed two runs to score. And in the 3rd inning, 2B Ryan Adams booted a ball but no runs scored.
The Baysox and Aeros face off again tonight and hopefully it'll be a prettier win. Steve Johnson (0-1 3.21 ERA) pitches for the Baysox, Scott Barnes (0-2, 6.57 ERA) for the Aeros. Johnson got knocked around in his last outing, giving up 5 runs on three home runs in 4 innings.
Norfolk Tides 5, Charlotte Knights 3
It was a good night for starter Chris Tillman, who has had his troubles since starting the year. He pitched 8 innings and gave up 3 runs, all of which scored on a home run by Tyler Flowers. Tillman struck out five and didn't walk any. With Bergesen back down at AAA, the competition for the fifth starter is on and hopefully Tillman can continue pitching like he did last night.
Brandon Snyder, who has gotten off to a slow start this year, led the offense with a double and a home run. Michael Aubrey, playing LF, also homered, as did catcher Adam Donachie.
Jake Arrieta (2-0 0.50 ERA) starts tonight for the Tides as they play the Knights again. Arrieta has allowed only one earned run in three starts this season, but he's walked 9 while striking out 12. Bring down those walks, Jake! Carlos Torres (1-2, 3.94 ERA) pitches for the Knights.
All information taken from MiLB.com and Orioles Insider at The Sun.