Around the Minors: 5/25/13

Norfolk 2, Lehigh Valley (Phillies) 4

Now this is the Zach Britton we pine for. 7 IP, 7 H, 2 BBs, 2 R (1 ER), 8 Ks. 91 pitches, 61 strikes. 8 Groundouts to 2 Flyouts. Now just do that 2-4 more times in a row and you may well reclaim a major league rotation slot, Zachary. It looks as if Jake Arrieta may be a denizen of the bullpen now. He came on in relief. He didn't fare so well. However, he didn't fare as badly as his line of 1 hit, 2 walks, 1 wild pitch, and 2 runs (1 earned) over 1 IP would indicate. Let's look at the recap of what transpired in the 8th:

• Ground out, 1-3
• BB
• Ground out Fielder's Choice, 1-4
• Runner on 1st steals 2nd base
• Infield single on a groundball to SS. Throwing error by the SS allows the runner on 2nd scores.
• Runner on 1st steals 2nd base
• BB. Passed ball allowed runner to advance from 2nd to 3rd
• Wild pitch allows both runners to advance
• K

Nothing hit hard, or, even out of the infield for that matter. The defense did him no favors, committing an error and a passed ball. Who knows where the fault lies in regards to the two stolen bases. Jake likely bears some responsibility there, but we have no idea how much. The catcher, Luis Exposito, did allow a total of 4 SBs on the day along with 2 passed balls. So factor that in. Anyway, my heart aches for Jake. Keep your 'he's just a head case' remarks to yourself. It's a tired complaint. Onto the offense...

Little Jerome reached base twice in four plate appearances. Once via basehit and once via walk. He also swiped his 4th bag of the season. Brandon Wood, in addition to his 8th inning throwing error mentioned above, went 1-4 and drove in both Tides' RsBI. He's been pleasantly encouraging thus far in his brief 13 game run as a member of the O's org.

Trenton (Yankees) 5, Bowie 4

Eddie Gamboa finally returned to action after 10 days off due to weather delays (and, likely, sidework in the bullpen) pushing back his start. Results were, as usual, mixed. 5+IP, 6H, 2ER, 5Ks, and 2! Pickoffs (pretty good!). 3BBs, a Balk, and a HR allowed (not so good). 54:34 strike:ball ratio is about what to expect control-wise. Clay Schrader came on with 2 outs in the 9th after Tom Boleska loaded the bases. He ended up hitting the first batter he saw, which tied the game at 4. Then he walked the next batter he saw, giving Trenton the lead. Blah.

Henry Urrutia went 0-4, but did draw an IBB. There were two outs and a runner on 2nd. So with 1st base open, the RHP decided to take his chances with the RHB (and currently .136 hitting) Brandon Waring due up next. The gambit paid off, as Waring K'd for the 32 time in his 25 games played thus far.

Salem (Red Sox) 2, Frederick 3

Joesph Gordon-Levitt clone Zach Davies didn't have swing and miss stuff, but he did get the job done in a satisfactory manner. 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 walk, 1 earned run (via a Home Run), and 3 Ks is a perfectly cromulent start for the youngster against a pretty deep and talented Salem squad. Christian Walker went 2-4. He is now slashing .314/.364/.412 over 12 games with the Keys. However, he does sport 11 Ks to just 3 BBs. Brenden Webb repeated his line from 2 days ago. To wit: 1-3, w/ 1 HR and 2 RsBI along w/ 1 K. His batting average is now above .200!

Delmarva 2, Greensboro (Marlins) 3

Josh Hader has been getting a bit of pub' recently. Both Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America featured write-ups on him last week. Yesterday wasn't a particularly great start for him though. 5.2 IP, 8 H (1 HR) and 3 BBs led to all 3 Runs (2 Earned). Lex Rutledge came on in relief, and though he walked 2 and K'd none over 2.1 IP, he did induce 5 groundouts (including 1 Double Play) and 1 infield popout. Pretty sweet work by him.

Adrian Marin went 1-2, with 1 BB and his first professional Home Run! Congrats, kid!