Orioles Minor League Rundown: 4/12/14

Norfolk 2 Charlotte (White Sox) 4

Baserunners a'plenty for the Tides, but feet on the dirt failed to translate into feet crossing the plate. 0-9 with RISP and 12 LOB will tend to do that. With another multi-hit game ( C ) Caleb Joseph continue to ravage International League pitching. He is now slashing .367 / .387 / .567 on the young season. Keep at it, Caleb and we may well get to see you in Baltimore at some point this season. However...he'll need to tighten up his defense if he wants to realize this dream. One SB allowed on one attempt and a Passed Ball allowed as well on the night. These things will happen. Just don't allow them to happen with much frequency. (CF) Julio Borbon socked a dinger, hit a single, and drew a walk. (2B) Jemile Weeks and (SS) Alexi Casilla each swiped a bag.

(LHP) T.J. McFarland got the start and performed admirably over his 5 IP. He threw 81 pitches, 50 for strikes, and induced 9 ground outs to but one flyout while K'ing 5. Just 3 hits and 2 walks allowed, along with a HBP. But none of those baserunners were allowed to 'Pass Go', as it were, as T.J. kept the scoreboard showing zero in the Runs column. The same could not be said for (RHP) Eddie Gamboa or (LHP) Kelvin de la Cruz, each of whom yielded 2 runs. Gamboa struggled with his control, walking 2 and hitting another batter. de la Cruz struggled with getting hit around, giving up 3 hits (one of which was a HR) in the 0.1 inning he was credited with pitching. Cruz has had his struggles early on so far, with this marking his 2nd 'blow up' performance.

Bowie 5 Akron (Cleveland) 6

(RHP) Zach Davies was already having a rather poor start (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BBs, 1 ER, 1 K) when he took a line drive off the arm and had to leave the game. X-rays came back negative and, thankfully, Zach is listed as day-to-day for the time being. The liner evidently hit off his elbow rather than the wrist or forearm where it could have done more significant damage. (RHP) Matt Bischoff came on in relief and didn't have it. 7 hits and 3 walks allowed over 4.1 IP resulted in 4 ER.

A mixed bag behind the dish for ( C ) Michael Ohlman. Yes, he committed his 2nd PB of the young season. But he also threw out the only runner to attempt to steal on him. And who knows how his pitch calling contributed to the Rubberducks' offensive output. At the plate he managed a 1-4 performance with a run scored. He also reached on an Error. He was also doubled off 2nd on a line drive to the SS. (2B) Garabez Rosa put together a 4-4 day with a double.

Lynchburg (Atlanta) 8 Frederick 1

Hard times continue for the Keys as they drop their 5th straight. In spite of getting a combined 5-8 out of 1 and 2 hitters (CF) Glynn Davis and (RF) Brenden Webb the Keys were unable to arouse much of any other offensive output. Webb even added a SB and an OF Assist on the night. Forgettable day for (2B) Joel Hutter as he K'd thrice and committed 2 Errors. The Keys offense has now K'd 85 times on the season and walked just 22 times. Surprisingly, that's not even the worst ratio in the Carolina League. They are, however, the only team in the league to have been caught stealing more often than they have successfully stolen a base. (RHP) Jesse Beal started. (RHP) Mark Blackmar relieved. And (RHP) Gene Escat finished the game. None of them pitched particularly exceptionally.

Greensboro (Marlins) 7 Delmarva 1

Hit or miss day for (RHP) Sebastian Vader. 10 hits allowed over 6 inning, but also 7 K's induced (6 of those swinging). The 4 ERs Vader yielded were more than enough for Greensboro, as the Shorebird offensive failed to muster much of any response. 12 Ks on the day and 0 walks drawn. That ain't a good ratio, folks. The top of the order, (CF) Gregory Lorenzo and (RF) Mike Yastrzemski combined to go 1-8 with 5 Ks. Lorenzo did steal a base. And Yaz chalked up another OF Assist. So there's that.