Lehigh Valley (Phillies) 7 Norfolk 1 (Game 1)
The month of May has not been kind to (RHP) Mike Wright. Particularly his last 3 starts, which have seen him accumulate 16 ERs over just 11.2 IP. Things did not improve for him yesterday as he yielded 5 ER over 5.2 IP. The first 5 innings went well enough, seeing Wright give up 2 ER via 3 singles, a double, a walk, and a HBP. In the 6th was where things went awry. After a lead off fly out Wright allowed a double followed by an intentional walk. A strikeout brought him to within 1 out of getting out of the jam, but he allowed another double which scored both runs. Another intentional walk was issued, and his afternoon was done. (LHP) Kelvin de la Cruz came on in relief, and allowed one of the inherited runners to score, doing further damage to Wright's ledger.
The offense did not manage to do any favors for Wright, as they generated just 4 hits and 1 run via an Ivan de Jesus home run. (2B) Jemile Weeks and (LF) Steve Lombardozzi each took o-fer's on the day.
Norfolk 1 Lehigh Valley (Phillies) 4 (Game 2)
The teams switched sides for the night cap, as this was a makeup for a game originally scheduled in Lehigh Valley. The Tides offense tried to wake up from their earlier stupor, but were able to get just one of their 13 base runners home safely thanks to a ( C ) Johnny Monel home run. (DH) Brett Wallace and (CF) Julio Borbon each had 2 hit games. Francisco Peguero, his rehab stint rapidly approaching it's end date, did not play either game as he was described as suffering from some tight hamstrings, per the twitter.
(LHP) Jason Gurka was promoted to Bowie earlier in the day and made the spot start. He allowed 2 ER over his 2.2 IP.
Akron vs. Bowie: PPD (Rain)
They will play a double header today.
Frederick 6 Lynchburg (Atlanta) 9
Perhaps (SS) Adrian Marin's bat is developing some. 2 for 4 in this game with 2 doubles. He's slashing .289 / .325 / .421 over his last 10. Not a world beater, to be certain. But useful and encouraging. One of my own old personal cheese ball prospects, (RF) Brenden Webb had a 2 for 3 night with a double, a walk, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored. A ton of athletic talent for him, but it's never come together as a ball player over his 5 previous seasons in the O's system. (CF) Glynn Davis went 1 for 5 with a double and a run scored. He has cooled considerably after his torrid start, slashing just .211 / .286 / .342 over his last 10. Possibly bored at the level?
Nothing of interest occurred courtesy of the three Keys' pitchers in this game, with the exception of each allowing at least 2 ERs during their outings. blah.
Hagerstown (Nationals) 2 Delmarva 7
Finally, some happier news. (RHP) Sebastian Vader tied for the South Atlantic League lead with his 7th Win. He earned it via 7 IP, 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 ERs, and 3 Ks. This marks 3 consecutive starts of 7 innings pitched for him, and his 5th time going 7 out of 9 starts total. Rather impressive. He's had just one outing go less than 6 innings. 'Big' Jon Keller came on to pitch the final 2 innings and earn his second Save of the season.
The Shorebirds offense has been just as good as the pitching. Every starter save one, ( C ) Chance Sisco, had a hit in this game; with 5 having multi-hit games. (RF) Mike Yastrzemski went 2 for 5 with his 6th home run of the season, an Earl Weaver Special in the 7th inning that put the game out of reach. (CF) Gregory Lorenzo went 2 for 4 with a double, his 16th stolen base, and notched his 7th Outfield Assist.
After an incredibly dull and disheartening season last year, this Delmarva squad is the most exciting and interesting affiliate in the O's system this year. That's an encouraging sign for the amateur scouting department, as this team is made up almost entirely of kids brought in under their watch the past two drafts. It's a bit of shame they won't have their first three picks in this upcoming draft (relinquished in the signing of Ubaldo Jiminez, the trade for Bud Norris, and the signing of Nelson Cruz), but I have confidence in their ability to find talent and value starting with the 91st overall selection in this upcoming draft.
Peruse the boxscores as you wish via this link
Today's Probables are listed as such:
Norfolk: (RHP) Eddie Gamboa
Bowie: (LHP) Eduardo Rodriguez in Game 1, (LHP) Anthony Vasquez in Game 2
Frederick: (RHP) Branden Kline
Delmarva: (RHP) Luc Rennie