Orioles Minor League Rundown: 5/3/14

Scranton/WB (Yankees) 6 Norfolk 14

(RHP) Steve Johnson returned to action after dealing with some shoulder inflammation that had kept him on the D.L. since April 12th. He tossed 3 relatively decent innings, allowing 5 hits, a walk, and 2 ER while striking out 4. (RHP) Tim Alderson, (RHP) Josh Stinson, and (RHP) Preston Guilmet each threw 2 innings of relief to finish the game. Guilmet yielded 3 runs, but was only charged with 1 earned in spite of the error that initiated the scoring being of his own volition.

The Tides offense pounded out 15 hits and even managed to draw 7 walks on the night. (3B) Brett Wallace was the star of the game, going 3-5 with a double, a solo HR, and 3 RBI. In his first action since being optioned to Norfolk, (2B) Steve Lombardozzi casually went 2 for 2 with 3 walks drawn.

Erie (Tigers) 2 Bowie 1

With the Baysox rotation currently down 2 starters (Eduardo Rodriguez and Zach Davies) righty Matt Bischoff made another spot start. And a quality one it was: 6 innings, 6 hits and no walks allowed, 2 ER via 2 solo HRs, and 4 Ks. (RHP) Fabio Castillo continued his strong start to the season by tossing 3 scoreless innings in relief. The 25 year old was signed as a minor league free agent this winter, and has posted a 2.04 ERA with 17 Ks in 17.2 IP thus far. The 9 walks and no HRs yet allowed point to some likely regression in his future though.

The Bowie offense put up 8 hits and drew 4 walks, but a 1-for-9 with RISP effort held them to just the 1 run, via a (LF) Kyeong Kang solo HR. (1B) Christian Walker went 0-4, but did draw 1 walk, something he does not do to much of. (CF) Dariel Alvarez went 1-4. And ( C ) Michael Ohlman went 0-2 with 2 walks drawn.

Frederick 1 Myrtle Beach (Rangers) 4

The command just won't materialize for (RHP) Parker Bridwell. 5 innings, 5 more walks. On the bright side, he did hold a stacked Myrtle Beach squad to just 3 hits and 1 ER over those 5 innings. So...progress? Without having seen him, I have no idea. Hopefully some of the prospect writers got a look and will share their observations. (RHP) Matt Hobgood came on to pitch a 1-2-3 6th inning, but then began the 7th by doing this: line drive single, HBP, wild pitch, 2 RBI line drive single. He would allow 1 more run before getting out of the inning.

But the damage was done, as the Keys offense was unable to muster much of any attack against the Rangers' 1st round selection from the '13 draft, Alex Gonzalez. 8 innings of work for him with just 5 hits and 3 walks allowed, while K'ing 5. (CF) Glynn Davis managed a 1-4 with a walk drawn. And (SS) Adrian Marin went 1-3 with a walk and an RBI double.

Delmarva 5 Charleston (Yankees) 6

After 3 rather horrendous starts to begin his season, (RHP) Luc Rennie has now faced this Charleston squad in back-to-back starts. 6 innings with no walks, 3 ER, and 7 Ks last time. 6 innings with no walks, 3 ER (5 R total), and 6 Ks this time.  He's giving up a ton of contact that is landing, but at least he isn't walking any (just 5 over 24.2 IP) while striking out just about 9 per 9. So...optimism is due, perhaps?

Another 2013 1st round selection shut down an O's affiliate. This time it was Ian Clarkin who held the Shorebirds to just 4 hits over 5 shutout innings where he K'd 5. The reliever who came in and allowed 5 runs over 2.2 innings was somewhat amusingly credited with a Hold. Stats are weird. (RF) Mike Yastzemski with a 1-4 night from the lead off position. The 3 Ks are unfortunate there, though. (1B) Trey Mancini and (3B) Hector Veloz each with 2 hit nights, with each knocking 1 double. The catching defense woes continue for the squad from Delmarva, as Austin Wynns yielded 4 steals on 4 attempts tonight, while also allowing a passed ball. oof.

Check out all the box scores and play by play recaps here.

Today's probables are as such:

Norfolk: Suk-Min Yoon

Bowie: Jacob Petit

Frederick: Matt Taylor

Delmarva: Austin Urban