Orioles Minor League Rundown: 6-7-14

Norfolk 2 Durham (Rays) 4

With the warmer weather seems to come the knuckle in (RHP) Eddie Gamboa's knuckleball. Gamblor mystified Durham hitters for most of the night, accruing 9 Ks over 7 IP. He got into a bases loaded, no out jam in the 1st after a single, a walk, and a hit by pitch, but escaped with just 1 run allowed via a sacrifice fly. His only other mistake of the night came in the 4th when he allowed a lead off HR to old friend Wilson Betemit. Over his last 3 starts, Gamboa has thrown 20 IP, allowed 5 ER via just 6 hits and 8 walks, and struck out 22. He's on a bit of a roll.

Unfortunately for Eddie, the offense didn't do him much of any favors. 3 players, Francisco Pegeuro, Xavier Paul, and Steve Lombardozzi each had 2 hit nights. But their threats failed to produce runs, thanks in part to two GIDPs and having Julio Borbon thrown out at Home trying to score from 1st on a single.

Bowie 8 Portland (Red Sox) 7

An exciting affair for the Baysox. (LHP) Jake Petit started and proved ineffective, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) over 5 innings. But thanks to some stellar work from the 'pen and the offensive punch of, really, the entirety of the Baysox lineup they managed to come back from 5 runs down to snatch the victory. (LHP) Anthony Vasquez came on for Petit and tossed 3 shutout innings, which allowed the offense the opportunity to get back in the game. Every Baysock who had a plate appearance on the night managed to reach at least once. They managed 2 runs in the 6th thanks to the Portland pitcher losing the strike zone, resulting in 3 walks. Curiously, after two walks to open the inning, Dariel Alvarez came to the plate and popped out to 3B. He would be removed from the game in the bottom half of the inning. Did he tweak something during the swing? Or was it a message from the manager? Anyway, a couple of singles followed and the Baysox had cut the deficit to 7-4. Alvarez's replacement, John Ruetigger, proved instrumental in the comeback effort the next inning as he roped a line drive double into RF to plate 2 more runs. After a sacrifice to move Ruetigger to 3B, the heating up Michael Ohlman came to the plate with the game tied and the infield drawn in. Ohlman would chop a single right back up the middle and plate Ruetigger for the lead. Just 1-4 with a walk on the night for Ohlman, but he has slashed .361 / .429 / .472 over his last 10 games. Christian Walker matched Ohlman's night, going 1 for 4 with a walk as well.

Frederick 1 Myrtle Beach (Rangers) 0 (10 innings)

How YOU doin', (RHP) Branden Kline? 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 11 Ks for him last night, and that effort goes on the short list of Orioles pitching performances on the season so far. That makes 4 consecutive outings of at least 6.2 IP for the Frederick native, with just 6 ER allowed and 24 Ks over that span. He currently leads the Carolina League in innings pitched (77.0) and is 6th in ERA (2.92). His 57 Ks rank him 10th in the league. Nice to see successful seasons for both Kline and fellow Keys rotation mate Parker Bridwell so far. Should they keep their efforts up they could find themselves in Bowie later on this summer.

(RHP) Mychal Givens and (RHP) Matt Price came on to work the final 3 innings, with each striking out 3 while allowing just a single hit. Aside from a brutal 0.1 inning, 7 ER outing vs. Myrtle Beach on May 1, Givens has been really solid. Those 7 ERs allowed account for nearly half of his total allowed runs on the season (15). He's generating tons of grounders by consistently getting on top of the ball with his low arm slot delivery, and holding right handed hitters to a .147 average and a 2.33 ERA over 19.1 IP vs.

All that great pitching must have had the offense mesmerized as they slept-walked through the first 9 innings, generating just 3 hits, 3 walks, and no runs. But a 1 out walk to Jason Esposito was followed by a double from Adrian Marin, putting runners at 2nd & 3rd. Pedro Perez did what was necessary and drove a ball to the outfield far enough for Esposito to tag and score the game's lone run.

Lakewood (Phillies) 4 Delmarva 2 (10 innings)

Another extra innings affair, but this one would be won by the bad guys. With a rehabbing Tommy Hunter in town, the Shorebirds started the game with the bullpen pitching. Williams Louico allowed a run in the first before Tommy came in and pitched a perfect 2nd, K'ing 2 in the process. In the 3rd, the 'starter' Steven Brault came on and showed no signs of bother at coming into the game late. 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BBs, and 6 Ks for him on the night as he continues to plod along in Low-A, awaiting his inevitable promotion to Frederick. Humongous RHP Dylan Rheault (6'9", 245 lbs) came on, but was unable to hold the Blueclaws at bay, allowing 2 runs in the 10th via a hit, a HBP, and a walk.

Much like with Frederick and Norfolk, the offense wasn't up to par for the game. Mike Yastrzemski managed a 1 for 4 with a walk. Drew Dosch and Chance Sisco each knocked doubles. But a 1 for 10 night with RISP kept the Shorebirds from plating runs.

DSL O'sUno 6 DSL White Sox 1

DSL Red Sox 1 DSL O'sDos 3

20 year old OFer Jorge Gil has gotten off to a fast start with a .357 / .438 / .393 slash line over his first 30+ plate appearances. He went 3 for 5 with a double yesterday. 21 year old SS, Richardo Andujar went 3 for 4 with 3 doubles and a walk. 19 year old Curacao-ian (RHP) Wendell Floranus with his 2nd start of the season. He went 5.2 innings, allowed 5 hits and a walk, which led to 2 runs (1 earned), while striking out 4. 18 year old Venezuelan righty Angelo Palumbo came on to work the final 3.1 innings. He yielded just 1 walk while striking out 6.

17 year old (1B) Carlos Diaz continues to put in work, going 1 for 4 with a double and 2 Ks. 2 hits apiece from 19 year old (CF) Carlos Jean, 19 year old (OF) Carlos Rodriguez, and 19 year old ( C ) Alfredo Gonzalez. Do work, youngins! 23 year old (RHP) (and possible heir to a coffee fortune) Juan Valdez went 6 innings and K'd 6, allowing just 2 hits, 1 BB, and 1 ER.

Find the complete boxscores via this link

The probable starters for this lovely, sunny Sunday are as such:

Norfolk: (RHP) Josh Stinson

Bowie: (LHP) Eduardo Rodriguez

Frederick: (?) TBD

Delmarva: (RHP) Sebastian Vader