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Norfolk Tides 4, Durham Bulls 1
The Tides struck first in the third inning and never looked back. T.J. McFarland pitched a solid 4.1 innings (eight groundouts, three strike outs) and the Tides pen kept the Bulls off the board. With consecutive three hit nights, Dariel Alvarez has raised his batting average to .243 from .111...ah, early season stats. Nolan Reimold struck out three times, but also bopped a two run homer and Chris Parmalee ran his on base streak to eight games with a 2-4 effort. Oliver Drake struck out three batters in 1.1 innings.
Bowie Baysox 3, Erie Seawolves 7
Every Baysox pitcher allowed an earned run and they gave out nine free passes on the night. Five of those weer the responsibility of Parker Bridwell, who also struck out seven.
#Orioles Parker Bridwell FB 89-92 T93; CH 80-83 with fade; SL 79-80; cmd issues from head whack/falling off; delivery looks simplified tho
— Tucker Blair (@TuckerBlairON) April 16, 2015
Matt Hobgood came in on relief of Bridwell and was charged with a blown save and the loss. New guy Chris O'Brien tripled, walked and threw out a baserunner, but was also charged with a passed ball. The other new guy, Ben Rowen, allowed his second earned run in three appearances since being traded from the Dodgers. This earned came via the seventh home run he's allowed in his career going back to 2010.
Frederick Keys 2, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3
Mr. Celery had the last laugh as the Blue Rocks walked off against Jon Keller on a Bubba Starling double in the bottom of the ninth. Luis Gonzalez struck out five, but allowed ten baserunners in 5.1 innings. Coming on in relief of Gonzalez in the sixth, Devin Jones made a most inauspicious return to the Carolina League by uncorking a wild pitch and allowing the tying run to score. Jones settled down and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings. Trey Mancini and Austin Wynns each had a pair of hits and a steal. Greg Lorenzo also had two hits, but was caught stealing, though he is (I believe) the system's active stolen base leader. For Drew Dosch's efforts this evening, he was awarded a sombrero made of gold.
Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Greensboro Grasshoppers 5
Another spotty start with some promise, another walkoff loss. Brian Gonzalez allowed eight baserunners (including four walks and a homer) and struck out seven across five innings. The Shorebirds were down a run going into the ninth, but took the lead on a Riley Palmer home run. Logan McGranahan was not able to hold that lead, though, allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning for the loss.
Ale Murphy also homered in this game and is slugging .448 in the young season. Jonah Heim singled and threw out a baserunner.
Full boxscores for Thursday's games are available here.
Today's Probables
NOR: Zach Davies
BOW: Branden Kline
FRE: Jarrett Miller
DEL: Matt Grimes