Orioles Minor League Rundown: 7-11-15

Charlotte (White Sox) 10 Norfolk 2

The pitching stunk (10 R, 8 ER, 13 H, 5 BBs, 2 HBPs). The offense was derelict in it's duty (just 4 singles vs. 10 Ks). The defense was suspect (an error and a passed ball). Basically, the only thing worth mentioning in this game is that Sharlon Schoop, older brother of Jonathan, made his debut on the mound in the 9th. Sharlon is 28 and has compiled a lackluster .249 / .316 / .343 slash line over 749 games and parts of 10 seasons. I have no idea if putting him on the mound was just a case of having a position player pitch in a blow out in order to save some tax on the 'pen arms, or if it may be a harbinger of things to come. Either way, I'm all on board with finding out if he can pitch. Let's get another pair of brothers on the O's! Oh, yeah...he pitched 1 inning, issued two walks to start out before inducing a ground ball out, followed by a sac fly and a pop out. Not too bad.

Bowie 2 Altoona (Pirates) 4

Trey Mancini was somehow held without a hit, going 0-4. I'm aghast. 4 Baysox had 2 hit games, including Mike Yaz, but the offense did not translate into runs as they GIDP'd twice, stranded 9, went 2-9 w/ RISP and got caught in a rundown between 3B & Home once. Ashur Tolliver made a go at starting. It did not work out here as he allowed 3 ER over 2.2 IP. Richard Rodriguez handled the next 4.1 innings, allowing just 1 ER while K'ing 4 and walking none. Tim Berry worked a scoreless 8th wherein he K'd 2.

Salem (Red Sox) 3 Frederick 2 (10 innings)

Chris Lee had another good outing, going 5.1 innings while allowing just 1 ER via 6 hits and 1 BB. Donnie Hart and Cody Wheeler (which sounds like the non-stage names of an 80's WWE tag-team troupe) each allowed a run. Hart's misfortune came via 3 hits allowed; Wheeler's via 3 BBs issued.

As with the Baysox, the offense was competent enough to hit the ball, but this prowess did not translate into run production. Indy-league find Tanner Witt and Jeff Kemp each had 3-4 efforts. Chance Sisco went 2-4 with a walk. Josh Hart went 1-5 and stole his 7th base. But a 1-7 w/ RISP and 7 LOB, combined with a GIDP and a pickoff put a cap on their run scoring abilities for the night.

Delmarva 6 Hagerstown (Nats) 2

Cameron Kneeland hit an Earl Weaver Special in the 3rd to provide the Shorebirds with enough offense for the night. He finished 1-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored, but added an E5 on defense for good measure. Josh Walker gave up a solo dinger for the only damage to his line on the night: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BBs, 3 Ks.

Gotta cut this short, as I have to get to work. Check out the full lineup of boxscores here.

Today's probables:

Norfolk: (RHP) Kevin Gausman

Bowie: (RHP) Joe Gunkel

Frederick: (RHP) David Hess

Delmarva: (RHP) Matthew Grimes

Aberdeen: TBA