Norfolk Tides 3, Charlotte Knights 2
Odrisamer Despaigne allowed two earned runs over 5.1 innings and struck out eight. As he is wont to do, Despaigne also allowed a slew of baserunners, so let's not get crazy, here. St. John's College High School grad L.J. Hoes smacked a two run shot, his first of the year, to secure the vic. Christian Walker and Henry Urrutia singled as did the X man in a cameo appearance. Oliver "the Admiral" Drake picked up his second save of the season.
Bowie Baysox 5, Erie SeaWolves 1
Every Baysock reached base in this one as the SeaWolves unsuccessfully deployed the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, seemingly reasoning that the way to defeat the Baysox is to give Trey Mancini (two walks on the night for a second straight game) nothing to hit. Of course, that doesn't relieve one of his responsibility to get outs, though no one seemed to clue Erie hurler Cory Riordan to that fact. The Baysox reached base eleven times against Riordan with Quincy "Le Q" Latimore homering and Garabez Rosa, Lil Yaz and Joseph the Younger doubling. Chance Sisco was also tossed out at second trying to stretch out a single. Latimore also picked up an outfield assist while Lil Yaz swiped his third bag of the year. Jason Garcia notched seven outs via the grounder, but has now walked seven against four strikeouts in his two starts this season. That'll have to improve.
Frederick Keys 5, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1
2014 draftee John Means made four starts at Frederick last year and got knocked around a fair bit. Making his third start of the young season, the lefty from Kansas City held the Blue Rocks to a single run and induced eight groundouts. Perennial project Luis Gonzalez closed the game out for his first save. He has been used exclusively in relief thus far. Centerfielder Jay Gonzalez executed to perfection from the leadoff spot as he doubled, tripled, walked and stole a base. Jomar "Big Jo" Reyes hit his second homer of the season and Erick Salcedo tripled.
Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Greensboro Grasshoppers 5 (10)
The Shorebirds squandered an outstanding outing from Lucas Long and ultimately fell in the 10th. Long went seven strong innings keeping the Grasshoppers off the scoreboard by striking out nine and getting nine more outs via the groundball, good for a 79 gamescore. The Shorebirds offense wasn't terribly active, though D.J. Stewart had his first multihit game of the season and Ricardo Andujar walked twice. Stewart's 2015 draftmates Jay Flaa and Ryan Meisinger were the goats in this one as Flaa facilitated a four run eighth for the Grasshoppers and Meisinger gave up the go ahead run in the 10th.
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Complete boxscores are available here.
Today's Probables:
Norfolk: Nick Additon
Bowie: Jayson Aquino
Frederick: Matt "Grimey" Grimes
Delmarva: Brian Gonzalez