Orioles minors 5/11: Affiliates go 1-2, Norfolk's disaster season continues

Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 7, Norfolk Tides 4

Charlotte jumped out to a 5-0 lead after just two innings, but Tides starter Nick Additon managed to get through the brutal start and pitch into the sixth. He ended up allowing six runs (four earned) in 5.2 innings. Richard Rodriguez allowed a run in two innings, and Chaz Roe finished out the game by retiring all four batters he faced. Christian Walker did most of the damage for Norfolk with a 3-run homer, and Trey Mancini added a solo shot. Xavier Avery, Jimmy Paredes, and Corban Joseph each added two hits apiece. With the loss, Norfolk fell to 11-23.

Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) 6, Bowie Baysox 4

Parker Bridwell got the start for Bowie and allowed four runs, two earned, in 5+ innings. It could've been worse: he allowed six hits and five walks with only two strikeouts. That's not going to be good for the FIP. Bowie had four players in the lineup for this game with batting averages below .190, so it's a miracle they even scored four runs. Julio Borbon, forced down to Bowie this year because of the glut of outfielders in Norfolk, went 2-4 with an RBI, and Mike Yastrzemski hit a 3-run shot in the third inning, his sixth homer of the year.

Frederick Keys 7, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Royals) 2

The Keys were able to avoid a winless day for the Orioles' affiliates, thanks to a solid start by 2014 11th round pick John Means (6 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 1 BB). Tanner Scott replaced Means for the seventh and gave up two runs to tie the game at 2-2, despite not allowing a hit - four walks in an inning will do that. Because baseball is weird, Scott ended up with both a blown save and a win, despite not really deserving either.

The Keys scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to re-take the lead, and that was that. Jimmy Yacabonis and Ivan Hernandez pitched a perfect inning apiece to finish out the game. Outfielder Jay Gonzalez was 1-3 with two walks and a 2-RBI double, and first baseman Wynston Sawyer was 2-3 with a walk and a 2-RBI double of his own. Josh Hart was 0-2, lowering his batting average to .150, but he did walk twice and score both times.

Today's Games

12:05 PM: Norfolk (Joe Gunkel) vs. Charlotte

6:35 PM: Bowie (Chris Lee) @ Erie

11:00 AM: Frederick (Matthew Grimes) vs. Hartford

7:05 PM: Delmarva (TBA) vs. Greensboro