Norfolk Tides 2, Buffalo (Blue Jays) 1
One of those facts of life is that the Orioles suck against Drew Hutchison and this is apparently also true for their Triple-A affiliate. Hutchison held the Tides to five hits in six innings and struck out eight batters. However, a Hutchison throwing error led to two unearned runs on the same play. The Tides ended up winning the game without actually getting an RBI.
Norfolk's starter was T.J. McFarland, who scattered seven hits over 7.2 innings of work. This was a weird outing because McFarland did not strike out any of the 30 batters he faced. He issued one walk, and the lone run he gave up was a solo home run. Behind him, the Tides defense turned three double plays, which helped his cause a lot.
Erie (Tigers) 4, Bowie Baysox 3
Much like what happened at the MLB level on Sunday, the Tigers Double-A affiliate rallied late in the game to beat the Baysox. A great start by David Hess - five hits, two walks over six innings, with only one run allowed - was not rewarded with a win. Ashur Tolliver gave up a run behind Hess and then Eric Fornataro gave up two runs in the ninth as the SeaWolves walked off Bowie.
For the 22-year-old Hess, it was another good start in a strong beginning to his 2016 campaign. Hess has now started seven games this season and is sitting pretty with a 2.33 ERA.
A roster move of note to make here. Henry Urrutia has been demoted from Norfolk to Bowie, while outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who drove in two of Bowie's runs today, is getting a promotion up to Norfolk. Through 33 games at Bowie this year, Yastrzemski is batting .268/.361/.449. I'd say that's worth kicking him up a level.
Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 8, Frederick Keys 5
Lucas Long, the Keys starter, is my fellow Camden Chatter Stacey's favorite Orioles prospect. Sorry to tell Stacey that it was not a good day for Long, who struggled mightily on the day, giving up seven runs - five earned - on ten hits over only 4.1 innings of work. That proved to be too great of a deficit for the Keys to be able to close as the game went along.
They were able to battle to make it closer, however. A particular star of the game was outfielder Jay Gonzalez, frequently mentioned in this spot. Gonzalez was 3-5 with a double and he stole two bases as well - now with 22 of those on the year to go along with his .301 batting average.
The Keys were running freely on Pelicans catcher Cael Brockmeyer. They had five stolen bases on the day.
Delmarva Shorebirds 3, Greensboro (Marlins) 2 (11 innings)
The Shorebirds grabbed a run in the ninth inning to tie the game and send it to extra innings and scored another one in the 11th to win it. You've had something of a lucky day when you can win a game while only getting six hits. Three of the six came off the bat of Steve Laurino, who drove in the tying run in the ninth. The Shorebirds were helped by drawing eight walks.
Last year's third round pick, Garrett Cleavinger, pitched the top of the 11th inning to pick up the win. Cleavinger struck out all three batters he faced. The 22-year-old Oregon product, a lefty reliever, was seen as possibly the fastest mover out of the O's 2015 draft class. With 31 strikeouts in 20.2 innings of work, I'd say he is ready for the next level, too.
Today's Scheduled Games
Norfolk: at Pawtucket, 7:05. Starter: Odrisamer Despaigne
Bowie: OFF
Frederick: vs. Myrtle Beach, 7:00. Starter: John Means
Delmarva: vs. West Virginia, 7:05. Starter: Reid Love
For complete box scores from yesterday's games, check out here.