Norfolk Tides 9, Toledo (Tigers) 3
The Tides scored seven runs unanswered to take a commanding lead and run away with the game. They did this despite being out-hit by the Mud Hens, 11-8. It helps that Norfolk batters walked eight times as well - they didn’t do particularly well with runners in scoring position.
Norfolk faced a deficit after their starter, Ariel Miranda, gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks in 5.2 innings pitched. Not a horrible outing, but one where you need the offense to bail you out. That’s exactly what ended up happening.
Trey Mancini drove in the go-ahead runs by hitting a bases loaded triple. It was Mancini’s only hit in the game, so way to make it count. Christian Walker, serving as the designated hitter, went 2-3 and scored two of the Tides runs.
Erie (Tigers) 5, Bowie Baysox 3 (12 innings)
The Tigers farm gets its revenge here. Bowie did not score after the fourth inning and eventually, in the top of the twelfth, Jon Keller gave up two runs and that was that.
Earlier in the game, starting pitcher David Hess had a coulda-been-worse outing, giving up three runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings. It’s going to be hard to scatter nine hits.
The Baysox didn’t lack for chances, having a total of 15 at-bats with runners in scoring position. They were only able to get three hits in those chances, though, and left 14 men on base in the game. Chance Sisco, serving as the DH, went 3-5 and drew a walk. Shortstop Adrian Marin also had a 3-5 game with a walk.
Salem (Red Sox) 4, Frederick Keys 2
Another game where the starting pitcher wasn’t so great and the offense wasted a ton of chances. They were only 1-11 with RISP in the game. Jomar Reyes went 0-2 and drew a walk. Jonah Heim was 0-3 and also drew a walk.
Of possible interest in the game, unless it means nothing whatsoever, is that D.J. Stewart, last year’s top Orioles draft pick, was removed from the game after batting twice. The reason for this was a mysterious no comment. It’s probably nothing... unless it’s a sign Stewart’s name has come up in trade talks.
Delmarva Shorebirds 8, Kannapolis (White Sox) 6
To my best knowledge, no one on the White Sox Low-A affiliate made like Chris Sale and cut up their jerseys over the course of this game.
It took some late innings magic for the Shorebirds to win this one. They scored the final five runs unanswered, a trick made even more impressive by the fact that they had only three at-bats with RISP in the game - and only got one hit.
Hitting four home runs will do the trick. Sometimes catcher, sometimes DH Yermin Mercedes hit three of the home runs by himself, driving in four runs. He was 4-4 in the game. The guy now has a .990 OPS in 85 games, including 14 home runs. Well, he’s 23, so you’d hope he can destroy Low-A. Still, good job. Ryan Mountcastle entered as a pinch hitter and ended up going 2-3 in the contest.
Baltimore’s own Alex Murphy drew three walks at the plate. When he was catching, he had two passed balls.
Brooklyn (Mets) 7, Aberdeen IronBirds 2
Aberdeen didn’t score until the ninth inning when they got a two run home run off the bat of Mike Odenwaelder. They had scattered chances in the game but only went 1-9 with RISP. None of the people who I’m watching to see how they handle Aberdeen did much of anything. Well, can’t win them all.
For complete box scores from Saturday’s games, including the adventures of the GCL Orioles and both DSL Orioles affiliates, check out here.
Today’s Scheduled Games
- Norfolk: vs. Toledo, 6:05. (Paul Janish photo giveaway). Starter: Mike Wright
- Bowie: vs. Erie, 2:05. Starter: Matthew Grimes
- Frederick: vs. Salem, 2:00. Starter: Lucas Long
- Delmarva: vs. Kannapolis, 5:05. Starter: Ofelky Peralta
- Aberdeen: at Hudson Valley, 5:05. Starter: TBD