Gwinnett Braves 3, Norfolk Tides 1
Joe “The Gunk” Gunkel pitched seven innings with three runs allowed, taking the hard luck loss. All three runs were allowed via two home runs. Gunkel struck out seven, walked none, and my desperation prompts me to wonder if we might see him in the O’s big league rotation this year.
Norfolk’s only run came on a solo homer by Xavier Avery. Christian Walker was on base three times with a walk and two hits, one of which was a triple. Mike Yastrzemski had one hit and Trey Mancini went 0-for-4.
Bowie Baysox 3, Trenton Thunder (NYY) 2
Last year’s Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia got the start last night as he pitched six innings with just two runs allowed. Both runs came on one swing, a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Garcia gave up five hits and one walk and had five strikeouts. In nine starts since May 13th Garcia has lowered his ERA from 7.43 to its current 4.79. Keep it up, Jason!
The offense was scarce in this one as the Baysox had only six hits. The only non-single was a home run by Henry Urrutia.
Frederick Keys 12, Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) 8
The Keys exploded for 12 runs on 14 hits in their slugfest with the Hillcats. Leading the way offensively was Aderlin Rodriguez, who had four hits and five RBI. Josh Hart and Erick Salcedo had three hits apiece with Hart going deep. D.J. Stewart was hitless but took two walks while Jomar Reyes went 0-for-4.
Mitch Horacek had a very Horacek start with two runs allowed in five innings. He walked three and struck out six. His replacement, Trevor Belicek, was rocked for four runs in just 1.2 innings.
Delmarva Shorebirds 14, Lakewood BlueClaws (PHI) 2
The Shorebirds rode a nine-run second inning to victory over the BlueClaws as they sent 12 men to the plate and hit three singles, three doubles, a triple, and a home run by Natanael Delgado. Every Shorebird reached base in the game with all but Drew Turbin getting a hit.
Cristian Alvarado started and gave up two runs in five innings. He was knocked around for eight hits, but struck out six and walked zero.
Aberdeen Ironbirds 4, West Virginia Black Bears (PIT) 3
The big story of this game was Hunter Harvey, who is working his way back from his sports hernia surgery. Harvey pitched three innings and threw 57 pitches. He gave up five hits and one walk and struck out three.
On offense, CF Ryan McKeena went 2-for-3 with two doubles. McKenna was the O’s fourth round pick of the 2015 draft. LF Austin Hays, drafted in the third round this year, also had two hits.
Speaking of this year’s draft, first rounder Cody Sedlock has arrived in Aberdeen so we’ll have to keep an eye on what he does there.
Cody Sedlock has arrived in Aberdeen! Please join us in welcoming the @Orioles 2016 first round pick! pic.twitter.com/nwnTwBMKEl
— Aberdeen IronBirds (@IronBirds) July 5, 2016
Ironbirds 5, Black Bears 4
The iBirds made it a clean sweep of the doubleheader. After falling behind 3-0 after three innings they stormed back to get the win. The top of the order did a lot of damage as McKenna had two more hits in the nightcap, including a triple. 2B went 3-for-4, and 2015 9th round pick Jaylen Ferguson singled, doubled, and walked.
Travis Seabrooke, a 6’6” lefty drafted in 2013, started and had a bad night. He gave up three runs in three innings with three walks. He should not play those numbers in the lottery.
The losing pitcher for the Black Bears was Scooter Hightower, which I only mention because I wanted to say Scooter Hightower.
Today’s Games
- Norfolk @ Gwinnett, 12:05. Starter: Andy Oliver
- Bowie vs. Trendon, 7:05. Starter: John Means
- Frederick vs. Lynchburg, 6:30. Starter: Franderlin Romero
- Delmarva vs. Lakewood, 7:05. Starter: Brian Gonzalez
- Aberdeen vs. West Virginia, 7:05. Starter: TBD
For more details on these games as well as the games of the Gulf Coast and Dominican Summer Leagues, check out MiLB.com.