Norfolk Tides 2, Durham (Rays) 1
The Tides had both seven hits and seven walks, which generated a ton of scoring chances but not much in the way of actual offense. One of the two runs they scored wasn’t even earned. They were 1-11 with runners in scoring position.
It was enough to win, though, thanks to a great game pitched by Joe “The Gunk” Gunkel, who held the Bulls to a run on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. Gunkel did not walk anyone and struck out seven Durham batters. That lowered Gunkel’s season ERA to 3.87.
Reading (Phillies) 4, Bowie Baysox 2
I’ve got to admit that looking at Bowie box scores when I do these minor league recaps is pretty dang depressing because there are really not many prospects on this team... which is probably why the Orioles trade deadline went the way it did. No one wanted anyone they have.
The one good prospect, Chance Sisco, was 0-4 in this particular game. The Baysox only reached base five times all game.
Lefty starter John Means gave up four runs over six innings (plus two batters, which is what really did him in). Fireballing reliever Tanner Scott pitched the final two innings for the Baysox, and though he allowed both runners to score, he kept the Fightin Phils from doing any more damage, striking out four of the seven batters he faced.
Myrtle Beach (Cubs) 5, Frederick Keys 4 (13 innings)
This one was more wild than that score indicates, because the Pelicans actually got three runs in the top of the 13th inning and the Keys countered with two in the bottom of the inning, coming up just short with the tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on first when the game ended.
Speaking of depressing rosters with no prospects, there’s Frederick now that Jonah Heim has been traded. With D.J. Stewart still hurt, the only guy to really follow is Jomar Reyes. Well, he was 2-6 in the game and drove in one of the Keys runs, so that’s something.
Starting pitcher Franderlin Romero, acquired from the Reds for a couple of international bonus slots earlier in the year, held the Pelicans to two runs on three hits in six innings of work. The Myrtle Beach starter was former Maryland Terrapins pitcher Jake Stinnett. Stinnett walked five and gave up three hits in 5.2 innings, but allowed only one earned run.
Hickory (Rangers) 9, Delmarva Shorebirds 6
The game didn’t lack for excitement as the two teams combined for 24 hits and seven home runs. Despite having four of those home runs, Delmarva did not come out on top.
Jhon Peluffo, who began the season in the GCL, got himself a promotion to Delmarva to start this game. It went poorly, to say the least, as Peluffo gave up seven runs on seven hits and three walks in 3.2 innings. The three home runs really did him in. Better luck next time, Jhon.
Shortstop Ryan Mountcastle was 2-5 in the game and hit his seventh home run of the season. I like that guy, especially if a little more power arrives. He’s only 19, after all.
Aberdeen IronBirds 2, Brooklyn (Mets) 0
IronBirds pitchers, including this year’s second round pick, Matthias Dietz, held the Cyclones to just one hit over the game’s nine innings. Yeah, that’ll do. Dietz gave up the lone hit and also walked a batter in three innings of work - and he only threw 31 pitches. The O’s are easing this year’s picks in with light loads.
Not that Aberdeen got much offense. They only had six hits. Two of them were hit by Preston Palmeiro, son of Rafael, who drove in one of the two IronBirds runs. Palmeiro is batting .353 over his first five professional games.
For complete box scores from Tuesday’s games, including the adventures of the GCL and DSL Orioles affiliates, check out here.
Today’s Scheduled Games
- Norfolk: at Durham, 7:05. Starter: Tyler Wilson
- Bowie: at Reading, 7:05. Starter: Brandon Barker
- Frederick: vs. Myrtle Beach, 12:00. Starter: TBD
- Delmarva: at Hickory, 12:00. Starter: Cristian Alvarado
- Aberdeen: vs. Tri-City, 7:05. Starter: A different TBD than Frederick