Norfolk Tides 2, Louisville (Reds) 1
In what’s very rare for the high Orioles minors this season, the Tides were helped along in this game by a great outing from starting pitcher Jayson Aquino. He pitched for eight innings, allowing the Bats to score just one unearned run on eight hits and a walk. Is a starting pitcher allowed to go eight innings for the Orioles? Apparently they are!
The Tides won this game in walkoff fashion, with Paul Janish driving in the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Janish was 2-4 in the game.
New Hampshire (Blue Jays) 9, Bowie Baysox 5
If you can believe it, the Baysox were actually leading the Fisher Cats 5-4 headed into the ninth inning of this game. Bowie’s closer Garrett Cleavinger took the full Tommy Hunter (five runs, all earned) in relief in just one inning pitched. Ouch. Cleavinger gave up the five runs on four hits and two walks - kind of impressive, if not in a good way, in that he gave up all those runs without surrendering a homer.
Cleavinger now has a 6.75 ERA this season. Too bad, because it spoiled a quality start by Matthew Grimes, who mostly scattered ten hits and three walks in six innings, giving up just three runs. D.J. Stewart was 2-3 in the game and also drew a walk. Through 59 games, he’s sporting a .773 OPS.
Lynchburg (Indians) 5, Frederick Keys 1
Maybe the most interesting thing about this game is that the Hillcats starting pitcher was named Shane Bieber, who I’m assuming is not related to the singer but I’m going to pretend is a long lost cousin nonetheless.
The Keys only picked up six hits in the game, which is a good way to lose a game. Possible near-future outfield heir Austin Hays was 1-4 in the contest.
Delmarva Shorebirds 2, Greensboro (Marlins) 0
I’ve been down on the Shorebirds this season because they don’t have very many prospects worth following, but one potential sleeper was in action on Friday. That was starting pitcher Jhon Peluffo, who soared through five scoreless innings in 73 pitches, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out two batters. And on top of that, it was his 20th birthday. So happy birthday to him!
South Atlantic League All-Star Jake Ring drove in the first of the Shorebirds runs, which turned out to be the game-winning run, with a fifth inning single. Ring has driven in 40 runs this season.
Complete box scores from Friday’s games, including the adventures of the DSL Orioles affiliate, can be found here.
Saturday’s Scheduled Games
- Norfolk: vs. Louisville, 7:05. Starter: Tyler Wilson
- Bowie: vs. New Hampshire, 6:35. Starter: Jesus Liranzo
- Frederick: vs. Lynchburg, 6:00. Starter: Brian Gonzalez
- Delmarva: at Greensboro, 7:00. Starter: Alex Wells