Orioles prospects 8/9: Bombs away in Bowie

Lehigh Valley IronPigs 11, Norfolk Tides 5

Alex Asher got the start for the Tides and was knocked around to the tune of nine hits and six runs over just 3.1 innings. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, as Logan Verrett allowed a five spot in the seventh that turned this game into a blowout.

On the offensive side, Norfolk did have twelve hits, half of which were contributed by Pedro Alvarez and David Washington, who had three each. Washington hit a solo shot in the seventh, his 15th homer of the season, and Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo shot of his own in the second.

Bowie Baysox 14, Harrisburg Senators 2

This game was an complete annihilation. David Hess was excellent, allowing just two hits while striking out eight over six innings, and the bullpen didn’t allow a baserunner in the final three innings of the game.

Meanwhile, the Bowie lineup went absolutely ballistic. The Baysox hit five home runs: one from Cedric Mullins, two from Anthony Santander, one from D.J. Stewart, and a grand slam from Austin Hays.

Ryan Flaherty played in this game and was 1-2 with two walks and three runs scored, and Ryan Mountcastle was 2-4 with a double. That’s good news for Mountcastle, who was hitting just .161 through his first sixteen games with the Baysox after tearing up the Carolina League with the Keys.

Frederick Keys 8, Winston-Salem Dash 7

First of all, how awful of a name is the “Winston-Salem Dash”? The only thing worse than their name might be their defense, as Winston-Salem made five errors in the game. The Keys chipped in with two of their own to bring the total to an embarrassing seven errors on the day.

Frederick jumped out to an early lead behind a two-run homer from catcher Armando Araiza, but Winston-Salem was able to tie the game off of Keys starter Reid Love. Love, who has been bouncing back and forth all year between the rotation and long relief, had a short four-inning start. He was relieved by Jon Keller, who pitched a scoreless fifth before allowing two runs in the sixth.

Both teams exchanged unearned runs for a few innings, including a dropped ball at first base by Winston-Salem that allowed the Keys to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Araiza came through again for the keys in the tenth, with a walk-off RBI single that scored Ricardo Andujar. Andujar had pinch run for Shane Hoelscher, who reached on - you guessed it - an error.

Araiza had three hits in the game, as did second baseman Brallan Perez. If that name doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because Perez was acquired for international bonus money from the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

Hagerstown Suns 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 2

The Shorebirds wasted some good pitching, as starter Jhon Peluffo and reliever Kory Groves combined to pitch the entire game and allow just five hits. Peluffo went the first six, giving up a pair of runs on a two-run shot in the fourth, and Groves gave up a solo homer in the 8th.

Delmarva got on the board in the first inning after Cole Billingsley doubled and was able to score on back-to-back wild pitches. An RBI single from Alejando Juvier drove in the only other run they’d get. Billingsley was the only Shorebird with multiple hits in the game, going 2-5.

Aberdeen IronBirds 7, Mahoning Valley Scrappers 6

Making the start for Aberdeen today was...Hunter Harvey? Yes, that Hunter Harvey. In his first start back north after a few short outings in Florida with the rookie club, Harvey went just two innings and did not allow a hit. Harvey seemed rusty, walking three batters, but he also struck out three. In eight innings between the the GCL Orioles and Aberdeen, he has yet to allow a run.

The Aberdeen bullpen struggled, but they were able to barely hang on thanks to the 6-0 that the Ironbirds had built through four innings. Josh Hart was a big part of that, going 2-5 with a triple and two runs scored in his eighth game with Aberdeen since being shelved for two months with an injury.

T.J. Nichting and Irving Ortega each had a pair of hits as well. Kirvin Moesquit was 1 for 2 with a double, a walk, and two RBI sac flies.

Today’s matchups and probable starters

Norfolk @ Rochester, 7:05 PM (TBD)

Harrisburg @ Bowie, 11:05 AM (Jesus Liranzo)

Winston-Salem @ Frederick, 7:00 PM (Ofelky Peralta)

Lakewood @ Delmarva, 7:05 PM (Alex Wells)

Mahoning Valley @ Aberdeen, 11:05 AM (TBD)