Orioles prospects 8/27: Quiet bats everywhere but Bowie

Durham (Rays) 5, Norfolk Tides 2

The Tides outhit the Bulls 8-to-7 but failed to take advantage of their opportunities with runners on the base paths. Unless you have some serious power, it’s tough to win many ball games going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Between JJ Hardy’s rehab assignment, Joey Rickard’s temporary demotion, and Pedro Alvarez’s never-ending existence on the O’s AAA roster, it was a game full of MLB talent (although Hardy’s 2017 WAR may disagree). Hardy and Rickard both had singles, while Alvarez went hitless for the first time in four games.

The best day on offense went to another former big-leaguer, Chris Johnson. The 32-year-old veteran went 3-for-4 with his 10th home run and drove in both Norfolk runs.

With Alec Asher getting the scratch as a contingency plan for Zach Britton’s knee, Logan Verrett got the spot start and struggled mightily. Verrett failed to make it out of the second inning, getting knocked around for four earned runs on three hits.

Chris Lee came on to record the last out in the second inning and then went on to pitch four more strong innings, allowing only one run on three hits. With Lee sitting on the 40-man roster, the O’s may be curious in September to see if his sinker can play in the MLB with a professional defense behind him.

Bowie Baysox 7, Altoona (Phillies) 2

Altoona’s lead didn’t last long once the Baysox bats decided to wake up in the fifth inning. From then on, it was business as usual for the Orioles’ high-powered AA squad as they salvaged the series split to stay one game back of Altoona in their division.

The comeback rally kicked off with a Ryan Mountcastle home run in the top of the fifth inning. After batting .314 in Frederick and a slow start in Bowie, it’s starting to look like the 20-year-old’s bat is adjusting to AA pitching.

Aderlin Rodriguez later added two more dingers of his own and 6 RBI to blow the game wide open. I’m guessing it’s tough to hit solo homers batting behind Austin Hays and DJ Stewart. Hays went 3-for-5 with a double, and while DJ Stewart didn’t record a hit, he drew yet another walk to reach base in his 18th straight game.

Potomac (Nationals) 4, Frederick Keys 1

The Keys failed to get much of anything going against National’s starter Luis Reyes, and it didn’t get much better when the bullpen came in. All in all, Frederick scattered four singles and a few walks in what was a quiet game for their bats.

Matthew Grimes didn’t finish with the best looking box score, but had a solid outing all things considered. The righty cruised through the first three innings and change, allowing only two hits while striking out 5. But, with an out still remaining in the fourth inning, Grimes gave up a solo home run, walked the next batter, and was yanked early. The walk later came around to score leaving him with a final line of two earned runs over three and two-thirds. The five K’s still look nice at least.

Charleston (Yankees) 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 1

There wasn’t much to see during Sunday’s game for entertainment value at Perdue Stadium. The two squads both managed to get on the board in the sixth inning, but otherwise traded 16 scoreless half-innings one by one.

On the mound throwing zeroes for Delmarva, once again, was Alex Wells. As is tradition. The Aussie cruised through four scoreless innings, striking out four batters and walking none. That marks 68 straight innings without a walk for the Orioles’ 16th-ranked prospect. He was pulled after only 48 pitches, but considering how the rest of the game went, maybe they should have left him in there.

Vermont (A’s) 3, Aberdeen IronBirds 2

Lake Monsters’ starter Algenis Blanco did his best Houdini impression on Sunday to limit the IronBirds offense with some extraordinary escape acts. Despite racking up nine hits and three walks in only five innings, the fightin’ Cals only managed to put up two runs against Blaco. And that was with the help of an error.

Recent competitive balance pick Zac Lowther took the bump for Aberdeen and had his worst outing as a professional. That’s not saying much though, because he’s been pretty darn great so far. Lowther struggled with his command and walked four, but still held the Lake Monsters to three runs through five innings. Outside of the walks, the crafty lefty gave up only three hits and struck out six.

Complete box scores for all of Sunday’s games can be found here.

Today’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs. Gwinnett, 7:05. Starter: TBD
• Bowie: vs. Trenton, 7:05. Starter: Tanner Scott
• Frederick: OFF
• Delmarva: OFF
• Aberdeen: vs. Connecticut, 7:05. Starter: TBD