Norfolk Tides 4, Syracuse (Walgreens) 3
The Orioles might have kept Yefry Ramirez in the bullpen for “Chris Tillman is going to get knocked out early” insurance, but instead they sent him back to Norfolk, where he held the Chiefs to just one run. However, it took him 93 pitches to get through 4.2 innings, which isn’t great even if he gave up just four hits and two walks.
Still, the Tides were able to pull off the win by making the most of their 11 hits. Catcher Andrew Susac was the standout at the plate with a 2-4 night that included a walk. DJ Stewart took an 0-4, but he’s still batting .261 on the young season.
Harrisburg (Walgreens) 5, Bowie Baysox 1
It’s not worth panicking every time an Orioles pitching prospect whose development would be a big help has a bit of a tough outing, but after too many more like this for Keegan Akin, that might lead to some diminished hopes. The lefty gave up three runs over five innings, not especially scattering eight hits and four walks while picking up only one strikeout. That’s a lot of walks. Better luck next time for him.
The Baysox offense wasn’t bad, matching the Senators in the hit column, 9-9, but they were only able to go 1-7 with runners in scoring position. Austin Hays had a 2-4 night and drove in the lone Baysox run. Also 2-4 on the night was outfielder Ademar Rifaela.
Potomac (Walgreens) 7, Frederick Keys 1
Take everything I just said above about Keegan Akin and think about it again for Cody Sedlock, except if you’re a little more inclined to give up on him after he fumbled through High-A last season, that’s understandable. A tough outing for Sedlock on Friday night, eating five runs on nine hits and two walks in four innings, sure doesn’t help. Maybe his defense isn’t great. You never know with the minors. But the O’s sure need him to get on a good run eventually.
Just seven hits for the Keys batters isn’t a very good recipe for victory either. An early standout is outfielder Randolph Gassaway, the 22-year-old drafted in the 16th round back in 2013. Gassaway is batting .353/.410/.559 through nine games. Hey, that’s pretty good. Maybe there’s a space for him in the Bowie outfield once Hays gets his way back to Baltimore.
Delmarva Shorebirds 5, Lakewood (Phillies) 1
One constant on the Orioles farm so far has been the quality of the Shorebirds pitchers. They are now 8-1 because they have given up three or fewer runs in seven of their nine games. There are some guys who might be finding their way up to Frederick by June.
One of them is Matthias Dietz, Friday’s starting pitcher, who held the BlueClaws to a run on four hits in six innings. Dietz also struck out seven Lakewood batters. He is repeating Delmarva after a tougher year last year. If he’s figured it out and gotten himself ready for the next level, that will be a plus. But it’s only been two starts, so don’t get excited yet. Presented without comment: Dietz’s mustache.
Want to check up on your favorite prospect who didn’t get mentioned in these summaries? Check out the complete box scores here.
Saturday’s Scheduled Games
- Norfolk: at Syracuse, 1:05. Starter: David Hess
- Bowie: at Harrisburg, 6:00. Starter: Christian Binford
- Frederick: vs. Potomac, 2:00. Starter: Lucas Humpal
- Delmarva: at Lakewood, 4:05. Starter: Brenan Hanifee
After how the Orioles pitching staff was used last night, I would not be surprised if Hess turns up in Boston instead of being in Syracuse to make this start.