Orioles minor league recap 5/14: DL Hall pitches five shutout innings in Shorebirds’ loss

Gwinnett Stripers (ATL) 10, Norfolk Tides 0

This was an ugly one. Having lost their starter when he was called up to pitch for the Orioles on Saturday, the Tides turned to relief pitcher Matt Wotherspoon to start the game. The spot starter gave up four runs in just three innings, and his relief wasn’t much better. Andrew Faulkner and Jason Gurka each pitched two innings with one run allowed and Josh Edgin gave up an eighth inning grand slam as the icing on the cake.

As bad as the pitching was, it didn’t really matter when the offense was shut out on only four hits, all singles. D.J. Stewart went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Quick question, when did Gwinnett change their name from Braves to Stripers? And what is a striper?

Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 9, Bowie Baysox 4

My favorite Orioles minor leaguer and possible long lost relative Lucas Long did not fare well in this game. Making his second start of the season, Long gave up four runs in four innings before making his exit. After a successful 2017 with the Baysox in which had just a 2.95 ERA, Long’s ERA today sits at 5.64.

Third baseman Anderson Feliz had himself a day, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. Leadoff batter Cedric Mullins had a nice day, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Austin Hays had a game to forget, going 0-for-5 and lowering his slash line to .224/.263/.399. That’s not great. Ryan Mountcastle DH’d in the game and went hitless but drew a walk and had a sac fly.

Frederick Keys 8, Potomac Nationals 6

This was a back and forth affair that ended with the Keys on top thanks to a three-run bottom of the eighth inning. The game was really a gift from the Nats as they made six errors in the field and of the eight runs scored by the Keys, only one of them was earned! Minor leagues, man. They’re ridiculous.

Brian Gonzalez started for the Keys and had a passable game, going five innings with two runs allowed. Four of the five hits Gonzalez allowed were doubles, which is not ideal. Branden Kline had a rough seventh inning, getting singled to death and giving up three runs. The only Key to not allow a run was Steven Klimek, who picked up his first save.

On offense, center fielder Ryan McKenna had four hits and a walk in the game, which I’m gonna say is pretty good. Right fielder Cole Billingsley had a homer for his only hit, but also picked up two walks. Number nine hitter Alejandro Juvier had a three-hit game.

Columbia Fireflies (NYM) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 4 (10 innings)

DL Hall pitched five innings, his longest start of the year for him. He gave up just one hit and one walk in the game, but was given a no decision. Hall’s ERA is now 2.29. Relief pitcher Nick Vespi gave up three runs in the seventh inning, but then the Shorebirds tied the game to send it to extras before losing.

Zach Jarrett, Ryan Ripken, and T.J. Nichting had two hits each for the Shorebirds, with Jarrett picking up the team’s only extra base hit, a triple.

Check out MiLB.com for the box scores and additional details.

Monday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: OFF
• Bowie: vs. Harrisburg, 6:35. Starter: Michael Kelly
• Frederick: OFF
• Delmarva: @ Columbia, 7:05. Starter: Michael Baumann