Orioles minor league recap 5/24: Lowther impresses again, Frederick’s offense erupts

Norfolk Tides 6, Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 3

It was another steady start for Tim Melville. The righty delivered six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts. He was unable to get the win, however, because he left the game when it was tied 3-3. Joely Rodriguez would be the beneficiary of the Tides late scoring, and he earned it with 2.1 scoreless innings out of the ‘pen. Ryan Meisinger closed out the final two-thirds of the ninth inning.

Norfolk scored one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Then they erupted for three runs in the top of the ninth on the strength of five consecutive singles to secure the win. Mike Yastrzemski had two hits, a walk and two runs scored out of the lead off spot. Jaycob Brugman also had two hits. D.J. Stewart went 0-for-4, but he drove in two runs on a ground out and a sac fly. Caleb Joseph was 0-for-2 with two walks. Overall, the Tides got the win but they struck out 15 times over the course of nine innings. Sounds like they are ready for Baltimore!

Bowie Baysox 9, Altoona Curve (Pirates) 3

Jayson Aquino bounced back from two bad starts to be serviceable in this one. Over five innings, the lefty allowed three runs on seven hits, two walks and two strikeouts to get the win. Branden Kline was better in his second appearance out of the ‘pen since being promoted last week, tossing two scoreless innings to work around a hit and two walks. Matthew Grimes finished things with a clean eighth and ninth frames.

Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Corban Joseph each had three hits. Santander and Joseph also had a double apiece. Ademar Rifaela went deep for only the second time this season, and he also doubled once. Ryan Mountcastle went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and an RBI sac fly.

Frederick Keys 16, Salem Red Sox (Red Sox) 5

The Frederick lineup went boom at Harry Grove Stadium on Wednesday night. They racked up 23 hits (and 12 strikeouts), four of which went for extra bases. So much good stuff happened, that it’s probably easier to list them:

• Wilson Garcia: 4-for-6, two home runs, seven RBI
• Ryan McKenna: 4-for-6, four RBI, two runs
• Yojhan Quevedo: 3-for-4, a double, a walk, one RBI, two runs
• T.J. Nichting: 4-for-6, two RBI, one run
• Cole Billingsley: 2-for-4, two walks, one RBI, two runs
• Preston Palmeiro: 2-for-5, one walk, one run

Jomar Reyes (1-for-6, three strikeouts) and Collin Woody (0-for-4, three strikeouts, two walks) had tougher nights, but both still managed to reach base and score a run.

On the mound, it looks like Alex Wells is finding his groove at High-A. He gave the Keys 5.2 innings and let up only two runs on five hits, a walk and two strikeouts. His season ERA is down to 3.99. Steven Klimek had a difficult outing. Over 2.1 innings, he allowed three runs with five hits (two home runs), a walk and three strikeouts. Elvis Araujo finished things with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) 0

What else does Zac Lowther need to prove at Low-A? He has dominated the level just about every time out, and he did so again on Wednesday. This time he allowed just one hit and walked three while striking out 10 Crawdads over six scoreless innings. His season ERA is now 1.16. Get this kid to Frederick with a quickness.

The bullpen finished the shutout from there. Scott Burke delivered two clean innings by dancing around two hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Gray Fenter closed it out with a zero in the ninth.

Seamus Curran led the offense with three hits and added an RBI. Zach Jarrett drove in three on the night. He had a solo home run, his ninth long ball of the year, in the sixth inning and a two-run single in the ninth. The speedy Kirvin Moesquit drove in a run with his first triple of the season. Max Hogan got two hits, and Trevor Craport had an RBI. Ryan Ripken went 1-for-5.

Box scores for all of the O’s minor league teams

Thursday’s games

• Tides @ Charlotte, 7:04 p.m. ET. Starter: TBD
• Baysox vs Altoon, 11:05 a.m. ET. Starter: RHP Lucas Long (0-5, 4.76 ERA)
• Keys vs Salem, 11 a.m. ET. Starter: RHP Cristian Alvarado (4-3, 4.11 ERA)
• Shorebirds @ Hickory, 7 p.m. ET. Starter: LHP Cameron Bishop (3-3, 2.72 ERA)