Orioles minors recap 5/3: Austin Hays and Preston Palmeiro had big days at the plate

Durham (Rays) 8, Tides 6

Harbor Park is known as a pitcher’s park, but that wasn’t the case in this game. Durham hit five home runs. In fact, all eight of their runs came on the long ball.

The starter Jimmy Yacabonis gave up just one home run in his 4.1 innings while allowing two runs on two hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Asher Wojciechowski fell apart in his one inning of work: four runs, three hits, two home runs, one walk and three strikeouts. Jason Gurka wasn’t any better: 0.2 innings, two runs, two hits, two home runs. But Jhan Marinez, Andrew Faulkner and Matt Wotherspoon put up zeros in the final three frames.

On the offensive side of things, the Tides struck out 11 times, but they also worked seven walks. Every hitter got on base either via a hit or a walk at least once. Alex Presley went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Joey Rickard had a hit and two walks. Garabez Rosa and Jaycob Brugman notched two hits apiece. Austin Wynns added a hit and two RBI.

Baysox 9, Erie (Tigers) 6

What a comeback for the Baysox! They were down 6-3 late in the game, but scored once in the eighth, twice in the ninth to send it to extra innings and then won it with a three-spot in the top of the 10th.

Third baseman Anderson Feliz led the offense with a 3-for-6 day, including a double and an RBI. Corban Joseph added two hits, two runs and two RBI. Austin Hays had a double and a triple to go along with two RBIs of his own. Cedric Mullins entered the game as a pinch hitter but still managed to get a hit, a walk and score twice. Mike Yastrzemski had a tough 0-for-5 game with three strikeouts.

Righty Lucas Humpal made his first career start at Double-A and struggled. Over 3.1 innings, he allowed five runs on eight hits, a walk and one strikeout. But the bullpen picked him up from there. Tanner Chleborad threw 2.2 scoreless frames, Lucas Long gave up one run in 1.2 innings, Reid Love got the win in 1.1 perfect innings, and Paul Fry notched his second save of the year with a 1-2-3 10th inning.

Keys 3, Salem (Red Sox) 0

Frederick pitchers struck out 14 Red Sox on Wednesday night. Starter Cristian Alvarado was able to tiptoe around the six hits and one walk he allowed by striking out eight batters in 5.2 innings. Relievers Tyler Erwin and Branden Kline each had three strikeouts. The only hurler to not sit down a batter on strikes was James Teague, who delivered a perfect ninth inning for his second save of the season.

The Keys had 10 hits and five walks, but they struggled to string them together. All of their runs came off of the bat of Preston Palmeiro. His third-inning, two-run home run gave them their first runs. His RBI double in the seventh capped off their day. Ryan McKenna had a double, and everyone in the lineup had a hit except Randolph Gassaway, who still managed a base on balls.

Shorebirds 4, Greenville (Red Sox) 3

Cameron Bishop turned on a “quality start” for Delmarva, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Nick Vespi and Zach Muckenhirn combined for three scoreless innings out of the ‘pen to close out the win.

Mason McCoy had an uneven evening. His fourth fielding error of the season allowed Greenville’s first run of the game. But he also had two hits and an RBI. Trevor Craport and Seamus Curran added a solo home run each.

Full box scores for all of the O’s minors here.

Thursday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs Louisville (Reds), 6:35 p.m. ET, Starter: RHP David Hess (1-0, 1.02 ERA)
• Bowie: vs Akron (Indians), 6:35 p.m. ET, Starter: RHP Hunter Harvey (0-0, 1.08 ERA)
• Frederick: vs Salem, 11 a.m. ET, Starter: LHP Brian Gonzalez (0-2, 4.15 ERA)
• Delmarva: vs Greenville, 10:35 a.m. ET, Starter: RHP Matthias Dietz (2-1, 4.58 ERA)

It seems like only a matter of time before Hess is in Baltimore. He continues to impress. Harvey has looked good early, but the Orioles are (rightfully) handling him with care. Gonzalez has continued his trend, so far, of improving in his second year at a level. Dietz is giving opposing hitters more and more trouble each time out; he’s now struck out 24 batters in 19.2 innings.