Game 1: Norfolk Tides 1, Gwinnett (Braves) 0
In the first game of a doubleheader, Norfolk pitcher John Means dominated. The 2014 11th rounder struck out eight over six innings of shutout baseball. He isn’t a “prospect,” but his ERA did lower to 3.96 after yesterday’s performance. Jhan Marinez pitched a scoreless 7th inning to pick up his 7th save of the season in the abbreviated game.
It only took one run for Norfolk to win, and it was provided by a Caleb Joseph home run in the second inning. It was his only hit of the day and his Norfolk average is at .278 as he tries to find his offensive groove. The Tides managed only three other hits and Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart each had one of those.
Game 2: Gwinnett (Braves) 2, Norfolk Tides 1
Game two of this doubleheader featured another pitchers duel. Paul Fry and Ryan Meisinger combined to throw six innings to start the game, allowing only one run. Tanner Scott, recently off the Baltimore/Norfolk shuttle, entered the 7th and final inning with the game tied 1-1. He allowed a the game-winning run on hit and two walks.
Norfolk’s offense again mustered only four hits. Mullins went 2-4 with two doubles and a run scored. The RBI came off the bat of Steve Wilkerson.
Trenton (Yankees) 8, Bowie Baysox 3
Baysox starter Lucas Long put his team in an early hole that they couldn’t climb out of. He allowed four runs through the first three innings, though he did manage to recover and pitch seven innings. Luis Ysla and Michael Kelly relieved him and each gave up earned runs.
Offensively, Bowie was held scoreless until the seventh inning. Ryan Mountcastle went 1-4 with a solo home run. Bowie’s two other runs came on solo shots by Sharlon Schoop and Aderlin Rodriguez. Anthony Santander and Corban Joseph each went hitless.
Game 1: Frederick Keys 2, Lynchburg (Indians) 1
Top pitching prospect Michael Baumann continued his amazing start to his professional career, allowing one run in 5.2 innings of work. His is now 4-0 at Frederick aftering being called up from Delmarva, where he was 5-0. His ERA through five starts at high A ball is a tidy 1.82. Last year’s third rounder out of Jacksonville is giving O’s fans something to be excited about. Tyler Irwin pitched 1.1 innings to earn his fifth save.
A Keys recap wouldn’t be complete without mention of Ryan McKenna tallying more base hits. He had two, including a home run, to leave his average at .374. The Carolina League’s leading hitter by miles has seen his average raise over the past ten days. Incredible. Preston Palmeiro also collected two hits and Wilson Garcia drove in the Keys’ other run.
Game 2: Frederick Keys 8, Lynchburg (Indians) 1
This offensive outburst was a balanced attack, with production coming up and down the lineup. Of course McKenna added two more hits and scored twice. T.J. Nichting and Alejandro Juvier each collected two RBI. Jomar Reyes went 2-4 while serving as designated hitter. Colby Rasmus went 1-2 with a strikeout (of course) before before being removed for a pinch hitter.
Keys’ starter Lucas Humpal outperformed even Baumann yesterday. In six innings, he allowed one hit and struck out six.
Game 1: Kannapolis (White Sox) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 0
2016 4th rounder Brenan Hanifee pitched the whole game for the Shorebirds (6 innings) despite allowing four runs. He did strike out six batters and his ERA is still a respectable 2.95. He is performing well in his first season in the South Atlantic League.
Delmarva managed one hit in this shortened game and it came off the bat of Chris Shaw. They didn’t even work a walk.
Game 2: Kannapolis (White Sox) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 2
Delmarva’s offensive struggles continued into game two. They did collect six hits in this contest, but could only push across single runs in the second and fifth innings. Mason McCoy and Will Robertson drove in runs and Robertson was the only player with multiple hits.
Jhon Peluffo started for Delmarva and struggled, allowing four runs in four innings. He hasn’t found his stride since being demoted from Frederick. In three starts since joining the Shorebirds, his ERA is nearly ten.
Yesterday’s two losses continued Delmarva’s free fall in the standings. After a very nice start to the season, their record is now 32-30. They’ve lost three in a row and are 3-7 in their last ten games.