Orioles minor league recap 7/2: Bowie hits seven home runs!

Durham (Rays) 8, Norfolk Tides 6

Norfolk had a 6-5 lead through seven innings of play at Harbor Park, but a three run top of the eighth for Durham was enough to win the game. Lefty Joely Rodriguez was responsible for all three of those runs and took the loss. The former candidate to break camp with the Orioles is struggling. He’s allowed runs in his last five outings and his ERA (5.04) has risen over a run over his past ten appearances.

Pedro Alvarez hit a three run home run and is batting .296 for the Tides. Joey Rickard contributed two hits and two RBI. DJ Stewart and Austin Wynns each went 1-4. Luis Sardinas was activated for today’s game as part of a rehab assignment and went 2-3 while playing second base.

Asher Wojciechowski started for the Tides and gave up four runs in four innings. Donnie Hart allowed four hits in 1.1 innings of work but managed to not allow a run. Norfolk has now lost four games in a row.

Bowie Baysox 12, Erie (Tigers) 10

Bowie got out to a 10-2 after three innings but slowly let Erie back into this one. After eight innings, Bowie led 11-9. Ryan McKenna hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth to provide a little insurance, and the Baysox held on to win this wild one 12-10.

Six of Bowie’s seven (!!!) home runs came in the first three innings. Corban Joseph, Martin Cervenka (2), Ademar Rifaela, Aderlin Rodriguez, Anthony Santander, and Ryan McKenna accounted for the long balls. Ryan Mountcastle doubled twice and his average is at .308.

Lucas Long started for Bowie and allowed four runs in five innings. Zach Muckenhirm walked four batters and gave up two runs without recording an out. Ouch. Branden Kline allowed one run in 1.1 innings to nail down his fifth save and second in as many nights.

Lynchburg (Indians) 7, Frederick Keys 6

Zac Lowther started for Frederick and did not turn in the outing we’re accustomed to seeing from him. The southpaw who was drafted as a competitive balance pick last summer allowed four runs on five hits. He did last seven innings, the first time in his professional career he’s done that. After starting the year in Delmarva, he’s now made six starts in Frederick. He hasn’t been very challenged; his ERA there is now 1.67.

Preston Palmeiro swatted his 11th homer for the Keys and drove in two. Randolph Gassaway added a homer and three RBI and carries an .864 OPS in his injury shortened campaign. After three bad outings recently, Tyler Erwin pitched a clean ninth inning to lower his ERA to 1.88.

Lakewood (Phillies) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 3

Defense let the Shorebirds down, as only three of the five runs they gave up were earned. SS Mason McCoy was the culprit, committing his 9th error of the season. Jhon Peluffo started for Delmarva and took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings. That left his ERA at 7.85.

While McCoy’s error allowed two unearned runs to score, Lakewood committed four errors. Only one Shorebird was credited with an RBI: McCoy. Ryan Ripken went 2-4 and Brandon Becker added a base hit. Delmarva struck out twelve times.

Aberdeen Ironbirds 8, Hudson Valley (Rays) 4

Willie Rios started for Aberdeen and picked up his first win in three starts, despite allowing two runs in the top of the first. He punched out six batters in five innings of work while allowing three earned runs. 2018 9th rounder Kevin Magee pitched three scoreless innings in relief.

Aberdeen’s offense rode a five run third inning to this victory. Luke Ringhofer hit a home run, scored twice, and plated two runs. Willy Yahn and Alfredo Gonzalez each added two RBI. Robbie Thorburn went 2-4 and scored twice. He is hitting a very nice .324 on the young season.

Complete box scores from these games can be found here.

Today’s scheduled games:

Norfolk vs. Charlotte, 7:05. Starter: John Means

Bowie at Erie, 7:05, Starter: TBD

Frederick vs. Lynchburg, 7:00. Starter: Christian Alvarado

Delmarva at Lakewood, 7:05. Starter: Cameron Bishop

Aberdeen vs. Hudson Valley, 7:05. Starter: TBD