Orioles minor league recap 8/11: Offense leads majority of affiliates to wins

Norfolk Tides 8, Columbus Clippers 1

Luis Ortiz had a strong start for the Tides, allowing one run over six innings with three hits, three strikeouts and zero walks. He now sports a 3.27 ERA over two starts. Luis Gonzalez pitched the rest of the game and earned the save, his first of the year.

On the offensive side, Norfolk actually had one fewer hit (seven) than they had runs (eight). But they did have a total of four walks on the night. Drew Dosch had a pair of hits, the only Norfolk player in the game to have more than one base knock. Breyvic Valera, Pedro Alvarez and Chance Sisco each had an RBI and Jaycob Brugman had two. The team was 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Bowie Baysox 7, Hartford Yard Goats 5

Bowie did most of their scoring late in this game, including one run in the seventh and two each in the eighth and ninth innings. Ryan Mountcastle was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and two strikeouts. Before this game, he had cooled off a bit at the plate recently, hitting .225 in his last 10 games. But he still has a strong .299/.349/.487 batting line overall. Aderlin Rodriguez was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI, while Yusniel Diaz went 2-for-5 with a run scored.

The Baysox got the win in spite of another poor outing from Dillon Tate. He allowed five runs over six innings on seven hits and two walks with zero strikeouts. In his previous start, he also allowed five runs over six innings. In three starts with Bowie, he now has a 7.27 ERA. Brandon Kline was able to come on and get the save, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout.

Buies Creek Astros 6, Frederick Keys 4

Frederick attempted a late game rally in this one, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough to overcome Buies Creek. Second baseman Preston Palmeiro was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, raising his triple slash line to .263/.320/.416. Left fielder Randolph Gassaway was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, leaving his slash at .284/.366/.399 in 303 at-bats with Frederick. Third baseman Jomar Reyes was 1-for-3 with a strikeout.

Cristian Alvarado took the loss for the Keys, surrendering four runs (three earned) in a total of six innings. He did have eight strikeouts to only one walk, but three of the four hits against him were home runs. His ERA stands at 4.22 for the year.

Delmarva Shorebirds 9, Columbia Fireflies 7

The Shorebirds offense exploded for nine runs, including a six run fifth inning, on 13 hits and they were an impressive 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Zach Jarrett was 3-for-5 with a triple, a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Seamus Curran went 2-for-5 with a run scored and Trevor Craport was 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and one run scored.

On the pitching side, Luis Perez got the win for Delmarva despite giving up five runs over six innings. His worst inning was his last, the fifth, when he allowed a bases loaded double that drove home all three runners. Even with this poor outing, his ERA is still only 2.81. Nick Vespi finished the game out with a two inning save, his sixth of the year.

Aberdeen Ironbirds 8, Vermont Lake Monsters 3

Blaine Knight started the game for Aberdeen, going 1.1 innings and allowing one run. He was followed to the mound by Matthew Hammonds, who allowed two runs over 5.2 innings and got the win. Tyler Joyner finished the game out with two scoreless frames.

As a team, the Ironbirds managed 13 hits on the night while going 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position. DH Jean Carmona went 1-for-4 with a walk and is now hitting .190/.292/.190 in 21 at-bats since joining the Orioles’ Class A short season affiliate. First baseman J.C. Escarra was 2-for-4 with three RBI and four other players had two hits, including Robbie Thorburn, Robert Neustrom, Alexis Torres and Alfredo Gonzalez.

Complete box scores from Friday’s games can be viewed here.

Saturday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk vs. Columbus, 7:05 PM ET. Starter: Sean Gilmartin (6-2, 4.30 ERA)
• Bowie at Hartford, 6:05 PM ET. Starter: TBD
• Frederick vs. Buies Creek, 6:00 PM ET. Starter: Alex Wells (5-7, 3.68 ERA)
• Delmarva at Columbia, 6:05 PM ET. Starter: Cameron Bishop (8-5, 2.90 ERA)
• Aberdeen at Hudson Valley, 6:05 PM ET. Starter: TBD