Orioles minors recap 8/22: Tides’ bats explode for 10-run inning in blowout

Norfolk Tides 15, Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 3 — Game 1

OK, there was a lot going on here. You might notice that the box score lists Cedric Mullins with a home run for Norfolk in this game — even as Cedric Mullins is currently playing for the Orioles and, in fact, hit a home run in the majors on this very day. How was he in two places at once, homering for multiple teams? Did the Orioles clone Cedric Mullins? Is he stuck in a time loop?

No, in fact, this was the resumption of an Aug. 1 game that was suspended by rain in the third inning. Mullins — then playing for the Tides — had hit a homer before the rainout, so it’s listed in today’s box score even though it happened three weeks ago. Also he hit his homer in Charlotte, but when the game was resumed it took place in Norfolk, though Charlotte was still considered the home team. Got all that?

In things that actually happened on this night, the Tides put up an eye-popping 10 runs in the sixth inning to turn this one into a laugher. That inning featured, incredibly, eight consecutive singles. Then there was an error and another single. (Poor Knights reliever Rob Scahill was charged with nine runs on eight hits.) Every Norfolk batter had at least one hit, led by Mike Yastrzemski’s four.

John Means worked 5.2 innings, technically pitching in relief (Jimmy Yacabonis had thrown 2.1 scoreless innings Aug. 1 before the game was suspended). Means was tagged for three runs and nine hits, striking out seven. He got the victory thanks to the ample run support.

Charlotte 3, Norfolk 2 — Game 2

Inexplicably, even though the first game didn’t end until about 11 PM because of a rain-delayed start, these two teams followed with game two of the doubleheader anyway. This one wrapped up at about 2:30 in the morning in front of roughly a dozen fans.

An exhausted Tides offense didn’t do much in this one, although Yastrzemski was still going strong, posting two hits out of the leadoff spot to finish 6-for-10 in the twin bill. DJ Stewart was 0-for-4 to dip his average to .229. The Tides patched together a bullpen game, with Matt Wotherspoon giving up two runs in four innings. Former Oriole Welington Castillo, rehabbing with Charlotte as he prepares to return from his drug suspension, was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

Bowie Baysox 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) 0

The story of the night was Dean Kremer, the right-hander acquired in the Manny Machado trade, who tossed six shutout innings to lower his Baysox ERA to 2.70 in six starts. He racked up six strikeouts and allowed just four baserunners. Chris Lee and Jay “Flavor” Flaa combined for three scoreless frames to complete the shutout.

Kremer was one of three pieces from the Machado trade to play for Bowie in this game. Yusniel Diaz’s two-game homer streak ended as he settled for a walk on an 0-for-4 night, but Rylan Bannon went 2-for-3 with a double. It was the first multi-hit game of Bannon’s 21-game Baysox career. He’s batting .127.

Among other hitting prospects, Austin Hays was 1-for-5 with an RBI, Ryan McKenna took an 0-for-4 with a walk, and Ryan Mountcastle had the night off.

Frederick Keys vs. Salem Red Sox — SUSPENDED after first inning

Salem rains washed out this contest after only one inning had been completed. It’ll be resumed in progress Wednesday night. Before the rains hit, Cody Sedlock — in his first start with the Keys since April 19 — had finagled a scoreless first inning despite allowing two hits.

Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Rome Braves — POSTPONED, will not be rescheduled

Vermont Lake Monsters (Athletics) 6, Aberdeen Ironbirds 2

The Ironbirds’ seven-game winning streak was snapped on a quiet night for the offense, which managed just three hits. One of those hits came from 2017 second-round draft pick Adam Hall, who has been on a ridiculous tear of late, batting .450 (18-for-40) since Aug. 4. He’d also been 9-for-9 in stolen bases during that span until getting thrown out in this game.

Rehabbing outfielder Anthony Santander, not normally known for his speed, stole two bases in this game. Jonathan Schoop trade return chip Jean Carmona went 0-for-4 and committed an error.

Complete box scores can be found here.

Wednesday’s scheduled games:

• Norfolk vs. Charlotte, doubleheader, 5:05 PM. Game 1 starter: Luis Ortiz (2-0, 2.81); Game 2 starter: TBD
• Bowie vs. Richmond, 7:05 PM. Starter: Dillon Tate (6-4, 4.19)
• Frederick at Salem, resumption of suspended game followed by regularly scheduled 7:05 PM game. Starter: Zac Lowther (4-2, 2.50)
• Aberdeen at Vermont, 7:05 PM. Starter: TBD