Orioles minor league recap 8/27: Kremer dominates, Delmarva playoff hopes revitalized

Durham (Rays) 7, Norfolk Tides 3

Norfolk entered this game one game behind in the International League Wild Card standings and couldn’t hold an early lead. The Tides grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first on a Joey Rickard double and Anthony Santander sacrifice fly. Their other run came in the sixth inning on a Santander RBI groundout that tied the game at three. Norfolk managed only five hits (one each from Mike Yastrzemski, Breyvic Valera, Rickard, Drew Dosch, and Ruben Tejada). Chance Sisco went 0-3 with a walk.

John Means started for the Tides and registered a quality start, allowing three earned runs over six innings. The game was tied when he left. The performance rose his ERA slightly to a very solid 3.48. He has not allowed more than three runs in a game since May 20.

The Tides’ bullpen let them down in this one. Andrew Faulkner and Lucas Long gave up a combined four runs in three innings and the offense couldn’t make up the deficit.

Bowie Baysox 4, Erie (Tigers) 1

Dean Kremer made his seventh start for the Baysox and dominated. He struck out eight batters in six shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks. The effort lowered his ERA to 2.29 with Bowie and 2.80 for the entire season. He’s struck out 43 batters in 39.1 innings since coming to the O’s organization. The early returns on Kremer are fantastic. Jay Flaa pitched the final three innings to earn his second save. He allowed one run on one hit.

Three of Bowie’s runs came courtesy of the long ball. Austin Hays hit a solo homer, his ninth of the season, and also had an RBI double. Corban Joseph hit a two-run shot, his sixteenth of the year. Martin Cervenka added the other RBI. Anderson Feliz and Ademar Rifaela each collected two hits (both of Rifaela’s were doubles). Ryan Mountcastle and Yusniel Diaz each went 0-4.

Bowie (63-67) won the series and has now won eleven of their last sixteen games, making a push at a .500 record as the season nears its end.

Frederick Keys 6, Carolina (Brewers) 4

The Keys dug out of an early 2-0 deficit behind Randolph Gassaway’s third consecutive game with a home run. It was a three-run shot in the fourth inning. Stuart Levy added two RBI and Jake Ring had one. Jomar Reyes had two hits, scored once, and is batting .343 over his last ten games. Chris Clare also had two hits for Frederick’s balanced offensive attack.

Cody Sedlock started for the Frederick and the results were mixed. He tied his season high with four innings pitch and struck out four. But he allowed two runs and walked three batters. Sedlock returning to the type of pitcher who won the 2016 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Award would be a major boost to the O’s farm system.

Matthias Dietz, taken the round after Sedlock in 2016, allowed one run in 2.1 innings to pick up his first win of the season. It was the first time this season he’s appeared in a relief role and his ERA at Frederick is now 8.58. Steven Klimek pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season.

Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Greensboro (Marlins) 4

It took some ninth inning theatrics for the Shorebirds to finish the sweep of Greensboro. They trailed 4-1 after four innings and 4-3 going into the ninth inning. Cadyn Grenier hit his first professional home run to tie the game. Kirvin Moesquit singled home the go-ahead run and the insurance run scored on an error. Mason McCoy, Brandon Becker, Grenier, and Jean Carrillo each had two hits for Delmarva. Becker, Zach Jarrett, and Carrillo also provided RBI.

Jhon Peluffo started for Delmarva and allowed four runs in 3.2 innings, leaving his ERA at 5.54. Delmarva’s bullpen shut it down from there, delivering 5.1 scoreless innings while their offense was coming back. Timothy Naughton picked up his third win of the season by pitching a scoreless inning and Nick Vespi collected his eighth save.

The Shorebirds return to Salisbury for four games with Hickory, the team 4.5 games above them in the wild card standings. They have seven games remaining total.

Tri-City (Astros) 4, Aberdeen IronBirds 2

Aberdeen grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning but could not score the rest of the way. Those runs came on a Milton Ramos two-run home run. Ramos went 2-4 with a double later in the game. Alexis Torres also had two hits.

Jimmy Murphy started for Aberdeen and pitched a complete game while taking his sixth loss of the season. All four runs were earned and he allowed nine hits and two walks. He struck out four. The performance raised his ERA to 3.61.

Complete box scores from these games can be found here.

Monday’s scheduled games:

Norfolk vs. Durham, 7:05. Starter: Luis Ortiz

Bowie at Akron, 7:05. Starter: Dillon Tate

Frederick at Potomac, 7:05. Starter: Zac Lowther

Delmarva vs. Hickory, 7:05. Starter: Cameron Bishop

Aberdeen at Tri-City, 7:00. Starter: TBD