Orioles minor league recap 8/30: Akin struggles, Wells solid

Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 10, Norfolk Tides, 2

The Tides are trying to make a push towards the International League playoffs, but losses like they had on Wednesday won’t help.

Norfolk’s offense compiled seven total hits while striking out nine times and walking just once. Garabez Rosa was the only visiting hitter to drive in runs; he did so with his 11th home run of the season, which came in the fifth inning and brought home Luis Sardinas, who had singled earlier. DJ Stewart had a pair of singles. Anthony Santander went 0-for-4 and Chance Sisco had an 0-for-3 evening.

It was a bullpen affair for the Tides pitching staff as they faced two familiar faces: Xavier Avery (0-for-3) and Ryan Flaherty (2-for-5). Donnie Hart started the game and wound up with the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, a walk and two strikeouts over three innings of work. It was Luis Gonzalez who really struggled and let the game get out of the reach. In just two-thirds of an inning, he served up six runs on six hits and a walk. D.J. Snelten and Evan Phillips combined for 3.1 scoreless innings before Cody Carroll allowed two runs on a hit and four walks in his 0.2 innings of work. Andrew Faulkner made a brief appearance to work out of Carroll’s jam with a strikeout.

Bowie Baysox 15, Akron RubberDucks (Indians) 7

It was a good night to be a Baysox hitter. Everyone had a hit and nearly everyone reached base more than once. Aderlin Rodriguez and Corban Joseph led the way with a pair of 3-for-6 performances. Rodriguez hit his 21st home run of the season and drove in three runs. Joseph doubled, tripled and brought home three runs as well. Ryan Mountcastle also produced three hits, one of which was a double. Yusniel Diaz had a triple in three at-bats, but walked three times. Rylan Bannon had a 2-for-4 night. Austin Hays got just one hit in six at-bats, but walked once and did not strikeout at all.

Keegan Akin got the ball to begin the game, but did not have one of his better showings. Over 4.2 innings, he allowed six runs on nine hits, a walk and four strikeouts. It was actually the forgotten Chris Lee that nabbed the win in this one. He delivered 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk, however, he did not strike out any batters. Jay Flaa tossed two clean innings out of the ‘pen, and Zack Muckenhirn finished the game by allowing a run in one inning of work.

Potomac Nationals (Walgreens) 6, Frederick Keys 0

On the positive side of things, Alex Wells was solid yet again. He gave up just two earned runs (three total runs) in 5.1 innings while striking out four and walking one. Unfortunately, he also gave up two home runs, and his offense never even looked like supporting him. Travis Seabrooke and Tyler Erwin came on in relief and allowed three total runs in 2.2 innings, but only one of them was earned.

The Keys had no extra base hits, no walks, six strikeouts and grounded into four double plays. Jomar Reyes was the only Frederick hitter with two hits. Preston Palmeiro, Alejandro Juvier and Daniel Fajardo each singled once to get aboard.

Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 0

Another affiliate with an awful night at the plate. The Salisbury boys struck out 14 total times, but they did ground into just one double play. So, glass half-full?

Branden Becker was the only Shorebirds hitter with an extra base hit, his 15th double of the season. Ben Breazeale was the only hitter with two hits, and he also walked once. The other “offense” came from Mason McCoy (1-for-4, one walk), Trevor Craport (1-for-3), Ryan Ripken (1-for-4), Cadyn Grenier (0-for-3, one walk) and Seamus Curran (1-for-4).

Brenan Hanifee lowered his season ERA to 2.86 by allowing just one earned run in five innings of work, but an error by Curran and a passed ball by Breazeale allowed two more runs to score while Hanifee was on the mound. Diogenes Almengo was impressive in his three innings, giving up just one hit and striking out five. Timothy Naughton delivered a perfect ninth inning, striking out a batter in the process.

Game 1: Aberdeen IronBirds 6, Connecticut Tigers (Tigers) 1

The IronBirds pitching staff approached this game with a group mentality. Leonard Rodriguez tossed 2.2 innings, Josh Keaton earned the win in his 1.1 innings of work despite allowing the one run (unearned), J.J. Montgomery contributed two scoreless innings and Zach Matson added a zero in the seventh. Each pitcher struck out exactly one hitter while they were in the game.

Adam Hall’s recent tear came to an end with an 0-for-4 performance, but the rest of the lineup picked him up. Robert Neustrom had a double and his first professional triple. J.C. Escarra led all hitters with three hits. Willy Yahn and Jean Carmona both had 2-for-3 games. And Nick Horvath added a double.

Game 2: Aberdeen IronBirds 6, Connecticut Tigers (Tigers) 1

Kevin Magee started on the bump and delivered another gem. His five scoreless innings and five strikeouts now has the 2018 draft pick’s season ERA down to 0.84 over 32 innings with the IronBirds. Manuel Dominguez followed in relief and did serve up a run in two innings out of the bullpen.

Hall got back onto the hit sheet with a single in three at bats. Escarra and Neustrom added two more hits. Robbie Thorburn joined the hit parade with two hits of his own. Not to be forgotten, Cody Roberts and Milton Ramos each singled once.

Box scores for all of the O’s minor league teams

Thursday’s games

• Tides at Gwinnett, 10:35 a.m. ET, Starter: RHP Jimmy Yacabonis (3-4, 3.93 ERA)
• Baysox at Akron, 7:05 p.m. Starter: LHP Brian Gonzalez (7-6, 6.09 ERA)
• Keys at Potomac, 7:05 p.m. Starter: RHP Michael Baumann (7-5, 4.20 ERA)
• Shorebirds vs Hickory Crawdads, 7:05 p.m. Starter: RHP Luis Perez (4-3, 3.54 ERA)
• Game 1: IronBirds at Connecticut, 5:35 p.m. Starter: TBD
• Game 2: IronBirds at Connecticut, TBD, Starter: TBD