Orioles minor league recap 8/4: New prospects Diaz and Kremer excel in Baysox win

Gwinnett Stripers 5, Norfolk Tides 4

Norfolk made a late push in this game, scoring two runs in the eighth inning to pull within one, but it was not enough to overcome the Stripers.

Left-hander Josh Rogers, making his second start for Norfolk since being acquired from the Yankees, took the loss last night. He allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts over six innings. It was a step down from his first start for the Tides, when went seven scoreless innings. After Friday night’s game, his ERA stood at 3.75.

Cedric Mullins had one hit in four trips to the plate with a walk, a strikeout and a run. He also had a stolen base, his 10th with Norfolk and 19th overall. With the Tides this year, he is now slashing .263/.324/.425. DJ Stewart was 1-for-3 with an RBI and recently demoted Breyvic Valera was 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.

Bowie Baysox 6, Reading Fightin Phils 1

Bowie beat Reading handily in this one, holding the Fightin Phils scoreless for the first eight innings until they scratched across a single run on the Baysox in the ninth to avoid the shutout.

Right-hander Dean Kremer, making his third start for the Baysox since being acquired from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade, pitched five scoreless innings. He threw 92 pitches (60 strikes), giving up five hits and three walks with six strikeouts, leaving his ERA at 2.25. Reliever Zach Pop, acquired in the same trade as Kremer, pitched the last two innings of the game and gave up one unearned run on one hit and three strikeouts.

On the offensive side of the ball, Yusniel Diaz had a solid game. He went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a steal. Ryan Mountcastle went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, raising his batting line to .307/.357/.495. Rylan Bannon, playing second base, went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Charleston RiverDogs 2

The Shorebirds were losing until the bottom of the seventh inning, when they scored four runs and took the lead for good.

Jean-Carlos Encarnacion made his debut for the Shorebirds and it was a good one, as he went 2-for-4 with a double. He was acquired from the Braves recently in the Kevin Gausman deal. Cadyn Grenier, 2018 first round compensatory draft pick (37th overall), was hitless in three at-bats, although he did have a walk. He’s hitting .195/.295/.312 in 77 at-bats. Second baseman Mason McCoy went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, raising his slash line to .263/.333/.382.

Cameron Bishop started for Delmarva and took a no-decision despite allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings with three hits, one walk and two strikeouts. On the year, his ERA stands at an impressive 2.90 in 111.2 innings covering 19 starts.

Aberdeen Ironbirds 5, Brooklyn Cyclones 4

Brooklyn scored two runs in the eighth to tie the game and send it to extra innings, but the Ironbirds scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th and got the win.

Jean Carmona, making his debut at shortstop for Aberdeen after coming over in the Jonathan Schoop trade, went 1-for-4 at the plate. Austin Hays, DHing for the Ironbirds, went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. Right-fielder Robert Neustrom was 2-for-5 with a solo home run, his second of the year.

On the mound, Jimmy Murphy threw six innings of two-run ball, giving up three hits and three walks with four strikeouts. He exited the game with a 3.73 ERA.

Frederick at Wilmington: Postponed due to inclement weather

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

Saturday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk at Gwinnett, 6:05 PM ET. Starter: John Means (5-2, 2.99 ERA)
• Bowie vs. Reading, 6:35 PM ET. Starter: Dillon Tate (5-3, 3.58 ERA)
• Frederick at Wilmington, 4:35 PM ET. Starter: Zac Lowther (3-2, 2.89 ERA)
• Frederick at Wilmington, Game Two. Starter: TBD
• Delmarva vs. Charleston, 7:05 PM ET. Starter: TBD
• Aberdeen at Brooklyn, 6:00 PM ET. Starter: TBD