Orioles minor league recap 4/11: Michael Baumann impresses in season debut

Charlotte (White Sox) 10, Norfolk Tides 9

The O’s Triple-A affiliate now has just one win in seven tries this season. On the whole, that has been a result of surprisingly little offense on the Tides part. That was not the case on Wednesday.

Let’s start with the good. Anthony Santander had a big day at the plate with two hits, including a double, and three RBI. Ryan Mountcastle added two RBI of his own. Mason Williams led the team with three hits (all singles). Zach Vincej continued his solid start with a 2-for-4 night. D.J. Stewart had one hit in four trips to the plate plus a walk and two runs. And Stevie Wilkerson hit his first home run of the season, walked twice, scored three times and had two RBI.

Chance Sisco, on the other hand, had a miserable game, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. However, he did throw out an attempted base stealer. The entire Norfolk pitching staff was bad. Gabriel Ynoa allowed six runs on eight hits, two home runs, two walks and one strikeout over six innings. Matt Wotherspoon followed by serving up two runs on five hits in just 1.2 innings. And Brian Gonzalez was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Richmond (Giants) 3, Bowie Baysox 2

Yusniel Diaz may be starting to find his Eastern League swing. The centerpiece of the Manny Machado trade notched two hits, both doubles, and had the only Baysox RBI. Ryan McKenna and T.J. Nichting both went 1-for-4 while Nichting added his second stolen base of the season. Preston Palmeiro had a single and two strikeouts. Chris Clare singled as well, but also struck out three times. As a whole, the Bowie lineup struck out 12 times and did not draw any walks.

Bruce Zimmermann turned in a great start. The southpaw lasted five innings and allowed just one run on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts, showing the “pitchability” he was said to have when coming over in the Kevin Gausman deal. He was followed by a two-inning, one-run, three-strikeout outing from Cristian Alvarado, and it was Tanner Chleborad who took the loss by giving up the walk-off single in the ninth (1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO).

Fayetteville (Astros) 11, Frederick Keys 8

The Keys lineup did a whole lot of hitting, but came nowhere close to cashing in on all of their opportunities. Every player reached base at least once. The group had 12 hits and six walks but left 13 men on base.

Jomar Reyes led the way with a double, a home run and three RBI. Ryan Ripken also went deep. Mason McCoy had two hits and two RBI. Kirvin Moesquit singled and stole his second base of the year. Zach Jarrett went 0-for-2, but he worked three walks and scored twice.

Michael Baumann made his season debut and was nearly flawless. He tossed five scoreless innings and struck out 10 Fayetteville hitters while walking none and allowing just one hit. Unfortunately, the pitchers that followed him struggled mightily. Matthew Hammonds and Matt De La Rosa combined to give up 11 runs in two innings of work. Steven Klimek finished up with two scoreless frames.

Delmarva Shorebirds 2, Kannapolis (White Sox) 1

The Shorebirds salvaged this day for the Orioles minor league affiliates despite having such a meager offensive showing. Adam Hall led the lineup with two hits (one double, one single) and one RBI in four at-bats. Seamus Curran and Jean Carlos Encarnacion also doubled. Robert Neustrom singled, and Daniel Fajardo had the other RBI while Cadyn Grenier took an 0-for-4 plus a walk.

Delmarva’s pitching was able to make that minuscule lead stand-up. Hector Guance started and lasted 4.2 innings while allowing a run on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Tyler Joyner was given the win for his 3.1 scoreless innings of work while striking out three and serving up four hits. And Jhon Peluffo notched his first save of the season despite allowing a walk and a hit in the ninth inning.

Complete box scores from Wednesday’s set of games can be found here.

Thursday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs Toledo (Tigers) 6:35 p.m. Starter: Luis Ortiz (0-1, 12.00 ERA)
• Bowie: vs Harrisburg (Nationals), 6:35 p.m. Starter: Marcos Molin (0-1, 7.20)
• Frederick: at Salem (Red Sox), 7:05 p.m. Starter: Cameron Bishop (0-0, 4.50)
• Delmarva: vs Lakewood (Phillies), 7:05 p.m. Starter: Blaine Knight (0-0, 3.18)