Orioles minors recap 4/12: Bowie ends up on the wrong end of a no-hitter

Toledo (Tigers) 7, Norfolk Tides 5 (11 innings)

The Tides were on their way to their sixth loss in their first seven games when they pulled off a ninth inning rally to tie up the game. They almost lost in the tenth inning when Branden Kline entered and gave up runs, though they scored two runs to tie things up yet again. Early action has been unkind to Kline, who now sports a 9.82 ERA. Then they lost in the eleventh, but it wasn’t Kline pitching then.

At least they managed to force extra frames. Of interest to the Orioles prospect watchers among us, the ninth inning rally included a two-run triple off the bat of Ryan Mountcastle, part of a two hit game for the first baseman.

A pair of errors, one each by Mountcastle and DJ Stewart, ended up costing the Tides two unearned runs early in the game.

Starting pitcher Luis Ortiz was lifted from the game after four innings and 80 pitches, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Reliever Jay Flaa fared a bit better after him, giving up just one hit and a walk in three innings, though one of the errors cost him an unearned run. I root for Jay Flaa because he was drafted from North Dakota State and I think that would be a great story if he makes it to MLB.

Harrisburg (Walgreens) 2, Bowie Baysox 0

The Baysox were no-hit in a combined effort by three Senators pitchers, including once-prospect Erick Fedde, who at 26 is kind of old for this level. Small consolation for the Baysox. It all still counts against them. Two Bowie hitters drew walks to keep it from being a perfect game, including one by outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz.

Bowie starter Marcos Molina gave up just one earned run over six innings, followed by a three inning shutout effort by Brian Gonzalez. The team is now 2-5.

Frederick Keys 3, Salem (Red Sox) 2

The Keys managed to pull this win out despite being out-hit by a 13-6 margin. Sometimes it’s good to be lucky. They held Salem to 0-13 with runners in scoring position in the game and managed to get their own runners across without getting much clutch hitting. The Keys were just 1-8 with RISP in the game.

Frederick starter Cameron Bishop danced the many baserunners dance, allowing six hits and three walks in five innings, but he kept Salem to just the two runs and that was enough to win it on Thursday.

Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Lakewood (Phillies) 3

The Shorebirds were put on the path to success in this game by O’s #10 prospect Blaine Knight spinning five shutout innings. Knight threw 75 pitches while allowing just two hits and two walks and striking out six. Delmarva alone among the O’s farm teams has a winning record as they improved to 5-1 with this win.

Early season Delmarva standout Robert Neustrom, the #30 O’s prospect, managed to drive in two runs even with an 0-3 night. #17 prospect Cadyn Grenier drew a pair of walks, but was caught stealing once and picked off once. Oops! #14 prospect Adam Hall had a pair of hits and stole his third base of the season.

Complete box scores from Thursday’s games can be found here. There’s a special little banner around the Baysox game for the no-hitter.

Friday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs. Toledo, 7:05. Starter: Keegan Akin
• Bowie: vs. Harrisburg, 7:05. Starter: Hunter Harvey
• Frederick: at Salem, 7:05. Starter: DL Hall
• Delmarva: vs. Lakewood, 7:05. Starter: Grayson Rodriguez

That’s a loaded day for Orioles pitching prospects. Good luck to all.