Orioles minor league recap 4/14: In which there’s a walkoff grand slam

Toledo (Tigers) 9, Norfolk Tides 5 (10 innings)

Norfolk jumped out to a 4-1 lead with a four-run third inning that included Anthony Santander picking up a three-run dinger for his first home run of the year. Then, they didn’t score again until they managed to plate their free runner in extra innings. Unfortunately for the Tides, there were some bullpen shenanigans mixed in there, including Branden Kline blowing the save by giving up a game-tying homer in the ninth.

The game was a bit of a mixed bag for the O’s prospects at Norfolk. Ryan Mountcastle went 3-5 for his first real breakout day at the Norfolk level. Santander drove in all four Tides runs with his homer and a double. Even once-prospect Chris Lee struck out five batters over four scoreless innings.

On the other end, DJ Stewart took an 0-5, though he’s still sporting a .911 OPS for the season. Chance Sisco managed to raise his batting average by going 1-5, which isn’t great. It’s early yet, so don’t despair. Norfolk is now just 2-8.

Harrisburg (Walgreens) 10, Bowie Baysox 4

The less said about this one, the better. Starting pitcher Dillon Tate was torched for five runs on six hits and a walk in just 2.2 innings and things didn’t improve much for the Baysox after he left the game.

At the plate, Cuban outfielder Yusniel Diaz went 1-3 with a walk and scored a pair of runs. Infielder Rylan Bannon had a multi-hit game including his second homer of the season. Those guys are both OPSing over .850 to start their season with Bowie. Zach Pop added a scoreless inning to keep his 0.00 ERA for the season. The Baysox are 2-7.

Frederick Keys 8, Salem (Red Sox) 2 (Game 1 - 7 innings)

The Keys won. That’s a good thing. Less exciting for the O’s prospect watcher is that starter DL Hall walked four batters in four innings. The 2017 first rounder also allowed four hits, struck out four batters, and gave up a pair of runs. It could have been worse. It could have been better.

Eight of the nine Frederick batters picked up hits in the game, including multi-hit efforts by NASCAR scion Zach Jarrett, center fielder Kirvin Moesquit, and designated hitter Jean Carrillo.

Salem (Red Sox) 8, Frederick Keys 7 (Game 2 - 7 innings)

Frederick was sunk in this one despite outhitting Salem 12-8 and not giving up any home runs. Their pitchers allowed six walks, including five by reliever Matthias Dietz, who took the loss as he allowed four runs, two earned, in 1.2 innings late in the game.

Shortstop Mason McCoy continued a blazing hot start to the season with a 2-4 effort that included a walk. He’s now OPSing .990 so far this year. Jarrett added another three hits in this game for five on the day, and Ryan Ripken, nephew of Billy, also had a multi-hit game.

Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Lakewood (Phillies) 5

The Shorebirds trailed this game 5-0 heading into the ninth inning. That’s because they were two outs away from getting no-hit when their offense finally woke up. When it woke up, it did so in a big way. The game was capped off by a walkoff grand slam hit by Jean Carlos Encarnacion, part of last July’s Kevin Gausman trade. Check the video:

I believe the word for that is legendary.

Though they were nearly no-hit, Delmarva batters drew a whopping nine walks in the game. That included three walks by shortstop Adam Hall and a pair by outfielder Robert Neustrom, two early standout prospects for the Shorebirds. Cadyn Grenier drove in a pair of runs with a ninth inning double and also drew a walk in the game. At a 7-1 record, Delmarva is the best-performing O’s affiliate so far and it’s not close.

Complete box scores from yesterday’s games can be found here.

Sunday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs. Toledo, 1:05. Starter: Yefry Ramirez
• Bowie: vs. Harrisburg, 1:35. Starter: Zac Lowther
• Frederick: at Salem, 2:05. Starter: Cody Sedlock
• Delmarva: vs. Lakewood, 2:05. Starter: Nick Vespi