Orioles minor league recap 8/15: Michael Baumann tosses another complete game shutout

Norfolk Tides 5, Pawtucket (Red Sox) 4

It was a tough outing for Bruce Zimmermann. The Tides starter allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. But he also struck out six batters in that time span. Luckily, the Norfolk bullpen was lights out in relief. Jay Flaa struck out four over 2.1 scoreless innings. Hunter Harvey K’ed all three batters he faced, and both Hunter Cervenka and Tayler Scott delivered one scoreless frame each.

The Tides offense came back from an early three-run deficit. Mason Williams led the charge with two hits, including his 16th home run of the season. Rylan Bannon added his first Triple-A double. DJ Stewart and Austin Wynns both delivered a pair of singles. Ryan Mountcastle was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while Austin Hays was 1-for-2 with a trio of walks.

Bowie Baysox 4, Richmond (Giants) 0

Cedric Mullins’s late-season surge at the plate continues. The center fielder was 3-for-4, including a double, with two runs scored. Carlos Perez homered for the 11th time. Mason McCoy added a hit in four trips to the plate. Ryan McKenna took an 0-for-2 with a walk.

But the real story in this game was Michael Baumann’s latest impressive start on the mound. The Baysox righty tossed nine shutout innings, striking out seven, walking two and allowing four hits. His season ERA is now down to 1.86.

Salem (Red Sox) 7, Frederick Keys 5

Blaine Knight just has not been able figure out the Carolina League yet. The third round pick from 2018 saw his ERA balloon again after allowing four runs on seven hits, a walk and five strikeouts in five innings of work. That said, he did leave the game in a position to earn the win. But Kieran Lovegrove’s struggles out of the bullpen put an end to those hopes. Lovegrove allow three runs on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Tim Naughton finished things up with 1.1 scoreless innings.

On a positive note, there were a few intriguing offensive performances. J.C. Escarra had a game-high four hits plus two RBI. Patrick Dorrian smacked his sixth double of the season. And both Cadyn Grenier and Sean Miller singled twice.

Delmarva Shorebirds 8, West Virginia (Mariners) 3

What do ya know, another well-rounded team win for the Shorebirds. It started with an 11-hit onslaught from the lineup. Cody Roberts had three of those hits, all singles. Johnny Rizer and Shayne Fontana also had multi-hit games. Fontanta and Alexis Torres added one double apiece.

Gray Fenter started on the mound and put together a solid night. Over his five innings of work, he served up two runs on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts. His relief help was impervious. Matt De La Rosa and Jhon Peluffo combined for two shutout innings to close out the latest Delmarva win.

Aberdeen IronBirds 5, Tri-City (Astros) 4

It’s all about Adley Rutschman in Aberdeen. The top pick played behind the plate, where he did make a throwing error. But he also went 2-for-3 with the stick, both hits being doubles. Other IronBirds with multi-hit performances were Ian Evans and Irving Ortega. Andrew Fregia also homered and drove in three runs.

Leonardo Rodriguez took the lion’s share of the innings on the mound. The starter tossed five frames while allowing four runs on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts. But it was Malachi Emond who took the win after his two no-hit innings. Marlon Constante recorded a hold for his perfect inning. And Kade Strowd earned his second save with a two-strikeout inning to close out the game.

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

Thursday’s Scheduled Games

Norfolk: at Pawtucket, 12:05 p.m. Starter: David Hess (2-1, 4.15 ERA)

Bowie: vs Richmond, 7:05 p.m. Starter: Tyler Herb (2-2, 4.83 ERA)

Frederick: at Salem, 7:05 p.m. Starter: Ofelky Peralta (1-2, 6.59 ERA)

Delmarva: at Lakewood (Phillies), 7:05 p.m. Starter: Drew Rom (6-2, 2.64 ERA)

Aberdeen: at Tri-City, 7 p.m. Starter: Ryan Conroy (4-3, 2.33 ERA)