Orioles minor league recap 8/22: Rutschman reaches base twice, guides pitching staff to shutout in Delmarva debut

Gwinnett (Braves) 6, Norfolk Tides 2

Ryan Mountcastle’s streak of home runs came to an end with an 0-4 day at the dish. Jack Reinheimer’s 13th double of the season was Norfolk’s only extra base hit in the game. Reinheimer also drove in both of their runs. Dwight Smith Jr., Austin Hays, Mason Williams, Austin Wynns and Zach Vincej each added a single apiece.

David Hess started on the mound and had a very David Hess kind of day. He allowed four runs on five hits, three home runs, two walks and eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Ryan Eades tossed two-thirds of an inning to finish up the fifth before handing the ball to Tom Eshelman, who threw the final four innings, allowing two runs on six hits and five strikeouts.

Bowie Baysox 7, Binghamton (Mets) 6

The Baysox snatched the win in the bottom of the tenth inning on a walk-off suicide squeeze off the bat of Ryan McKenna to score T.J. Nichting from third. Cedric Mullins had a nice game, racking up a trio of hits and two runs scored. Ryan Ripken was 2-for-5, including his first Bowie triple. Brett Cumberland went deep for the third time this season. And both Nichting and Zach Jarrett were 2-for-5 at the plate as well.

Cody Sedlock had a rocky day on the mound. The former first-round pick lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits, a home run, two walks and three strikeouts. But the Baysox offensive outburst left him with a no-decision. Luis Gonzalez added 2.1 innings and allowed two runs out of the ‘pen. Cristian Alvarado struck out four in two innings of relief. And Francisco Jimenez took the win with one perfect inning.

Game 1: Potomac (Nationals) 6, Frederick Keys 3

This was a continuation of a game that was rain shortened from earlier in the week. So, while everything mentioned here did technically happen in this game, it did not necessarily happen on Wednesday. Got it? Good!

Blaine Knight threw just one inning and allowed two runs on one hit, two walks and two strikeouts. He was relieved by Ofelky Peralta, who lasted 5.1 frames and served up four runs on three hits, a worrisome six walks, four strikeouts and a home run. At least Jhon Peluffo was effective. The righty worked 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out one batter in the process.

Daniel Fajardo delivered Frederick’s lone multi-hit performance of the day as he went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Chris Clare added a two-bagger of his own in three trips to the plate. Four other Keys hitters, including Robert Neustrom, added a single each.

Game 2: Keys 1, Potomac 0

It was all about pitching in the second game of the twin-billing. The Keys used three pitchers to throw seven shutout innings. Scott Burke started and went four innings, striking out sour and allowing three hits and a walk. Then it was Reed Hayes’s turn. The righty tossed two innings and gave up a hit while registering one punch out to get the win. Tim Naughton was the final Frederick pitcher sent to the mound. The 2017 draft pick went just one inning and allowed a hit and a walk to lower his season ERA to 1.86.

Delmarva Shorebirds 1, Greensboro (Pirates) 0

More outstanding pitching from an O’s affiliate. This time it took five hurlers to get through all nine innings. Gray Fenter struck out four in three innings of no-hit work. Nick Vespi added two innings in which he gave up two hits and struck out one. From there on out, no hits were allowed. Juan Echevarria struck out three in two innings. Matt De La Rosa added two K’s in his one inning. As did Ruben Garcia en route to his seventh save of the year.

You are all wondering the same thing. How did Adley Rutschman do in his Delmarva debut? He did not get a hit, but he did walk twice in his 0-for-2 performance and clearly did a nice job guiding the pitching staff to a shutout performance. The only RBI came from Shayne Fontana, who drove in Nick Horvath in the seventh inning. Johnny Rizer was 1-for-4. And Adam Hall had the same line as Rutschman, 0-for-2 with a pair of base on balls.

Aberdeen IronBirds

OFF

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

Thursday’s Scheduled Games

Norfolk: vs Gwinnett, 12:05 p.m. Starter: Dean Kremer (0-1, 12.46 ERA)

Bowie: vs Altoona (Pirates), 7:05 p.m. Starter: Zac Lowther (12-7, 2.77 ERA)

Frederick: vs Potomac, 7 p.m. Starter: Brenan Hanifee (8-9, 4.35 ERA)

Delmarva: vs Greensboro, 7:05 p.m. Starter: Drew Rom (6-2, 2.49 ERA)

Aberdeen: at Staten Island (Yankees), 7 p.m. Starter: TBD