Orioles minor league recap 5/22: Grayson Rodriguez dazzles on the mound for Aberdeen

Triple-A: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 1, Norfolk Tides 0

It was a rough night for the Tides, who were not only shut out but lost by a single run. A superb started from Norfolk starter Connor Greene was squandered too. The right-hander went seven innings and gave up just one run on four hits and a walk. He also struck out seven batters and lowered his ERA to 6.14.

It the first Triple-A appearance of outfielder Zach Jarrett’s professional career, and he went 2-for-3 with a single and a double. On the same night he was sent down to make room for Anthony Santander on the Orioles roster, Ryan McKenna batted third for the Tides and went 1-for-4 with a single and a stolen base.

Unfortunately, Norfolk couldn’t capitalize on the few chances it had to generate offense. In the fifth inning, Seth Mejias-Brean and Zach Jarrett reached base on a single and a double, respectively. Both were stranded when Ryan Ripken flew out to end the inning. In the ninth, back-to-back singles by Ryan McKenna and Brett Cumberland were wasted once Austin Wynns struck out and Rylan Bannon grounded out to end the game.

Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels 9, Bowie Baysox 4

On the road in Virginia, the Baysox were outgunned by the Flying Squirrels. Even though Richmond starter Tristan Beck got roughed up to the tune of four runs over five innings, it didn’t matter in the end. Bowie’s hitting attacked was led by center fielder Jaylen Ferguson, who had a solo home run, and designated hitter Patrick Dorian with a two-run blast. Adley Rutschman went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Bowie’s Ofelky Peralta struck out nine batters in four innings and two unearned runs scored on his watch in the third due to a throwing error by first baseman J.C. Escarra. Three relievers behind Peralta combined to allow seven earned runs over the final four innings.

High-A: Aberdeen Ironbirds 5, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2

Grayson Rodriguez led the charge for the Ironbirds last night, securing his second win of the season with six innings of one-run ball. He registered eight strikeouts and allowed one hit — it just happened to be a solo home run. Rodriguez’s ERA stands at a pristine 1.47 after the outing.

Right-fielder Zach Watson hit his first home run of the year for Aberdeen, a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning, and was caught stealing as well. Third baseman AJ Graffanino had a two-run single in the bottom of the third, and second baseman Adam Hall was 1-for-3 with a stolen base, his fifth of the year. Designated hitter Kyle Stowers went 2-for-4 from the cleanup spot and had an RBI double in the bottom of the first.

Low-A: Carolina Mudcats 14, Delmarva Shorebirds 7

Despite a big night on offense from the Shorebirds, they lost a slugfest to Carolina. Gunnar Henderson continued his assault on High-A East pitching with a 2-for-5 night that included two RBI and his fifth home run of the season. He’s currently batting .310 with a 1.026 OPS. His infield counterpart Jordan Westburg remained hot as well, going 2-for-4 to raise his average to .392. He too has an OPS over 1.000.

Starter Zack Peek lasted three innings on the mound, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) with zero walks and six strikeouts. Delmarva pitching gave up a total of five unearned runs over the course of the night due to throwing errors by Westburg, second baseman Anthony Servideo, and catcher Jordan Cannon. The Shorebirds bullpen in particular surrendered seven free passes and gave up 12 runs, although four of those runs were unearned.

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

Saturday’s scheduled games

• Norfolk vs. Jacksonville, 7:05 PM. Starter: Josh Rogers (0-2, 7.50 ERA)
• Bowie at Richmond, 6:05 PM. Starter: David Lebron (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
• Aberdeen vs. Wilmington, 6:05 PM. Starter: TBD
• Delmarva vs. Carolina, 7:05 PM. Starter: Jake Lyons (0-1, 13.50 ERA)