Orioles minor league recap 6/24: Garrett Stallings and Blaine Knight impress on the bump

Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 9 vs. Gwinnett (Braves) Stripers 3 - Game 1

Ryan McKenna led the Norfolk offense in the first of a double dip. The centerfielder launched his fifth home run of the season, walked, and scored two runs on the day. Ramon Urías recorded the only other multi-hit afternoon, smacking two doubles in this one. J.C. Escarra hit a homer in his Triple-A debut. Jahmai Jones added his fourth double of the year. Every other hitter in the lineup had a base hit apart from Domingo Leyba, who took an 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

Spenser Watkins nearly went the distance in this abbreviated affair. Over six innings he allowed three runs on three hits, a walk, and four strikeouts. Fernando Abad finished things off with a scoreless inning, striking out two and serving up two hits.

Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 5 vs. Gwinnett (Braves) Stripers 2 - Game 2

Leyba redeemed himself from the poor showing in Game 1 by going 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, and a walk in Game 2. Tyler Nevin chipped in with his ninth homer of the season, a solo shot that came in the first inning. McKenna, Yusniel Diaz, Brett Cumberland, and Mason McCoy each singled. Jones had a hit and a walk, raising his OPS to 1.028.

The Tides needed five pitchers to get through seven innings. Most of them did well, with the lone exception being Shawn Armstrong, who gave up two runs on five hits and three strikeouts over 1.2 innings. Manny Barreda had the finest showing, tossing three scoreless innings. While it was Dusten Knight that took the win with his one inning out of the bullpen. Cody Carroll added a hold, and Eric Hanhold notched his second save of the season.

Double-A: New Hampshire (Blue Jays) Fisher Cats 10, Bowie Baysox 3

Blaine Knight pitched well once again for Bowie. Over five innings, the lanky right hander allowed just one run on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. He left the game in good position to get a win. But the bullpen imploded behind him. Cody Sedlock worked 2.1 innings but fell apart in the eighth inning. All in all, Sedlock gave up five runs on two hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Tim Naughton was no better, serving up four runs on two hits and three walks while recording just one out. Tyler Erwin would eventually come on to calm things and get the final four outs for the Bowie staff.

There was limited good news on the offensive side as well. Adley Rutschman and Kyle Stowers both doubled. Rutschman added a walk, Stowers an RBI. Robert Neustrom tripled for the first time this year, driving in two runs in the process. The only players without a hit were Toby Welk and Malquin Canelo.

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 3, Rome Braves 2 - F/11

Garrett Stallings had one of his best outings in the IronBirds’ extra-inning win. The University of Tennessee product started here, and made his way through six innings, surrendering two runs on four hits, seven strikeouts, and no walks. From there, the bullpen took over and locked down the Braves lineup. Felix Bautista struck out four over two innings. Logan Gillaspie sat down five batters on strikes during his two innings. And Easton Lucas earned the win with his single scoreless frame.

Aberdeen’s bats provided less excitement. Gunnar Henderson remains without a batting average at High-A, taking an 0-for-2 with two strikeouts here, but he did walk three times. J.D. Mundy, Dylan Harris, and Maverick Handley had two hits each. Harris, Handley, and Jordan Westburg each doubled. As a group, the IronBirds struck out 20 times, and each starter struck out at least once.

Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 2

The only Shorebirds hitter with more than one hit was third baseman Yorkislandy Alvarez, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his first taste of full-season action. Other players with hits were Mason Janvrin, Darell Hernaiz, Hudson Haskin, and Ryne Ogren. Janvrin and Haskin had the team’s only two RBI.

Delmarva’s pitching staff gave up just one earned run all night because the defense behind them made a trio of errors, one apiece for Ogren, Alvarez, and Andrew Martinez. Griffin McLarty delivered four innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, four strikeouts, and no walks. Leonardo added a scoreless inning. And Jake Lyons tossed the final four innings with some effectively wild stuff. The 6-foot-5 righty gave up a run on four hits, three walks, and six strikeouts.

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

Thursday’s scheduled games

• Norfolk: vs Gwinnett, 7:05. Starter: Zac Lowther (0-2, 3.98 ERA)
• Bowie: vs New Hampshire, 6:35. Starter: Kyle Brnovich (Double-A Debut)
• Aberdeen: vs Rome, 7:05. Starter: Kevin Magee (Season Debut)
• Delmarva: vs Fredericksburg, 7:05. Starter: Brandon Young (2-0, 3.45 ERA)