Orioles minor league recap 6/5: Blaine Knight pitched Bowie to victory, Aberdeen eked out a win, and Delmarva lost a close one

Triple-A: Norfolk Tides at Durham (Rays) Bulls POSTPONED

Double-A: Bowie Baysox 6, Hartford (Rockies) Yard Goats 2

A former third-round pick of the O’s in 2018, starter Blaine Knight earned a win in his Bowie debut against the Yard Goats yesterday. Knight threw 80 pitches (53 strikes), and scattered seven hits over six innings of work. He only allowed two runs while walking one batter and striking out six. After last night’s game, his ERA is an even 3.00.

Bowie managed to cobble together six runs without the aid of the long ball, and all of their damage came in the fourth inning. Chris Hudgins had a two-run single on a popup to first base, Robert Neustrom had a two-run double, Hudgins scored on an error, and Johnny Rizer added an RBI triple. Adley Rutschman, the DH and no. 3 hitter for Bowie last night, went 1-for-4 with a run scored. He’s currently slashing .264/.429/.495 at the plate.

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 4, Hickory (Rangers) Crawdads 3

In his first start of the 2021 season for Aberdeen, Connor Gillispie spun a six-inning, one-run gem that included only three hits allowed, with one walk and seven strikeouts. His previous season-high for innings pitched was four, and that came out of the bullpen. After Friday’s superb outing, Gillispie’s ERA stands at 1.64.

Backed by a pair of home runs, the IronBirds offense was just a tad better than Hickory. Outfielder Kyle Stowers hit a solo homer, his third of the season, and designated hitter J.D. Mundy hit a two-run shot, his second for Aberdeen. Third baseman Toby Welk contributed a sacrifice fly. Jordan Westburg took a rare 0-for-4 night at the plate, and he is only hitting .182 at Aberdeen.

Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 2

The Shorebirds’ offense was held in check on Friday night, only able to muster two runs. That limited firepower was the result of two solo home runs, courtesy of second baseman Andrew Martinez and first baseman TT Bowens (who also singled). The only other Shorebird with a hit was Gunnar Henderson, who went 1-for-3 with a walk.

Starter Griffin McLarty took the loss for Delmarva by allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings with three hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. The battery of McLarty and catcher Ramon Rodriguez was responsible for throwing out two runners last night. After six appearances (including three starts) in 2021, McLarty’s ERA is 3.92.

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

Saturday’s scheduled games

• Norfolk at Durham, 6:35 PM. Starter: Thomas Eshelman (0-1, 6.00 ERA)
• Bowie at Hartford, 6:05 PM. Starter: TBD
• Aberdeen vs. Hickory, Game 1, 4:05 PM. Starter: TBD
• Aberdeen vs. Hickory, Game 2. Starter: TBD
• Delmarva at Fredericksburg, 6:05 PM. Starter: Ignacio Feliz (1-0, 1.15 ERA)