Orioles minor league recap 8/18: Colton Cowser and Connor Norby debut in a Delmarva win

Triple-A: Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights

Postponed due to inclement weather | Makeup on August 18

Double-A: Reading Fightin Phils 3, Bowie Baysox 2

Top prospect Grayson Rodriguez was on the bump last night for the Baysox, and he was sharp. He tossed 76 pitches (48 strikes) over the course of five innings and gave up a run. The only damage Reading inflicted was two hits and a walk, including an RBI single on a pop up to right fielder Kyle Stowers. Rodriguez fanned six Fightin Phils on the night. After allowing two runs in three innings, reliever Ryan Conroy took the loss for Bowie. He’s now 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA.

Bowie got their first run of the game in the top of the fourth to tie things up. Toby Welk was responsible for an RBI double on a pop up to right. Tough night for right fielders.

Reading got a run in the seventh to pull ahead. But the Baysox responded with an RBI groundout in the eighth to tie it again. Hopes were dashed in the ninth when Reading delivered a walkoff RBI single.

High Single-A: Wilmington Blue Rocks 4, Aberdeen Ironbirds 0

Nothing good happens after a leadoff walk. That proved to be true in two separate innings last night for the IronBirds. After a scoreless first, starter Jake Prizina walked the leadoff batter in the second and issued another free pass before an RBI single. In the third, two walks preceded a pair of RBI singles. The IronBirds’ lefty pitched four total innings, allowed three hits, four walks, and three runs with five strikeouts. He took the loss and saw his ERA rise to 3.67.

Wilmington tacked on another run in the sixth inning. Aberdeen’s offense, on the other hand, was shut out. They only mustered four hits in the game: one by Terrin Vavra, one by Willy Yahn, and two by Gunnar Henderson.

Low Single-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 10, Fredericksburg Nationals 1

At least one affiliate was firing on all cylinders last night. The Shorebirds exploded for 10 runs on 10 hits and six walks. They did all their scoring in the middle innings, starting with a two-run homer and RBI groundout in the fifth. In the sixth, Delmarva played small ball and it led to seven runs in that frame.

The entire lineup was made up of 2021 draft picks, plus 2020 draftee Coby Mayo, making their Low-A debuts. First-round draft pick Colton Cowser went 1-for-3 with a double, walk, run scored, and a RBI. Second-round pick Connor Norby went 1-for-4 with a RBI.

Catcher Connor Pavolony had himself a night by 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.

Shorebirds starter Houston Roth was a bit wild, but managed to pitch a solid game and get his seventh win regardless. He gave up three hits, three walks, and one run over five innings. He also recorded five strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 3.63. Four Shorebirds relievers combined to shut out Fredericksburg over the final four innings.

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

Wednesday’s scheduled games

• Norfolk at Charlotte, Game 1, 5:30 PM. Starter: Michael Baumann (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
• Norfolk at Charlotte, Game 2. Starter: TBD
• Bowie at Reading, 7:05 PM. Starter: TBD
• Aberdeen vs. Wilmington, 7:05 PM. Starter: TBD
• Delmarva vs. Fredericksburg, 7:05 PM. Starter: TBD