Orioles minor league recap 9/2: Kevin Smith bounces back for Norfolk

Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 7, Norfolk Tides 2 - Game 1/F7

The Tides turned to a lot of familiar names on the bump in this loss. Zac Lowther started and turned in a decent line of 5.2 innings, four hits, three runs, one walk, four strikeouts, and a home run. All three of the runs he allowed came in the second inning with the first scoring on a throwing error by Lowther himself, and the other two coming on an ensuing home run.

Paul Fry threw a scoreless third of an inning. Hunter Harvey was less effective, serving up four runs on four hits, including a home run, in just two-thirds of an inning. Manny Barreda came on to get the final out, and would do so, but not before allowing one of his inherited runners to score.

Norfolk’s offense couldn’t manage to put up much of a fight, being held scoreless for the game’s final four innings. Four different players doubled: Adley Rutschman, Richie Martin, Tyler Nevin, and J.C. Escarra. Zach Jarrett’s single was the only hit that didn’t go for extra bases. Rutschman and Nevin had one RBI each.

Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 3, Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 1 - Game 2/F6

Kevin Smith’s time at Triple-A this season has had its ups and downs, but this start was most certainly an “up.” The lefty didn’t allow a run over five innings while walking just one and striking out four. His season ERA is down to 5.28. Eric Hanhold was tasked with getting the save, and although he did run into some trouble by allowing a run on a walk and a hit, he did eventually get the game’s final three outs.

Robert Neustrom was the offensive star in Norfolk. He loaded up the box score with a single, double, run scored, and a stolen base in three at-bats. Nevin added a hit and a run scored. Jarrett walked and scored a run. Cody Roberts doubled for the second time at Triple-A, and Yusniel Diaz went 1-for-2 with a single and an RBI.

Double-A: Bowie Baysox vs Somerset Patriots (Yankees) - PPD

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) - PPD

Low-A: Carolina Mudcats (Brewers) 10, Delmarva Shorebirds 8

The good news was that the Shorebirds’ star-studded lineup continued to produce runs. Every single starter had at least one hit, and a majority of the lineup reached base at least twice. Billy Cook, John Rhodes, and Coby Mayo each doubled. As a team, they stole five bases with Darell Hernaiz accounting for two of them. Jacob Teter led the team with three RBI. Colton Cowser and Connor Norby combined to go 2-for-8.

It’s less fun looking at the team’s pitching lines. Ty Blach tossed two scoreless innings, but it got ugly behind him. Shane Davis had some bad luck as Teter made an error at first base, which prolonged the inning and ended up costing Delmarva when the Mudcats smacked a three-run homer. Leonardo was next out of the ‘pen, and he just got hit around a whole bunch, allowing five runs on three hits, two walks, a strikeout, and a home run. Daniel Lloyd settled things down with 1.2 scoreless innings before Thomas Girard came in for the final inning and allowed a solo home run.

Complete box scores from all of Wednesday’s games can be found here. The Orioles’ Dominican Summer League and Florida Complex League teams were both off.

Thursday’s scheduled games

• Norfolk: vs Charlotte, 7:05. Starter: TBD
• Bowie: vs Somerset, 5:35. Starter: Gray Fenter (4-3, 6.23 ERA) - Game 1
• Bowie vs Somerset, TBD. Starter: TBD - Game 2
• Aberdeen: vs Jersey Shore, 7:05. Starter: Brandon Young (0-1, 4.57 ERA)
• Delmarva: at Carolina, 7:00. Starter: Jake Lyons (4-3, 3.66 ERA)