Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 5, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins) 0
Tides pitching dominated the day in this one. Right-hander Levi Wells, in his fifth start at the Triple-A level, delivered his best outing yet. He worked six innings of one-hit, shutout ball. He issued four walks, but he did a good job of erasing baserunners by inducing a trio of 6-4-3 double plays. Three Norfolk relievers — Corbin Martin, Grant Wolfram, and Anthony Nunez — worked a scoreless inning apiece to complete the shutout.
Rehabbing catchers Adley Rutschman and Gary Sánchez were both in the
lineup — the latter as the DH — and both performed well. Rutschman had a hit, a run, an RBI, and a walk, and he threw out a basestealer. Sánchez went 2-for-4 with a homer against ex-Orioles farmhand Morgan McSweeney. Sánchez has three homers on his rehab assignment that started 10 days ago. I’m unclear on whether the O’s are going to bother bringing him back to the active roster for the final week of the season, especially if they’re already planning to activate Rutschman.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. was 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Jud Fabian took another 0-for-3 with two strikeouts but contributed a walk and an RBI.
Former O’s prospect Matthew Etzel was in the lineup for Jacksonville. Part of the Zach Eflin trade with Tampa Bay last year, the Rays dealt him to Miami at this year’s deadline for catcher Nick Fortes. Etzel has posted a solid .745 OPS in 29 games since the Marlins promoted him to Triple-A.
Saturday’s scheduled game:
Norfolk: vs. Jacksonville, 6:35 PM. Starter: Thaddeus Ward (9-6, 5.34)
