Triple-A: Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 9, Norfolk Tides 6 — 10 inn.
The Tides went to extra innings in a 6-6 tie, but a three-run top of the 10th for Gwinnett spelled defeat. The rarely scored-upon lefty Andrew Magno gave up all three runs to raise his ERA to 1.26. Before that, erstwhile Orioles Dietrich Enns and Anthony Nunez each worked two scoreless innings. Starter Cade Povich was unimpressive in his first start since his demotion from the Orioles. He gave up six runs (four earned) and eight hits in five innings.
Norfolk looked good offensively. The Tides had
12 hits and went 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Leadoff man Enrique Bradfield Jr. set the table by reaching base all five times, with four hits and a walk, and also stole two bases. Now that’s the type of performance that can get EBJ in the conversation for a call-up. His OPS is up to .693. Creed Willems also had two hits.
Now here’s the bad news: the Tides’ defense was absolutely atrocious. They committed five (5!) errors in this game. At least it wasn’t any legitimate prospects making the misplays. Catcher Sam Huff had two throwing errors, and three of the four infielders — Ryan Noda, Luis Vázquez, and José Barrero — were charged with a miscue apiece.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 9, Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) 3
It’s Aron Estrada’s world, and we’re all just living in it. The Orioles’ infield prospect had the game of his life for the Baysox, going 5-for-5 and crushing two home runs to lead Chesapeake to a blowout win. Batting leadoff, Estrada set the tone for the night by smashing the first pitch of the game for a dinger, and followed with a two-run blast in the third. A double and two singles completed his superb performance. He boosted his OPS by 33 points to .823.
Estrada’s double-play partner Wehiwa Aloy also had a fine night at the plate with three hits, and Victor Figueroa and Dom Keegan both homered. Eight different batters had at least one hit as part of Chesapeake’s 15-hit outburst.
The Baysox needed just two pitchers in this game. Starter JT Quinn worked the first four innings, giving up one run and striking out six, and Trace Bright was excellent in long relief, throwing five frames and fanning seven. The only two runs Bright gave up were unearned.
High-A: Frederick Keys 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) 3
It was a productive night at the plate for the Keys, who scored all eight of their runs on a quartet of homers. Newcomer Enddy Azocar (acquired in the Adley Rutschman trade) continued to rake, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. Azocar has eight extra-base hits and a 1.037 OPS in nine games since joining the O’s organization. Braylin Tavera and RJ Austin each hit a two-run homer, and Vance Honeycutt added a solo shot. Rough day for shortstop DJ Layton, who was 0-for-4 and committed two errors.
Starter Twine Palmer went two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his return from a three-week IL stint. Bulk reliever Carson Dorsey handled the next five innings, and Braeden Sloan worked two perfect frames for the save.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Salem RidgeYaks (Red Sox) 3
Just like the Baysox and Keys, the Shorebirds put together a solid game on both sides of the ball. Dare I say that Esteban Mejia showed signs of progress? Limited to three innings in this game, Mejia gave up three hits but impressively didn’t walk anybody. It was the first of his 19 starts this year without a free pass, a big step for a guy who’s been averaging more than 12 walks per nine innings.
The Shorebirds offense had a singles party, as all 11 of their hits in this game were one-basers. Jhomnardo Reyes, the Dean Kremer trade return, had two hits and an RBI, as did second baseman Elvin Garcia. Bulk reliever Brayan Orrantia notched the win with five innings of two-run ball.
Sunday’s scheduled games:
- Norfolk: vs. Gwinnett, 1:05 PM. Starter: Michael Forret (1-2, 4.78)
- Chesapeake: at Reading, 5:15 PM. Starter: Caden Hunter (1-2, 4.50)
- Frederick: vs. Bowling Green, 3:00 PM. Starter: Boston Bateman (4-3, 3.93)
- Delmarva: vs. Salem, 5:05 PM. Starter: Francisco Morao (0-0, 5.06)
