Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 6, Syracuse Mets 5
All six of the Norfolk runs came in to score on home runs. José Barrero hit two long balls and drove in three runs, and so did Jud Fabian. Barrerro is up to 14 homers on the season while Fabian has just reached double digits at 10 overall. Silas Ardoin’s single was their only other hit, but the team did work six total walks, including two from Creed Willems.
Trace Bright was the Tides starter. He lasted 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on four hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts. The bullpen was quite
good in support. Gerald Ogando, Kyle Nicolas, Nick Raquet, and Andrew Magno combined for 4.2 innings and allowed only one run on one hit, eight (!!!) walks, and six strikeouts.
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) 5, Chesapeake Baysox 3
It was a slow night for the Chesapeake lineup, although they made the most of the limited opportunities that they had. The team went 3-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left just three runners on base. Anderson De Los Santos had three hits, including a double. But it was Willy Vasquez that did most of the damage with his first Triple-A homer of the season, stole a base, and scored twice. Carter Young drove in the other Baysox run with an RBI single.
Luis De León got knocked around a bit on the mound. Over 4.1 innings he gave up three runs on five hits, two home runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. Jeisson Cabrera worked a scoreless 1.2 innings. Zane Barnhart took the loss, allowing two runs in his 1.2 frames. And Ryan Long worked the final 1.1 innings without giving up a run.
High-A: Frederick Keys 9, Hub City Spartanburgers (Rangers) 3 – F/7
The entire Frederick lineup got involved in this win. Every starter reached base at least once, and seven of the nine had one hit or more. Ike Irish hit a two-run homer, his 10th bomb of the season. Victor Figueroa went deep for the 18th time as part of his 2-for-4 day. Wehiwa Aloy also went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Braylin Tavera collected a pair of doubles while Vance Honeycutt had one two-bagger.
Caden Hunter put together a nice, but brief, start on the mound. Over four innings he gave up just one run on four hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. His Double-A ERA is down to 2.76. Braeden Sloan worked two scoreless innings in relief to nab the win. Jacob Cravey had a tough time, serving up a pair or runs in just one inning but held on to close out the Keys victory.
High-A: Frederick Keys 9, Hub City Spartanburgers (Rangers) 1 – F/7
The Keys’ second game of the day brought even more good news. The lineup collected 10 hits and went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Figueroa hit another homer, this time it was a first-inning grand slam to give the good guys an early lead. Leandro Arias also went deep for his third long ball of the year. Irish had a double, two walks, a run scored, and two RBI. Tavera and Colin Tuft also had one double each. RJ Austin went 2-for-3 with two walks, three stolen bases, three runs scored, and an RBI. Tuft added two swiped bags of his own.
Kiefer Lord was great on the mound. He worked 6.1 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, no walks, and nine strikeouts. The one run he did allow came on the final pitch of his outing, a double that drove in a runner from second base. Raimon Gomez came on to close out the win, and did just that. He struck out the second batter he faced to wrap up the win.
Low-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs) 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 6
A tough night on the mound for Stephen Still sunk the Shorebirds chances in this one. The 24-year-old lefty had his first stinker in affiliated ball. Over 4.2 innings he gave up seven runs on eight hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. His ERA at Low-A ballooned from 1.13 coming into the start to 3.92 now. The two relievers that followed him, J.D. Hennen and Brendan Parks, did well to settle things down. They combined for 4.1 shutout innings with eight strikeouts.
There were some good things on offense, though the team went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. DJ Layton drove in three total runs, one via a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, and two more with a double in the ninth inning. Braylon Whitaker went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Elvin Garcia had two hits, including a double. Jaiden Lo Re, who has done well since his recent promotion, went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Miguel Rodriguez singled, walked, and scored a run.
Thursday’s Schedule
Norfolk: at Syracuse, 6:35. Starter: Enoli Paredes (2-5, 5.81 ERA)
Chesapeake: vs Richmond, 6:35 pm. Starter: Juaron Watts-Brown (0-5, 8.78 ERA)
Frederick: vs Hub City, 7:00 pm. Starter: J.T. Quinn (2-0, 3.27 ERA)
Delmarva: vs Myrtle Beach, 7:05 pm. Starter: Christian Rodriguez (3-3, 3.43 ERA)
