Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 8, Norfolk Tides 4
A pair of two-run home runs was all the offense that the Tides could muster. Heston Kjerstad hit his sixth long ball of the season in the sixth inning, and Bryan Ramos went deep for the third time in the ninth inning to make the scoreline a bit more respectable. Jud Fabian and Ryan Noda were the two that scored on those homers. Enrique Bradfield Jr. went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Creed Willems took an 0-for-3.
Chris Kachmar started on the mound, allowing four runs on seven hits, two walks,
and four strikeouts. Dietrich Enns followed and had another tough outing. Across his 1.1 innings the lefty gave up a pair of runs on three hits (two homers), three walks, and two strikeouts. Hans Crouse and José Espada combined for 2.2 scoreless innings in the middle of the game before Cam Sanders allowed two runs on one hit (a homer), a walk, and a strikeout.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 7, Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) 3
Tavian Josenberger had a big game, hitting two home runs as part of his three-hit, three-RBI night at Prince George’s Stadium. Douglas Hodo added a pair of hits, including a double, two RBI, and a run scored. Frederick Bencosme had two hits out of the leadoff spot, and Brandon Butterworth went 1-for-5 with an RBI hitting right after him. Griff O’Ferrall had one hit, one run, and one stolen base. Fernando Peguero collected a hit and two stolen bases.
Juaron Watts-Brown’s turnaround continues. For the sixth consecutive start he lowered his season ERA. The box score doesn’t look amazing (5.1 innings, three runs), but he did it while striking out six and not allowing a single walk. The bullpen was money behind him. Zane Barnhart, Keagan Gillies, and Richard Guasch combined for 3.2 scoreless innings of relief to close out the win.
High-A: Frederick Keys 13, Rome Emperors (Braves) 8
All this Frederick offense does is put up big numbers. It happened again in this win. They collected 13 hits and six walks while going 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Wehiwa Aloy led the way with three hits, two runs scored, and five RBI. Ike Irish also had three hits, including a double, a walk, and a run scored. Aloy and Irish had one stolen bag each as well. Reed Trimble, Edwin Amparo, and Braylin Tavera hit one home run each. Tavera had three RBI for the game. Trimble also walked three times and scored four runs.
The pitching was not as universally successful. Yeiber Cartaya gave up three runs, four walks, and struck out five in his three innings. Ben Vespi coughed up three runs (two earned) in his two frames, and a rehabbing Cameron Foster allowed two solo homers in 1.1 innings. However, he late innings saw the relief corps lock things down. Chandler Marsh and Braeden Sloan combined for 2.2 scoreless innings to end the game.
Low-A: Hill City Howlers (Guardians) 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 4
Braylon Whitaker gave the Shorebirds a great effort at the top of the lineup. He singled three times, stole a base, and scored a run. Jaiden Lo Re added a single and a run scored. Junior Aybar doubled for the team’s only extra-base hit of the night and his 10th two-bagger on the season. Stiven Martinez had two of the team’s RBI and a walk. Miguel Rodríguez and Félix Amparao had one RBI each. Jordan Sanchez singled, walked, stole a base, and scored twice.
It was a mixed bad on the mound. Stephen Still lasted just four innings, but allowed only two runs on three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts. Teddy Sharkey followed with a shutout inning, and then Eccel Correa provided two scoreless innings after that. The Shorebirds lost the game in the eighth inning, when Zac Lampton was charged with allowing four runs on two hits, three walks, and a strikeout. Jack Crowder came on for the final out and allowed one of his inherited runners to score.
Thursday’s Schedule
Norfolk: at Charlotte, 7:04. Starter: Cade Povich (0-3, 6.59 ERA)
Chesapeake: vs Erie, 6:35 pm. Starter: Sebastian Gongora (8-4, 3.49 ERA)
Frederick: at Rome, 6:45 pm. Starter: Caden Hunter (2-1, 1.83 ERA)
Delmarva: at Hill City, Game 1, 5:00 pm. Starter: Christian Rodriguez (5-4, 2.71 ERA)
Delmarva: at Hill City, Game 2, TBD. Starter: TBA
