Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 7, Norfolk Tides 0 – Game 1 F/7
The Redbirds outhit the Tides 13-3 in a lopsided seven-inning result. Nestor German started Game 1 and failed to complete two innings. German allowed five earned runs on six hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Despite the result, Baltimore fans should be happy to know that Ryan Helsley looked sharp in his first rehab appearance. The closer struck out three batters and allowed a single in a scoreless inning. The Baltimore Sun’s Jacob Calvin Meyer reported that Helsley averaged 97.7 MPH and topped out at 99.7
MPH with his fastball.
Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 6, Norfolk Tides 2 – Game 2 F/7
The Tides managed to get on the scoreboard in this one, but Memphis completed the Thursday sweep. Former Oriole Bruce Zimmermann allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over 5.2 innings.
Dietrich Enns started a bullpen game for Norfolk and failed to complete the first. Enns allowed five runs after issuing four walks and surrendering a two-run homer.
Tommy Pham went deep in what was likely his last game in a Tides uniform. The Sun’s Josh Tolentino reported yesterday evening that Pham plans to opt out of his minor league deal.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. finished 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Johnathan Rodríguez tallied Norfolk’s other two hits.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 4, Altoona Curve (Pirates) 0
The Baysox took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but the Curve managed a two-out single. Luis De León tossed five hitless innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. Alex Pham, Keagan Gillies and Micah Ashman completed the shutout for Chesapeake.
Aron Estrada gave Chesapeake an early lead with a solo shot in the first inning, and Fernando Peguero doubled the advantage with an RBI-single in the second. Estrada manufactured two more runs with a pair of ground outs in the fifth and ninth innings. Six of Chesapeake’s ten hits came from the seven, eight and nine hitters. Carter Young went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, and two runs scored.
High-A: Frederick Keys 3, Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) 2
Frederick scored in the fifth, seventh, and eighth innings to squeak out a 3-2 win. Elis Cuevas got the Keys on the board with a solo homer in the fifth inning. Cuevas evened the score at two with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, and Victor Figueroa drove in the go-ahead run with a sac fly in the eighth.
Leandro Arias finished 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot. Ike Irish went hitless in four trips, and Wehiwa Aloy managed a hit and a run in four at bats.
Vance Honeycutt left the game with left quad tightness.
The Tides scored the tying run off of former Orioles prospect Justin Armbruester. Armbruester found his way to High-A on a rehab assignment.
Low-A: Columbia Fireflies (Royals) 9, Delmarva Shorebirds 8
Delmarva led this game 8-0 and still found a way to lose. Eat your heart out, San Antonio Spurs.
Brendan Parks and Eccel Correa allowed nine runs (eight earned) in the seventh and eighth innings. Delmarva starter Stephen Still did his part with four scoreless frames. Still limited Columbia to two hits and two walks. He struck out seven.
Edwin Amparo extended the lead to eight with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Amparo, Braylon Whitaker, Stiven Martinez, and Raylin Ramos all recorded multiple hits. Jose Perez doubled and scored a run.
Friday’s Schedule
Norfolk: vs Memphis, 6:35 pm. Starter: TBD
Chesapeake: at Altoona, 6:00 pm. Starter: Juaron Watts-Brown (0-4, 8.39 ERA)
Frederick: at Brooklyn, 6:40 pm. Starter: Yeiber Cartaya (0-0, 1.42 ERA)
Delmarva: at Columbia, 7:05 pm. Starter: Christian Rodriguez (2-3, 3.51 ERA)
