Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 9, Norfolk Tides 7
The Norfolk offense had plenty of runners on base against old friend Bruce Zimmermann and the rest of the Memphis pitching staff. They collected 12 hits and five walks, but they also struck out 14 times and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Jud Fabian had a nice day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two runs scored, and four RBI. Christian Encarnacion-Strand added a home run and two RBI. Bryan Ramos had a three-hit day while Creed Willems laced a pair of singles. Silas
Ardoin smacked a double for the team’s only other extra-base knock.
Nestor German had a tough evening on the mound. He lasted just 3.2 innings while allowing five runs on seven hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. However, it was Ryan Long that got saddled with the loss. He allowed both of his inherited runners to score and was then charged with three runs on his own as he gave up two homers across 1.1 innings of relief. Andrew Kittredge continued his rehab. He gave up a solo home run and recorded three outs. His ERA with Norfolk sits at 15.19. Keegan Akin followed with a shutout inning, as did Gerald Ogando and Jayvien Sandridge
Double-A: Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) 8, Chesapeake Baysox 4
Ethan Anderson was the standout in the Chesapeake lineup. The first baseman went 3-f0r-5 with an RBI. His batting average is up to .357. Tavian Josenberger had two more singles and a stolen base. Carter Young was the only member of the lineup to have multiple RBI, knocking them both in with a single in the second inning.
Five different Baysox pitchers took the mound in the losing performance. Evan Yates started and really struggled with control. He walked six baters over 3.1 innings, which contributed to the three runs he allowed. Eric Torres took the loss by giving up a run on two hits, three walks, and three strikeouts over 1.1 innings. Ben Vespi had the best pitching performance of the game with three strikeouts over 2.1 shutout frames. Zane Barnhart coughed up four runs (two earned) over his 1.1 innings before Jean Henriquez recorded to final two outs.
High-A: Frederick Keys 18, Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) 2
Every member of the Frederick lineup contributed to this onslaught. Nate George led the way with five hits, three runs, three RBI, and a stolen base. Victor Figueroa brought the power, smacking two home runs as part of his 3-for-5 game that included four runs and five RBI. RJ Austin and Vance Honeycutt also hit home runs. Austin was a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with two walks and two runs scored. Ike Irish added a single, a stolen base, a walk, and two runs. Braylin Tavera went 2-for-2 with two walks, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. It was a good day at the plate!
Joseph Dzierwa had plenty of wiggle room thanks to his offense’s support, but he didn’t need it. The southpaw delivered five innings and allowed just two runs (one earned) on four hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts. His season ERA is down to 2.35. Braeden Sloan and Juan Rojas closed out the winning performance with two shutout innings apiece.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 11, Wilson Warbirds (Brewers) 7
Delmarva were outhit by Wilson 14-to-9, but they outscored them anyway because of how efficient they were with runners on base. Delmarva went 6-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left just five runners on base. Conversely, Wilson left 12 runners on base.
Juan Ortega had a pair of triples and led the team with three RBI on the day. He also stole home. In general, it was not the sort of performance you expect from a catcher, let alone one in the eight hole with a .568 OPS on the season. Joshua Liranzo, Raylin Ramos, and Andrés Nolaya added two hits each, one of which was a Nolaya double. Liranzo also swiped a pair of bases.
The Shorebirds deployed three pitchers to get through the nine innings. Brayan Orrantia provided four innings as the starter, allowing two runs on five hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. Dalton Neuschwander added 2.2 innings in which he gave up four runs on six hits, two walks, and a strikeout. Adrian Heredia snagged the win by throwing the final 2.1 innings and limiting the damage to one run on three hits, a walk, and four strikeouts.
Thursday’s Schedule
Norfolk: vs Memphis, 12:05 pm. Starter: Levi Wells (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
Chesapeake: vs Akron, 11:05 pm. Starter: Luis De León (1-1, 6.92 ERA)
Frederick: vs Wilmington, 7:00 pm. Starter: JT Quinn (1-0, 0.64 ERA)
Delmarva: vs Wilson, 7:05 pm. Starter: Esteban Mejia (0-2, 11.05 ERA)
