Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 8, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins) 3
This was a well-played game all around for the Tides, starting with a quality start by Nestor German, who worked six innings and gave up three runs. He struck out five and walked one. It was German’s longest outing of the year. Nick Raquet, Cameron Foster, and Andrew Magno each worked a scoreless inning of relief. Magno’s outing lowered his season ERA to 0.92.
The Tides also brought their bats to Jacksonville, starting with 5’5” shortstop Payton Eeles, who crushed an opposite-field grand slam in the top of the third. It was part of a three-hit day for Eeles, who’s batting .364 with a .933 OPS. He stole a base, too. Heston Kjerstad broke out of an 0-for-7 drought by going 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand contributed two hits as well. The Tides had 16 baserunners and went 4-for-10 with RISP.
Outfielder Michael Siani, claimed on waivers from the Dodgers on Monday, made his organizational debut and went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Box score
Double-A: Somerset Patriots (Yankees) 8, Chesapeake Baysox 2
All eyes were on Joseph Dzierwa’s Double-A debut, and it started out about as brilliantly as possible. Dzierwa mowed through five scoreless innings, only giving up his first hit with two outs in the fifth. He struck out the side in the second inning. He was fantastic…until the top of the sixth, when he hit the wall in a big way. A leadoff error opened the floodgates for the Patriots, who followed with an RBI double, then three consecutive singles that chased Dzierwa from the game. The bullpen allowed one of his inherited runners to score.
Dzierwa’s final line was 5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), and — most impressively — 10 strikeouts and no walks. Had he left the game after the fifth, we’d be raving about his performance. Even with his rough sixth, it was a strong Double-A debut for the guy who’s emerging as the Orioles’ top pitching prospect.
There wasn’t much offense to speak of for the Baysox. They managed only four hits, which included an Aron Estrada homer. They also went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Ethan Anderson reached base thrice on a single and two walks.
Box score
High-A: Frederick Keys vs. Greenville Drive (Red Sox) — POSTPONED
The Keys were supposed to play a doubleheader to make up Thursday’s rainout, but instead they played none as both games got washed out. One game was rescheduled for tomorrow while the other was canceled outright.
Low-A: Wilson Warbirds (Brewers) 7, Delmarva Shorebirds 2
This was a 2-2 game until the bottom of the eighth, when the Warbirds erupted for five runs to take a commanding lead. Reliever Luis Beltrán was tagged for all five runs, though only three were earned. First baseman Juan Perez and right fielder Junior Aybar made errors on back-to-back plays with two outs, each scoring a run. Beltrán also walked in a run. It was that kind of game. Starter Brayan Orrantia lasted four innings, giving up two runs and five walks.
It was a rough night offensively for the Shorebirds, who struck out 11 times and walked just once. They had six hits, all singles. Nobody drove in any runs, as the two they scored came on a Warbirds throwing error. Delmarva fell to 15-28 on the season.
Box score
BONUS FCL NOTE: Newly signed veteran outfielder Tommy Pham made his organizational debut for the Florida Complex League Orioles. He went 0-for-1 with a strikeout and a walk.
Saturday’s scheduled games:
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Norfolk: at Jacksonville, 6:35 PM. Starter: Cameron Weston (0-1, 6.56)
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Chesapeake: vs. Somerset, 6:35 PM. Starter: Sebastian Gongora (1-1, 4.21)
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Frederick: vs. Greenville, 6:00 PM. Starter: Yeiber Cartaya (0-0, 0.87)
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Delmarva: at Wilson, 7:05 PM. Starter: Caden Hunter (1-0, 0.95)
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