Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 14, Louisville Bats (Reds) 10
What an offensive display from the Tides! The team collected 15 hits and three walks, and managed to cash in on most of those baserunners. They went 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left just five runners on base.
The Norfolk lineup included three rehabbing big leaguers. Ramón Laureano went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Jordan Westburg went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Gary Sánchez went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer.
But it was a real team effort. Every starter had at least one hit and a run scored. Jud Fabian, Vimael Machín, Luis Vázquez, and Jeremiah Jackson each homered as well. Dylan Beavers added a triple and a walk.
On the mound, it was a mix of good and bad. Thaddeus Ward started and struck out four over 3.1 innings, but he also allowed nine runs on nine hits and six walks. Luckily, his bullpen was much better. Roansy Contreras, Corbin Martin, Colin Selby, and Yaramil Hiraldo combined to allow just one run over 5.2 innings.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 4, Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) 2 – F/10
The Baysox scored the final three runs of this game, including two in the top of the 10th inning, to win in extras.
Enrique Bradfield Jr. hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the 10th. Adam Retzbach went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Creed Willems added a pair of knocks. Anthony Servideo had the other RBI with a sac fly. Frederick Bencosme went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Luis Valdez swiped two bags.
Both of the runs that Chesapeake allowed—as well as two of the three hits—came in the second inning. Other than that, the pitching was brilliant. Trace Bright allowed those two runs and struck out seven over six innings. Raúl Alcantara and Keagan Gillies both delivered two scoreless innings apiece to secure the win. The 27-year-old Gillies could be a bullpen arm to watch. He owns a 0.72 ERA and 0.52 WHIP on the season. A promotion to Triple-A soon would seem reasonable.
High-A: Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) 8, Aberdeen IronBirds 1
This was the only stinker on the minor league docket. In addition to the gap on the scoreboard, the IronBirds were also outhit 10-5, and they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Not a lot of positives to take from this one.
Michael Forret made his first appearance since late April. He started and got through the first inning with no issue. He returned for the second, faced two batters, and failed to record an out. Likely on a pitch count, Forret was yanked after 31 pitches. Alejandro Méndez followed, allowed one inherited runner to score, but otherwise pitched well. Blake Money came on to toss the bulk of the innings, 5.1 in total. He struggled towards the end of his outing, coughing up four runs but also striking out nine. Wyatt Cheney recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning.
On offense, there was little to report. Ethan Anderson and Aneudis Mordán each doubled, Aberdeen’s only extra-base hits of the evening. Their only run scored in the sixth inning, when Austin Overn stole third (his 21st stolen base of the season), and the Hudson Valley catcher threw the ball away. Overn came home on the error. Speaking of Overn, he went 1-for-3 with a walk.
Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 3, Delmarva Shorebirds 1
Delmarva outhit their hosts, but failed to do much with the few runners on base that they had. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left five runners stranded. The run they scored came in the fourth inning. With Edwin Amparo on first and Raylin Ramos on third, the pair initiated a double steal that saw the Frederickburg catcher throw to second. That allowed enough time for Ramos to zoom home. At the time, it tied the score, but Delmarva was unable to do much more.
The Shorebirds deployed just two pitchers. Their starter, Michael Caldon, was quite good. Over five innings he allowed just one run on two hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Jack Crawford struggled a bit. Over the final three innings he allowed two runs on two hits, no walks, and two strikeouts.
Thursday’s Schedule
Norfolk: at Louisville, 6:35 pm. Starter: Cameron Weston (1-3, 4.47 ERA)
Chesapeake: at Akron, 6:35 pm. Starter: Ryan Long (2-2, 4.32 ERA)
Aberdeen: vs Hudson Valley, 7:05 pm. Starter: TBD
Delmarva: at Fredericksburg, 6:35 pm. Starter: Chase Allsup (1-6, 6.57 ERA)