The Tides were back on top and Bencosme had a big day for Bowie as only Aberdeen lost last night.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 11, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA) 5
The Tides won their second straight and got back to their early season ways of scoring double digits. Coby Mayo (CC’s #3 prospect) was the offensive star. He got the party started with a two-run homer in the first inning and added an Earl Weaver Special in the seventh. He had three hits total with six RBI.
Connor Norby (#7) also had a three-hit game with a double and a homer. Heston Kjerstad (#5) had just one hit, but he did pick up two walks and scored on both of Mayo’s homers. The final member of the Norfolk Five Four, Kyle Stowers, singled and doubled from the cleanup spot.
Starting pitcher Jacob Armbruester (#20) did not have a good night. He got through three innings pretty well, but in the fourth fell apart. He allowed five hits and four runs in the inning while only getting two outs. Nick Vespi replaced him and picked up the win with 2.1 scoreless innings pitched.
Double-A: Bowie Baysox 6, Altoona Curve (PIT) 2
The Baysox and Curve went into the bottom of the ninth inning tied 2-2. With two outs, Jud Fabian (#14) stepped to the plate and picked the perfect time for his second home run of the year. The walk-off grand slam was part of a two-hit night for the leadoff batter.
Frederick Bencosme’s (#25) hot start to the season continues. He hit his third home run, which matches his career high for a season. It’s the 14th game. He also singled in a run as he and Fabian were responsible for all six RBI.
Dylan Beavers (#8) and Samuel Basallo (#2) each had one hit. Basallo played first base.
Starting pitcher Trace Bright (#21) was lucky to give up just one run in five innings, as he gave up nine hits and walked three.
High-A: Hudson Valley Renegades (NYY) 4, Aberdeen IronBirds 3
The IronBirds jumped out to an early lead with a three-run third inning that included Mac Horvath’s (#12) first home run of the year. He also doubled. Aberdeen didn’t score again in the game, which was part of their problem.
Leadoff batter Enrique Bradfield (#6) doubled and stole a base in the third inning, then was removed from the game after being tagged in the head sliding home. It was announced as a precautionary move, so fingers crossed he’s back in the lineup tomorrow.
Starter Moisés Chace walked a whopping six batters in just three innings, but he did pick off a runner at first. One of those walks came in to score on Chace’s only allowed hit, a two-run homer. Juan Nuñez (#23) pitched four innings in relief and took the loss. He allowed four hits and three walks. One of those hits was the go-ahead homer for the Renegades in the eighth inning.
For the Etzel-heads in the crowd, Matthew Etzel was 0-for-3 but he did walk and steal his seventh base.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 6, Down East Wood Ducks (TEX) 0
Let’s hear it for starting pitcher Michael Forret! Last year’s 13th round pick made his second straight start of five innings pitched and zero runs. The 20-year-old struck out eight batters without a walk. He allowed three hits, all singles. He needed just 65 pitches.
The Shorebirds provided him more than enough offense, though they were helped by the Wood Ducks, who made four errors in the field. Leadoff batter Thomas Sosa (#27) had a two-hit game with a double. Cole Urman doubled and homered.
Today’s Schedule
- Norfolk @ Jacksonville, 3:05. Starter: Kyle Bradish
- Bowie vs Altoona, 1:05. Starter: Kyle Brnovich
- Aberdeen @ Hudson Valley, 2:05. Starter: Zach Fruit
- Delmarva @ Down East, 1:00. Starter: Nestor German