Orioles minor league recap 4/26: Norby hits leadoff homer, Povich continues to coast

The Baysox threw a shutout while the IronBirds and Shorebirds got shut out themselves.

Triple-A: Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 2, Norfolk Tides 1 F/10

Connor Norby slapped a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first and the Tides never scored again. Norfolk managed only three hits with Kyle Stowers and recent call up Billy Cook adding a pair of singles. Norby and Coby Mayo both worked walks during a quiet night at the plate. Kyle Dodd, Atlanta’s 15th best prospect, struck out seven Tides over seven innings.

Cade Povich matched Dodd with seven strikeouts in only 4.2 innings. Povich allowed three hits, walked one, and continued a dominant start to 2024. Nick Vespi and Bryan Baker combined to allow only one hit over 3.1 innings. Wandison Charles took the loss despite not allowing a hit over two innings. Charles walked two and threw a pair of wild pitches that led to a 10th inning run for Gwinnett.

Double-A: Bowie Baysox 9, Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) 0

Bowie put together the only strong offensive night on the farm. The Baysox scored all nine runs without a home run and only three extra-base hits. Frederick Bencosme plated a pair with a two-out double in the first, and TT Bowens brought in Bencosme with a single to right field. Bencosme drove in three runs, and Bowens finished with a pair of RBIs.

Samuel Basallo went 2-for-5 with a run scored while playing first base. Dylan Beavers recorded a single and a walk from the leadoff spot, and John Rhodes finished 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Ryan Long continued the seven strikeout theme despite working only four innings. Long allowed Richmond’s only two hits, while four relievers combined to strikeout 10 more batters. Bowie recorded 17 of the 27 outs via strikeout.

High-A: Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) 1, Aberdeen IronBirds 0

Aberdeen managed only two hits during a scoreless night. Ryan Higgins reached third base with two outs in the second, but Isaac De León struck out to end the inning. Randy Florentino started the sixth with a base hit but failed to stretch it into a two-bagger.

The pitchers kept Aberdeen in the ball game but the offense never woke up. Jackson Baumeister limited Jersey Shore to only two hits over 4.2 innings. Carter Baumler took the loss after allowing the only run in three innings.

Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals (Nationals) 2, Delmarva Shorebirds 0

Delmarva actually outhit Fredericksburg 8-to-7 but failed to get a run home. Thomas Sosa and Maxwell Costes both finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Stiven Acevedo tallied Delmarva’s only extra-base hit, but he grounded to an inning-ending double play to spoil the Shorebird’s best scoring opportunity in the fourth.

Starter Blake Money did not allow a run over four innings.

Injuries: MASN’s Steve Melewski reported that Bowie’s Zach Peek (right shoulder inflammation) and Aberdeen’s Reed Trimble (right hamstring discomfort) were both placed on the injured list yesterday.

Box scores

Friday’s Schedule

• Norfolk: vs Gwinnett, 6:35. SP: Kyle Bradish (0-0, 10.80 ERA)
• Bowie: at Richmond, 6:35. SP: Trace Bright (0-1, 2.63 ERA)
• Aberdeen: vs Jersey Shore, 7:05. SP: TBD
• Delmarva: vs Fredericksburg, 7:05. SP: Luis De León (0-2, 2.53 ERA)