Dylan Carlson helped the Tides bounce back with a walkoff homer in Game 2, and Vance Honeycutt recorded multiple extra-base hits at Aberdeen.
Triple-A: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins) 12, Norfolk Tides 6 — Game 1
This game officially served as the completion of Wednesday’s contest after rain arrived in the first inning. Perhaps the Tides would have been better off if the game was completed on Wednesday.
Dylan Beavers went an impressive 4-for-5 and scored twice from the leadoff spot, but Norfolk struggled to keep up with Jacksonville’s offense. Vimael Machín and Dylan Carlson combined for four hits, but the rest of the offense struggled. Coby Mayo finished 1-for-5 with 3 strikeouts, and designated hitter Samuel Basallo went hitless but did record a pair of walks.
The Tides trailed 1-0 after three, but things really began to spiral in the fourth. Roansy Contreras exited the game after 2.1 innings pitched, 6 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, and only 1 strikeout. I’ve been far more disappointed in several other players on the big league roster, but I’ll admit I was hopeful that Contreras could help the O’s at some point this season. Add it to the list.
Things officially got out of control as Dylan Coleman allowed five more runs in the fifth. Norfolk trailed 11-0 before responding with three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 5, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins) 4 — Game 2 (F/7)
The Tides flushed the first loss and managed to play quality baseball in the second contest. Playing an abridged game due to the doubleheader, Dylan Carlson stepped up with Norfolk trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh. The recently optioned outfielder could have plated the trying run from second with a base hit, but Carlson opted to end the game with a walkoff homer instead.
Nine different Tides players recorded a hit in this one. TT Bowens and Luis Vázquez recorded multi-hit nights, and Coby Mayo delivered a pinch-hit double before Carlson walked it off. First baseman Samuel Basallo drove in Norfolk’s first two runs with a single in the first.
Matt Bowman, Colin Selby, Kade Strowd and Rodolfo Martinez combined for 4.1 scoreless innings of relief.
Double-A: Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) 9 Chesapeake Baysox 2
Akron scored the first seven runs of the game before Chesapeake managed a pair of runs in the eighth. Starter Ryan Long allowed five runs on eight hits, three walks, and a pair of homers over five frames. Reliever Dylan Heid issued four walks in just 1.1 innings of work.
Jeremiah Jackson drove in Chesapeake’s first run with an RBI double, and Silas Ardoin added the second with a sacrifice fly. Luis Valdez finished 2-for-3 from the nine-hole.
High-A: Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) 4, Aberdeen IronBirds 2 — Game 1 (F/7)
Blake Money pitched well enough to win this one, but it didn’t work out that way. After two scoreless frames, Money recorded the first two outs in the third before a throwing error extended the inning.
Hudson Valley snuck on another base runner with a bunt single, and Money followed with his only mistake of the day. The former 12th-rounder allowed a three-run homer, and that was pretty much it. To his credit, Money completed all six innings of the abridged contest.
A rehabbing Enrique Bradfield Jr. finished 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Bradfield and Griff O’Ferrall laced back-to-back doubles to score a run, and Jake Cunningham added an RBI single.
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 2, Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) 0 — Game 2 (F/7)
The good pitching continued into the second game, but this time the IronBirds took advantage. Carter Rustad blanked Hudson Valley over the first three frames. Robinson Martínez added a pair of scoreless frames to earn the victory, and Carter Baumler earned a six-out save with two clean innings.
Aron Estrada drove in the first run with a double in the third, and Vance Honeycutt added some insurance with a solo homer in the fifth. Honeycutt finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Low-A: Fredericksburg Nationals 12, Delmarva Shorebirds 1
I’m tired of writing about bad baseball games, so I’m going to keep this one short. The first two pitchers weren’t great, but Fredericksburg tagged Delmarva reliever Jack Crowder for seven runs over 3.2 innings.
Catcher Colin Tuft recorded two of the Shorebirds’ three hits with a single and a double. Maikol Hernández managed the only other knock of the night.
Friday’s Schedule
Norfolk: vs Jacksonville, 6:35. Starter: Trevor Rogers (0-1, 8.00 ERA)
Chesapeake: vs Akron, 7:05 pm. Starter: Nestor German (0-1, 3.60 ERA)
Aberdeen at Hudson Valley, 7:05 pm. Starter: Trey Gibson (0-2, 6.29 ERA)
Delmarva: vs Fredericksburg, 7:05 pm. Starter: Chase Allsup (1-5, 6.75 ERA)