After missing 12 days, the O’s #1 prospect returned with a vengeance.
Triple-A: Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) 7, Norfolk Tides 6
Adley Rutschman was rehabbing, but it was a different catcher who stole the show as #1 prospect Samuel Basallo was an incredible 5-for-5. Playing first base in this game, Basallo smashed his 20th homer, doubled twice, and singled twice. This was Basallo’s first game in 12 days due to the All-Star break and then an oblique injury. I’d say he’s feeling good! His Triple-A OPS is up to 1.019. It’s going to be tough for the Orioles to keep him in the minors much longer.
As for Rutschman, he went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts at the plate, and had some trouble behind it. The IronPigs stole four bases against him without being caught, including one by the opposing catcher, Garrett Stubbs. It’s hard to say how much of that was Adley’s fault, as minor league pitchers probably aren’t the best at holding runners. Dylan Beavers drew three walks from the leadoff spot. Heston Kjerstad was 0-for-5.
The Tides put up a good offensive showing against Phillies #6 prospect Mick Abel, scoring five runs against him, including a Vimael Machín three-run homer. Norfolk led this game 5-1 at one point, and carried a one-run lead into the eighth, but the IronPigs scored two runs off Levi Stoudt in their last at-bat to steal away the win. Preston Johnson struggled in relief, giving up four runs in 1.1 innings. Nate Webb and Elvin Rodríguez each worked 1.2 scoreless frames.
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 7, Altoona Curve (Pirates) 0
Have yourself a day, Trey Gibson! The right-handed prospect pitched a brilliant game for the Baysox, working seven shutout innings in which he allowed only two hits, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out eight. Simply brilliant. Gibson lowered his ERA to 1.96 in eight starts at Double-A. Lefty Riley Cooper finished the combined shutout with two hitless innings.
The Baysox bats gave their pitchers plenty of run support, pounding out 13 hits and going 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Not bad for a lineup where five of the nine hitters are batting under the Mendoza line. Three Baysox — Reed Trimble, Cole Urman, and Luis Valdez — collected three hits apiece, including a double for each of them (and two for Urman). Trimble finished a home run shy of the cycle and also drove in three.
High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 15, Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox) 12
Yes, you read that score correctly. The two teams combined for 27 runs and 26 hits in a blistering slugfest, a rarity for High-A baseball. The IronBirds pulled off the unusual feat of scoring at least one run in every inning, while the Dash compartmentalized their scoring into just two innings — six runs apiece in the seventh and the ninth. Aberdeen led this game 11-0 at one point and had to hold on for dear life as Winston-Salem brought the tying run on deck in the ninth.
As you can imagine, quite a few IronBirds hitters had a great night. Ethan Anderson led the team with four hits (all singles) and drove in three. Aron Estrada and Thomas Sosa each went 3-for-4, including a triple for Estrada and two doubles for Sosa. The IronBirds, in addition to their 14 hits, also drew 13 walks. Griff O’Ferrall and a rehabbing Jud Fabian each had three.
It was a less successful game for Aberdeen’s pitching staff. Two hurlers, Ty Weatherly and Devin Kirby, combined to give up 11 of the 12 runs. But starter Juan Rojas looked good, tossing five scoreless innings.
Low-A: Lynchburg Hillcats (Guardians) 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 2
The Shorebirds offense couldn’t get much going in this one, other than a two-hit night from Nate George. Catcher Yasmil Bucce chipped in with a sac fly, but he had to leave the game with an injury in the top of the seventh. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious for Bucce, who’s been having a breakout campaign for Delmarva.
The Shorebirds alternated between effective and ineffective pitchers on this night. Their first and third pitchers, Carson Dorsey and Randy Berigüete, gave up all five runs and issued five walks. But their second and fourth pitchers, Joe Glassey and Adrián Delgado, each worked two scoreless innings of relief, with no walks and two strikeouts apiece.
Saturday’s scheduled games
- Norfolk: at Lehigh Valley, 6:35 PM. Starter: Roansy Contreras (6-2, 4.19)
- Chesapeake: at Altoona, 6:30 PM. Starter: Nestor German (3-4, 4.50)
- Aberdeen: vs. Winston-Salem, 7:05 PM. Starter: Luis De León (1-3, 4.54)
- Delmarva: vs. Lynchburg, 7:05 PM. Starter: Chase Allsup (1-10, 6.37)