The Triple-A Norfolk Tides play a road contest against the Charlotte Knights, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox host the Harrisburg Senators in an afternoon game at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys go for the sweep on the road against the Kinston Indians, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds face the West Virginia Power.

The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds meet the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The Shorebirds added infielder Buck Britton, who was playing in Aberdeen, to their roster in order to fill in for second baseman L.J. Hoes while he is on the temporary inactive list.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (48-36)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Troy Patton (1-2, 4.43 ERA)
Charlotte: Carlos Torres (8-4, 2.30 ERA)

Continue reading "Today's game previews -- July 9" »

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Game previews
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox fell to the Harrisburg Senators.

The Single-A Frederick Keys topped the Kinston Indians, but the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were beaten by the West Virginia Power.

The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds edged the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The rookie-level Bluefield Orioles used some late-inning heroics to knock off the Danville Braves, while the rookie-level GCL Orioles lost to the GCL Reds.

Earlier today, the Orioles announced their organizational players of the month for June. Bowie's Brian Matusz was selected as the top pitcher in the Orioles' minor league system, and the Shorebirds' Ronnie Welty was picked as the top hitter.

Before tonight's game, the Shorebirds placed second baseman L.J. Hoes on the temporary inactive list. A corresponding move is expected on Thursday.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 5, Charlotte Knights 1 (Box score)

Recap: Center fielder Joey Gathright was 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs in the Tides' 5-1 victory over Charlotte.

Norfolk starting pitcher Chris Tillman (7-5) tossed six scoreless innings. The 21-year-old right-hander gave up six hits and collected six strikeouts. He threw 61 of his 94 pitches for strikes.

Tides right fielder Jeff Fiorentino also picked up four hits, and catcher Robby Hammock added a double and two runs scored.

Shortstop Blake Davis was 1-for-3 with a stolen base and an RBI for Norfolk.

Continue reading "Today's game recaps -- July 8" »

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Game recaps
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides face the Charlotte Knights, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox host the Harrisburg Senators at Prince George's Stadium.

The Single-A Frederick Keys play the Kinston Indians, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds continue their road trip against the West Virginia Power.

The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds look to snap the Brooklyn Cyclones' 10-game win streak.

Orioles relief pitcher Dennis Sarfate is scheduled to pitch in an injury rehabilitation assignment for the Baysox on Saturday, according to the team. The 28-year-old right-hander is recovering from a shoulder injury, and he hasn't pitched in the major leagues since May 1.

UPDATE (4:19 p.m.): The Keys just announced that Sarfate will also rehab in Frederick on Tuesday night against the Kinston Indians.

The Baysox also announced that relief pitcher Chad Thall was selected as a replacement for the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Game in Trenton N.J.

Thall takes the place of Baysox relief pitcher Josh Perrault, who was recently promoted to Norfolk, on the Southern Division team. The 23-year-old left-hander leads the Eastern League with 12 holds, and he is 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 31 appearances this season. Thall has 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings for Bowie.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (47-36)

Opponent

at Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris Tillman (6-5, 2.69 ERA)
Charlotte: Kelvin Jimenez (3-2, 4.56 ERA)

Continue reading "Today's game previews -- July 8" »

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Game previews
        

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox blanked the Harrisburg Senators.

In case you missed it, here is my live coverage of Bowie's 6-0 win. Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz shined once again in the victory.

The Single-A Frederick Keys topped the Kinston Indians, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds failed to score against the Kannapolis Intimidators.

The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds were edged by the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The rookie-level Bluefield Orioles lost to the Burlington Royals, and the rookie-level GCL Orioles came up short against the GCL Red Sox.

The Shorebirds activated outfielder Jacob Julius from the disabled list earlier today. In order to clear a roster spot for Julius, Delmarva placed relief pitcher Andrew Barb on the DL, retroactive to July 5.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Score: Norfolk Tides 8, Charlotte Knights 4 (Box score)

Recap: The Tides jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings, and they cruised to an 8-4 victory over Charlotte.

Norfolk center fielder Justin Christian was 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, while third baseman Jolbert Cabrera added a three-run home run in the second.

Tides first baseman Brandon Snyder collected two hits and two RBIs, and designated hitter Michael Aubrey was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (2-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings for the Tides. The 23-year-old right-hander collected eight strikeouts and issued one walk. Arrieta was removed after giving up two home runs in the seventh.

Relief pitcher Josh Perrault struck out the side in the ninth inning during his debut with Norfolk after being called up earlier in the day.

Continue reading "Today's game recaps -- July 7" »

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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It's official.

Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz was removed from the game after pitching eight scoreless innings. The 22-year-old left-hander struck out 11 batters and allowed only one hit.

He threw 73 of his 98 pitches for strikes, but didn't get a chance for the complete game.

Relief pitcher Ryan Ouellette came in and pitched a scoreless ninth for the Baysox in a 6-0 victory over the Senators. Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored in a rehabilitation start for the Baysox.

I'm heading down to the clubhouse now to talk to Matusz and other players, so be sure to check out O's on Deck later tonight for full game recaps from all of the affiliates in the Orioles' minor league system.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Live game updates
        

Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis exited the game after the sixth inning.

The veteran major leaguer was replaced by Baysox shortstop Robert Valido to start the top of the seventh. Izturis was 2-for-3 with two singles, two runs scored and a stolen base. He was also hit by a pitch in his final at-bat.

Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz picked up two more strikeouts while retiring the side in order again in the top of the seventh.

Despite a two-out walk to designated hitter Guillermo Rodriguez, the Baysox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh.

After Senators right fielder Joel Guzman reached on a two-base error by Baysox first baseman Eric Crozier, Matusz struck out the next two batters.

Through eight innings, Matusz has allowed one hit. The 22-year-old left-hander has thrown 73 of his 98 pitches for strikes. He has 11 strikeouts, including two in each of the past three innings.

No one is warming up in Bowie's bullpen, so expect Matusz to come back out for the ninth.

INSTANT UPDATE: As soon as I published that entry, Baysox relief pitcher Ryan Ouellette started warming in the bullpen, so it looks like Matusz's night might be over.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Live game updates
        

The Baysox added to their lead in the next two innings.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Bowie first baseman Eric Crozier hit a double into the left-center field gap. Third baseman Mike Costanzo collected an RBI single for the Baysox, making it 4-0 after five innings.

Different inning, same story for Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz.

The 22-year-old left-hander retired the side in order again in the top of the sixth. Matusz threw nine of his 11 pitches for strikes in the inning. So far tonight, he has only thrown more than three balls in one inning -- the fifth, when he threw six balls in 13 pitches.

After Baysox designated hitter Guillermo Rodriguez hit a single and stole second base, Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Left fielder Jonathan Tucker followed with an RBI single for the Baysox, and Crozier added a ground-rule double to right field, making it 6-0 after six innings.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Senators second baseman Michael Martinez was the first base runner allowed by Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz on an infield single to lead off the top of the fourth inning.

Martinez, however, was quickly erased when Harrisburg left fielder Michael Daniel hit into a 4-6-3 double play. Matusz struck out Senators shortstop Ian Desmond to end the top of the fourth.

Baysox third baseman Mike Costanzo led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk. Second baseman Miguel Abreu doubled down the left field line for Bowie, and Costanzo scored on a wild pitch.

Right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion hit a sacrifice fly to left field to give the Baysox a 3-0 lead, and Bowie catcher Adam Donachie walked with one out.

After center fielder Danny Figueroa singled to put runners on first and second base for the Baysox, designated hitter Guillermo Rodriguez flied out to right field and shortstop Cesar Izturis hit a comebacker to the pitcher to end the bottom of the fourth.

Matusz mowed through the Harrisburg hitters again in the bottom of the fifth. Senators right fielder Joel Guzman flied out to right field, third baseman Ofilio Castro grounded out to shortstop and designated hitter Matt Whitney struck out looking.

Through five innings, Matusz has thrown 45 of his 58 pitches for strikes. The Baysox are holding onto a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Live game updates
        

Through three innings, Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz has retired all nine Harrisburg hitters. The 22-year-old left-hander has three strikeouts, and he has thrown 28 of his 35 pitches for strikes.

Matusz just struck out Senators center fielder Edgardo Baez looking with two nasty curveballs to end the top of the third.

Baysox center fielder Danny Figueroa was robbed of a base hit by Senators second baseman Michael Martinez to lead off the bottom of the third. Martinez ranged far up the middle to make a diving play and spun to throw to first base to retire Figueroa.

After Bowie designated hitter Guillermo Rodriguez singled with one out and moved to second base on a wild pitch, Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis collected his second single of the game. Rodriguez, however, was thrown out at home plate by Baez for the second out.

Left fielder Jonathan Tucker knocked in Izturis with an RBI double to give the Baysox a 1-0 lead. Bowie first baseman Eric Crozier grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

After three full innings, the Baysox are on top, 1-0.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Live game updates
        

Baysox starting pitcher Brian Matusz retired the side in order in the top of the first inning. The 22-year-old left-hander threw nine of his 11 pitches for strikes.

Senators second baseman Michael Martinez flied out to center field to start the game, and Matusz struck out Harrisburg left fielder Michael Daniel for the second out. Senators shortstop Ian Desmond grounded out to third base to end the top of the first.

Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis hit a single to left-center field to kick off the bottom of the first for the Baysox. After Bowie left fielder Jonathan Tucker struck out, Izturis successfully stole second base.

The threat ended there, however, as Baysox first baseman Eric Crozier lined out to center field and third baseman Mike Costanzo flied out to left field to end the inning.

At the end of one inning, there is no score.

Posted by Dean Jones Jr. at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Live game updates