Minor league game recaps -- April 18
The Triple-A Norfolk Tides were pounded by the Durham Bulls, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox were cooled off by the Akron Aeros.
The Single-A Frederick Keys edged the Lynchburg Hillcats, while the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds were tripped up in extra innings by the Hagerstown Suns.
Norfolk Tides (AAA)
Score: Durham Bulls 10, Norfolk Tides 1 (Box score)
Recap: Things aren't looking good for Tides starting pitcher Chris Tillman.
The 22-year-old right-hander (0-3) lost his third consecutive start to begin the season, allowing four runs and four hits in one inning. After three games, Tillman's ERA is 8.38.
It wasn't just about hits and runs for Tillman. He also threw two wild pitches, issued two walks and hit a batter. Tillman needed 42 pitches to complete his one inning of work.
Tides third baseman Josh Bell was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. The 23-year-old infielder is batting .179 (7-for-39) with 15 strikeouts, one walk, no home runs and three RBIs in 10 games this season.
Norfolk right fielder Rhyne Hughes had a double and a solo home run, but he committed a fielding error. Shortstop Scott Moore was charged with his fifth error of the season for the Tides.
Bowie Baysox (AA)
Score: Akron Aeros 4, Bowie Baysox 0 (Box score)
Recap: After eight consecutive wins, the Baysox were blanked by Akron, 4-0.
Bowie starting pitcher Zach Britton (1-1) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings. The 22-year-old left-hander collected six strikeouts and walked one batter.
Baysox first baseman Robbie Widlansky picked up two of the team's five hits.
Relief pitcher Ryan Ouellette tossed two scoreless innings for the Baysox.
Frederick Keys (A)
Score: Frederick Keys 7, Lynchburg Hillcats 6 (Box score)
Recap: Designated hitter Billy Rowell was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs in the Keys' 7-6 victory over Lynchburg at Harry Grove Stadium.
In his past three games, the 21-year-old infielder is 4-for-10 with one home run and six RBIs.
Frederick center fielder Xavier Avery added two hits, and right fielder Jacob Julius contributed a double and an RBI.
Relief pitcher John Mariotti (1-0) earned the win after tossing two scoreless innings for the Keys, and starting pitcher Kenny Moreland gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings.
Delmarva Shorebirds (A)
Score: Hagerstown Suns 9, Delmarva Shorebirds 7, 12 innings (Box score)
Recap: After giving up four runs in the top of the first to Hagerstown, the Shorebirds climbed back to send the game into extra innings.
However, the Suns scored three times in the top of the 12th and held on, 9-7, to win at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
Shorebirds third baseman Tyler Kolodny was 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs. The 22-year-old infielder leads the South Atlantic League with six home runs in 2010, including four in his past three games.
Right fielder Brian Conley was 2-for-5 with a run scored for Delmarva, and first baseman Tyler Stampone added two hits and an RBI.
Delmarva starting pitcher Ryan Berry gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings, but he didn't factor in the decision. Relief pitcher James Brandhorst (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits in one inning.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
As far as Tillman: Sometimes players who expected to be in the majors, but get demoted, get knocked into a performance malaise. It's probably more mental than anything else. I would be more concerned if this pattern lasts more than a couple months, though coaches should be working on this now.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 18, 2010 11:14 PM
Also BILLY ROWELL:
Give the kid some props. It's early still, but he's been quietly putting together a lot of nice ABs. He's been walking at a nice clip, striking out less, making good contact, and hitting the ball hard. That's all you ask for from a kid like that and he's been doing the job. On the off chance that he reads these comments: Good job, Billy. Whatever you're doing, keep it going!
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 18, 2010 11:20 PM
hey, what's with tillman? got the they-sent-me-down-blues? I'm the only guy defending him on the Schmucks's blog...it's getting tougher. Me, I just figure he was sent down to work on a few things, not win the AAA Cy Young Award.
Posted by: jim66 | April 18, 2010 11:24 PM
In the Delmarva game, Catcher Justin Dalles had to be transported off the field via ambulance in the top of the 12th. Was run over by the go ahead run as he was fielding the throw at the plate. Fell straight to the ground and was knocked out cold for about 10-15 seconds. Scary situation, but he regained consciousness and was moving his feet and arms before they transported him away.
Posted by: Glassman | April 19, 2010 12:57 AM
Looks like Rhyno's making some noise. I know he's viewed as a depth guy, but he certainly seems to be ahead of Snyder right now.
Eddie -- right there with you. It would be fabulous to see Billy put together a solid half-season at Frederick and perhaps get a shot at AA pitching by the end of the year.
Love what I'm seeing in the box scores out of Tyler Kolodny. Is he viewed as a prospect at all?
Also, Dean, what is the story on Tyler Townsend? Should we expect to see him at Aberdeen again this year?
Posted by: Mark | April 19, 2010 1:06 AM
Where are the power position players ? It doesn't look like Peter the Great is willing to buy bats any longer , now the O's must grow them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and the joke goes on.............
Posted by: spy | April 19, 2010 9:23 AM
Is Terry Crowley the hitting coach at Norfolk too? Looks like he's been working with Bell and Snyder.
Posted by: terpfan | April 19, 2010 10:25 AM
Spy, what makes you think Angelos isn't any longer willing to buy the bats?
Bell and Snyder are off to slow starts, it happens and they have Waring at the next lower level, that guy is considered to have the best power in the system, he hit 27 last year. Bell still projects to a 25 to 30 guy, as does Snyder.
And there are increasing rumors, as was written out of Boston last week, that the Orioles continue to have conversations regarding Adrian Gonzalez, with Arrieta and Tillman as starting points and I think they would have to include Snyder in that deal.
Dean, what is it with Moore? There was an article in the last days of ST that said he was going to be the every day SS, now with Andino there, Moore seems to be moving all over the infield. Is this just a case of him not getting into a comfort zone in the field? How has Andino's attitude been? He had a good offensive spring, got sent down anyway, has he learned that show boating isn't the way to go?
Thanks for your updates.
Posted by: ken | April 19, 2010 11:39 AM
Hey Eddie in NYC....
The reason Tillman is getting hammered in the minors is because he THINKS he is on the major league Orioles!
Posted by: Dennis | April 19, 2010 5:56 PM