The Norfolk Tides defeated the Nashville Sounds 5-2 in Game 1 of a doubleheader, with Sam Huff contributing two RBIs. Levi Wells secured the win for the Tides, allowing two runs over five innings.
Key points
Norfolk Tides won 5-2 against Nashville Sounds
Sam Huff had two RBIs in the game
Levi Wells earned the win with five innings pitched
The Orioles kept Sam Huff in the organization with a fresh minor league deal after he cleared waivers and elected free agency last week. The move ensured that Baltimore could turn to Huff if either Adley Rutschman or Samuel Basallo went down with an injury. For now, it means that Huff can help the Tides win baseball games.
The 28-year-old backstop drove in Norfolkâs first and final runs with RBI singles in the second and seventh innings of a Game 1 victory. Huff, Payton Eeles, and Jonathan RodrĂguez combined for six of Norfolkâs 10 hits. Jud Fabian evened the score at two in the top of the fourth, and Silas Ardoin broke the tie with a run-scoring double in the fifth inning.
Tides starter Levi Wells earned the win with five solid innings. Wells allowed a pair of runs on three hits, but only one of the runs were earned. He struck out four and walked three. Hans Crouse followed with a six-out save.
As the Orioles know, itâs difficult to win both games of a doubleheader. The Tides went with a bullpen game in Game 2. Enoli Paredes allowed three runs in the third on a two-run homer, a double, and a base hit to right field.
The Tides managed only one hit over the first six innings but made things interesting against our old pal Drew Rom in the seventh. Bryan Ramos drove in a run with an infield single, and Silas Ardoin represented the potential go-ahead run when he lined out to end the game.
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Chesapeake starter Sebastian Gongora allowed a solo homer in the third, but Erie broke things open with a four-run fifth inning. Gongora loaded the bases with a double, a walk, and a fielderâs choice that did not produce an out. The Baysox went to the bullpen, but Tyson Neighbors failed to escape the jam. The damage came with one big swing as John âDonât Call Me Joshâ Peck blasted a grand slam with a full count and two outs.
Chesapeake managed one run in the ninth after a leadoff double by Aron Estrada. Estrada advanced to third on a ground out and came into score on a ground ball by Carter Young. Estrada finished 1-for-4.
Brandon Butterworth reached base three times from the leadoff spot. Butterworth, a fellow member of the Ryan OâHearn and RamĂłn Laureano package along with Neighbors, notched a triple, a single, and also worked a walk.
High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) 2, Frederick Keys 1
Wehiwa Aloy gave Frederick a one-run lead with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, but Brooklyn tallied runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the win.
The result took away from a spectacular outing by Boston Bateman. Bateman, another member of the OâHearn and Laureano return, blanked the Cyclones over six strong frames. The lefty limited Brooklyn to only two hits, struck out eight, and did not walk a batter.
Nate George notched two of Frederickâs five hits with a pair of singles. Ike Irish finished 1-for-3 with a double and a walk, and Aloy added a single to his sacrifice fly.
Eccel Correa allowed the tying and go-ahead runs. Brooklynâs Antonio Jimenez stole home in the bottom of the eighth.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 9, Hill City Howlers (Guardians) 7
Delmarva pitchers combined to issue eight free passes compared to Hill Cityâs four, but the Howlers were wild at the wrong time. Shorebirds starter Esteban Mejia allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. Caden Hunter struck out five over 3.2 frames, and Keagan Gillies struck out a pair during a clean eighth inning. Junior Aybar allowed three runs in the ninth but managed to secure the final three outs.
Note: MASNâs Roch Kubatko reported last night that RHP Blake Money underwent successful right elbow UCL reconstruction and internal brace surgery with Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX, and RHP Hayden Nierman underwent successful right shoulder surgery with Dr. Meister.
