The Orioles' minor league affiliates delivered a day of thrilling performances on Sunday, headlined by a power surge in Frederick and a dominant pitching display in Norfolk. Here's how the action unfolded across the system.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 4, Gwinnett Stripers 1
The Tides came out swinging, putting up a three-run first inning that set the tone for the afternoon. Shortstop Payton Eeles and outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez reached base to set the table, and catcher Creed Willems cleared it with a three-run homer—his eighth of the season. Norfolk wasn't done there. In the second inning, Ryan Noda drew a leadoff walk, advanced on a Silas Ardoin single, and scored on Jud Fabian's single to left. Ardoin attempted to steal home later in the inning but was tagged out at the plate.
On the mound, Nestor German turned in a gem. The right-hander allowed just one run over 5⅔ innings, scattering hits and keeping Gwinnett off balance. The Stripers scored their only run in the third on an RBI double by Brett Wisely, but they couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position, stranding two in the third and leaving the bases loaded in the fifth. German's performance was a bright spot—after posting a 5.49 ERA in April, he's opened May with a sparkling 0.82 mark. Despite the win, Gwinnett took the series 4-2 and finished their two-week road trip at 7-5.
Double-A: Altoona Curve 9, Chesapeake Baysox 3
This one got away from the Baysox late, but there were early signs of promise. Right-hander Yaqui Rivera, typically a bullpen arm, made his first Double-A start since August 2023 and delivered a solid outing. He allowed just one run on a two-out single in the first inning, striking out five over 2⅔ innings while walking only one batter.
Chesapeake did all their damage in the bottom of the second. Thomas Sosa doubled with one out and later scored on an automatic double off the wall from Frederick Bencosme, tying the game at 1-1. The Baysox loaded the bases with two outs, and Griff O'Ferrall came through with another automatic double, plating two runs to give Chesapeake a 3-1 lead. But the Curve flipped the script late, rallying for multiple runs to take control and seal the victory.