It was a day of fireworks in the Orioles' minor league system, with the Norfolk Tides leading the charge in a slugfest that had fans on the edge of their seats. Here’s how the action unfolded across the farm.
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 9, Charlotte Knights 8
The Tides kept their bats hot in a back-and-forth thriller, powered by four home runs. Jackson Holliday continued his rehab assignment, going 1-for-3 with a walk while playing seven innings at second base. But the real stars were the long-ball hitters: Reed Trimble and Sam Huff each went deep, while Ryan Noda stole the show with two homers—including the game-winning blast in the top of the ninth. Christian Encarnacion-Strand added a double and two RBIs, and Heston Kjerstad chipped in with a hit and a run scored.
On the mound, Albert Suárez delivered a solid start, allowing just two runs on three hits over five innings with six strikeouts. Nick Raquet worked 1.2 innings but gave up two runs, and Christian Roa struggled, recording only one out while surrendering four runs on five hits, including two home runs. Thankfully, Hans Crouse slammed the door with two scoreless innings, giving the Norfolk bats time to rally for the win.
Double-A: Chesapeake Battling for Runs
Luis De León took the mound for 3.1 innings, allowing three unearned runs after a throwing error by Carter Young extended the second inning. Despite that, the lefty struck out three and walked two. Ben Vespi was the standout of the pitching staff, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. Zane Barnhart took the loss after giving up two runs in his lone inning of relief, while Cohen Achen continued his stellar season with a shutout eighth inning—lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.71.
At the plate, seven different Chesapeake hitters recorded a hit. Adam Retzbach tripled and drove in two runs, while Fernando Peguero doubled and stole his second base of the year. Carter Young added the team's other RBI.
Single-A: Frederick’s Pitching Duel
Frederick used three pitchers, and two of them impressed. Boston Bateman started and allowed just one unearned run over 4.2 innings, striking out five despite walking five. Eccel Correa came on to record the final out of the fifth inning but ran into trouble, giving up runs that made the game tighter than expected.
From power-hitting displays to gritty pitching performances, it was a day full of promise for Orioles fans. Keep an eye on these rising stars—they're proving the future is bright in Baltimore's system.