Bird Seed: Orioles Prospect Pulse, May 28

Another day, another shaving cream pie in the face.

David Hernandez made it three in three days, becoming the third Oriole to receive the honor in as many days, joining debut-winner Jason Berken and walk-off home run hero Nolan Reimold. Hopefully, Matt Wieters will do something dramatic and make it 4-for-4.

And while we're on the topic, shouldn't Luke Scott be getting multiple pies in the face about now? Three home runs in two games since his return from the DL. Not too shabby.

It was especially kind to hear the O's fans showing him some love yesterday, showering him with chants of "Luuuuuuke, Luuuuuuuke!" I know it's hard to find space for him in the lineup everyday, but it's really hard to not give him a shot, especially over Felix Pie, who is now all but out of a job, full or part time.

But, back to Hernandez. Watched the post-game, pre-pie interview with him and he seems like a good kid, very humble. He sure does go through a pitch count like A-Rod does excuses, though, and that's something to be worried about. Still, to guy out five, almost six innings last night. Very admirable.

I will admit though, it's too early to ticket these guys (Berken, Bergesen and Hernandez) for spots in the rotation for the remainder of the season. There's a reason they're not numbers one, two and three on the O's pitching depth chart. And I'm sure it won't take but one or two more starts from each to show what they can be capable of, in a not so good way.

But for now, let's celebrate. I don't know if you've heard, but the O's became the first team to have four rookie pitchers win their MLB debuts since 1900. Not bad. Also, not bad were the four affiliates playing for the O's last night. Let's take a look.

Jolbert Cabrera Pokes One, Sends Tides To Win in Extras

It was Jolbert Cabrera's turn to play hero, and he came through in the clutch driving in Jeff Fiorentino with a two-out RBI single that proved the difference in Norfolk's 7-6 victory. Oscar Salazar also made a big impact, returning to the lineup after three days off, hitting a two-run homer in the first that got the Tides bats rolling. It was his ninth blast of the year, tying big Bird Nolan Reimold for the team lead.

Cabrera and Salazar did most of the damage, but they didn't do all of it. Outfielder Justin Christian had two hits, including his third triple of the year and a RBI single in the fifth. Catcher Robby Hammock played well too, going 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Leadoff guy Joey Gathright drove in the other run for the Tides, who snapped their "losing streak," and now have the best record in the International League at 31-15. 

Bobby Livingston got the call-up from Bowie to replace the still not ready to pitch Chris Tillman, and pitched okay, going six innings and showing an excellent ability to pound the strike zone. Only 30 of his 92 pitches went for balls. He did, however, give up 10 hits, but scattered them well enough to escape with only four earned runs surrendered. Three of those runs came on a solo homer by catcher Dusty Ryan in the third and a two-run shot by Brent Clevlen in the fourth.

Bob McCrory came on in relief and pitched a superb two innings, giving up only one hit, while striking out four. He paved the way for closer Jim Miller, who came on in the ninth with the Tides clinging to a 6-4 lead.

He proceeded to give up two doubles and two singles, which allowed the Mud Hens to tie the game at six. He was credited with his second blown save, but also got the win when Cabrera drove in the winning run in the top of the 10th. Russ Wolf came on to pitch a scoreless bottom of the 10th for his first save.

Lacking Punch, Baysox Fall to Altoona, 3-1

Brad Lincoln didn't even pitch and the Baysox still lost a low scoring game to Altoona. Brandon Snyder continued to get the Barry Bonds treatment and Bowie couldn't provide enough support to help Jake Arrieta avoid getting saddled with his third loss. Thank God they don't base promotions on W-L records, or Arrieta and Zach Britton would be screwed.

On offense, the Sox couldn't muster much. Jonathan Tucker managed two hits, including a double, but the Sox couldn't manage to drive him in. Especially with Brandon Snyder getting the run around. He was walked once, hit by a pitch once, and struck out and flied out in only two official at bats. Second baseman Miguel Abreu provided the one run scored, on a RBI single off the bat of Daniel Figueroa, who continued to show he's back 100% from his injury. 

Aside from that they couldn't muster much of anything off of Cuban defector Yoslan Herrera, who pitched six strong innings, scattering three hits. Arrieta breezed through the first five innings before finding trouble in the sixth. After allowing back-to-back singles, a wild pitch allowed one run to score before Arrieta gave up another single to score the other. He retired the next three batters to end the inning, but the Curve had done enough damage. 

Arrieta was saddled with his third loss to go with four wins on the season. His ERA still is impressive at 2.98 and second on the team to Troy Patton and his ridiculous 1.62 number. Ryan Ouellette came on in the seventh and surrendered his first run since joining the Sox, and Wilfrido Perez closed it out, pitching a perfect eighth inning.

Britton Pitches Stellar Baseball, but Keys Can't Close It Out

Zach Britton pitched well enough to get the victory, but came out without a decision, after giving up two runs (one unearned), and leaving after the seventh with the game tied at two. From that point the Wilmington Blue Rocks scored two more to the Keys' zero and they walked away with a 4-2 win.

Britton was in line to get his third win of the season but was unable to escape a seventh inning that included two hits, one error, one wild pitch and two runs. Up to that point, Britton was on cruise control, allowing only two hits in his first six innings, striking out five, scattering four walks. He got a ridiculous 10 ground ball outs, and lowered his ERA to a team leading 2.45. Not bad considering he pitches on the same staff as Brian Matusz.

Reliever Brett Bordes got nailed with the loss and continues his pretty cruddy season. He's now sporting an ERA of 9.28 to go with his three losses, 22 earned runs, and 18 walks in 21 innings. 

Offensively, neither teams had great games, both notching six hits. The Keys' hits came from Matt Angle, Pedro Florimon, Brandon Waring, Caleb Joseph (two) and Tyler Henson. AKA...the usual suspects. Henson and Joseph were responsible for the two runs driven in, while the error prone third baseman logged the only extra base hit for either team.

And, go figure, Billy Rowell had another hitless night (0-3) with a walk and a strikeout.

Shorebirds Win Sixth Straight in Extras

Reserve catcher Luis Bernardo sent fans home happy last night, using a sacrifice bunt to score Tyler Kolodny and send the Birds to a 3-2 victory in ten innings. Kolodny provided most of the offense for Delmarva, notching three hits, a RBI and the winning run. Xavier Avery also had two hits and drove in the game-tying run in the bottom of the eighth with a RBI single. 

Ryan O'Shea pitched an excellent seven innings, with only two first inning solo shots to mar his stat line. Aside from those hits, he scattered five others, striking out seven over seven frames. Joe Esposito came on kept the Hickory Crawdads off the board for two erratic innings in which he struck out four but walked three. And Brandon Cooney, pitching better than any reliever in the system right now, came on and pitched a perfect top of the 10th to secure the win. 

Hitter of the Night: 1B Oscar Salazar—2-5 3-run HR (9) 1 R

Pitcher of the Night: RHP Ryan O'Shea—ND, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 7 K

Goat of the Night: RHP Jim Miller—W (2-1), BS (2), 4 H 2 ER, 1 BB