Something that went under the radar during the incredibly avoidable MLB lockout was the fact the minor leagues were up and running as normal.
For a team like the Orioles, that means a plethora of top prospects aren’t losing time while imbeciles argue over millions.
Because of the lack of delay to the minor league season, the Low-A affiliate for the Orioles, the Delmarva Shorebirds, were set to kick off their season April 8.
Usually, the minor league clubs play a series of six games and play Tuesday through Sunday. However, this initial series of the 2022 season was a three-game set against the Fredricksburg Nationals, an affiliate of the neighboring Washington Nationals.
The Shorebirds, loaded with some young talent, including international signee Darell Hernaiz and 65th overall pick from 2021, Reed Trimble, looked to start this season on a high note. They dropped the first series 2-1, but there was plenty of good baseball played by many of these young talents.
Game 1:
The opening game of this series already may be one of the most fun nine innings of baseball this season, as the Shorebirds rallied back from a 5-1 deficit in the seventh inning to win.
Darell Hernaiz wasted no time this season, going 3-for-5 in his first game, with three RBIs. The young shortstop’s success carried over to the fourth and fifth slot hitters, Davis Tavarez and Mishael Deson, who went 2-for-4 and 3-for-5, with four RBIs in total.
Shane Davis got the Opening Day start for the Shorebirds and didn’t completely implode. He lashed 3.1 innings, allowing three of his four earned runs before recording a second out in that fourth inning.
The bullpen gave up three more runs, which was good enough to allow the offense to make an epic comeback.
Hernaiz and Tavarez together had three RBIs to make this a one-run game in the eighth, then Isaac Bellony took the lead with a single.
The Shorebirds won their only game of this series by a score of 9-6.
Game 2:
Game two of this set wasn’t nearly as satisfying as the first. Conor Grady got the start, and he left with his team in the game.
The Shorebirds led 3-1 after the second inning but never regained the lead once it was lost in the fourth. However, Tavarez homered, good for his first on the year.
Hernaiz had another multi-hit game, and Tavarez collected two more RBIs.
The Shorebirds dropped game two, 18-5, as the bullpen allows a collective total of 16 runs.
Game 3:
Hoping for a series win, the Shorebirds sent Jaun De Los Santos to the mound, and the youngster gave up just one run but was pulled after 3.2 innings.
Unfortunately for the Shorebirds and their pitching staff, the offense was unable to do anything. The team was shut out, and the offense could only muster up six hits.
The Shorebirds weren’t able to comeback like in game one and dropped this series by losing game three, 7-0.
Delmarva begins their first six-game series tonight against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Make sure you keep up to date with The Baltimore Battery for more minor league weekly recaps.
Who stood out to you this series for Delmarva? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook and Twitter! And, make sure to use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content to show your Birdland swag!
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