The Norfolk Tides continue their season with opening dominance. Winners of five of the six series they have played, tied one other series, the Tides are utilizing their team to showcase and demonstrate why the Orioles have the top minor league system in all of baseball.
Facing the Charlotte Knights, the Tides would win the series by taking four of the six games. Led by an offense that put up six or more runs in the four wins, the Tides are steamrolling opposing pitchers, using an unrelenting attacking.
The Tides have scored nine or more runs in seven of their 25 games and scored at least 17 runs in three games. Two of those games were 20 or more runs.
Let’s see who stood out in this series for the red hot Tides:
COLTON COWSER – OF
Last week, Cowser won Player of the Week honors, and he didn’t slow down this week. Against the Knights, the Orioles’ No. 3 prospect would hit .316.
Riding a nine-game on-base streak to end the series, Cowser would collect three hits in five plate appearances in the Tides’ 20-1 victory on Saturday. Two of his hits were doubles, as he collected four RBIs while scoring a run as well.
On the season, Cowser is slashing .295/.437/.495. The lefty has hit four home runs, collected 19 RBIs, scored 27 runs and stolen four bases. He has also walked 21 times to 28 strikeouts.
JORDAN WESTBURG – INF
Joey Ortiz has appeared on our list and worked his way up to a debut with the Orioles. If Ortiz has turned heads with his work, then Westburg must be turning them towards him with his success.
During the Charlotte series, Westburg would raise his batting average .019 points, collecting hits in five games and having four multi-hit games. In the Tides’ 9-5 victory Tuesday, Westburg would go 3-for-5 with a home run (a grand slam), four RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base.
On the season, the Orioles’ No. 4 prospect is now slashing .325/.385/.542 with five home runs, 23 RBIs, 17 runs scored and four stolen bases. Westburg also has committed no errors while playing second, short, third, left and right field during the season, as well as helping turn seven double plays.
BRUCE ZIMMERMANN – LHP
Though Zimmermann was a standout last week, he once again had a performance that caught our attention. Even though he took the loss, his performance was strong on a day when the Tides’ bats had a strangely quiet day.
Pitching six innings, Zimm would allow only two hits and two runs (one earned). And though he would walk four, he struck out five while being aided by a double play and an outfield assist.
As a result of the game, Zimmermann fell to 1-2 on the season but dropped his ERA 0.38 points to 2.49. Through four games, he has pitched 21.2 innings, striking out 23 versus nine walks and has a WHIP of 1.15, while opponents are hitting just .205 against him.
Norfolk improves to 19-7 on the season and hold a three-game lead over the second place Durham Bulls. Ironically, the Tides return home to start a series against the Bulls from Harbor Park this week.
Wil the Tides continue to hold their opponents under, or will the Bulls be the team to sink them? It all starts Tuesday at 6.35 p.m. EST from Harbor Park.
Who stood out to you for Norfolk this week? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on Twitter – @SRJHeckman – and listen to his podcast, “The Final Strike,” on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcasts or iHeartRadio!
The Baltimore Battery 