masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWILMINGTON, Del. – Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson said tonight he wants pitching prospect Dylan Bundy to have “a handful” of starts going beyond five innings with Single-A Frederick and then the Orioles are likely to move Bundy to Double-A Bowie for his final few starts of the 2012 season.

Tonight was the first time this year that Bundy was slated to pitch deeper into the game than five innings. He was scheduled to go at least six, possibly more if his pitch count was…WILMINGTON, Del. – Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson said tonight he wants pitching prospect Dylan Bundy to have “a handful” of starts going beyond five innings with Single-A Frederick and then the Orioles are likely to move Bundy to Double-A Bowie for his final few starts of the 2012 season.

Tonight was the first time this year that Bundy was slated to pitch deeper into the game than five innings. He was scheduled to go at least six, possibly more if his pitch count was low enough. The Orioles are planning to let him throw near, but not over 100 pitches in some of his final starts of 2012.

Bundy pitched 2 2/3 dominant shutout innings here tonight at Wilmington on 32 pitches, 21 strikes. The game is currently in a rain delay, but is likely to be rained out. Had the game resumed, Bundy would not have returned to pitch.

bundy throwing spring sidebar.jpgBundy has been pitching every sixth day, but now his next start could come sooner than that after this shortened outing.

Bundy is 4-3 on the year and tonight’s game lowers his season ERA to 2.80. Over his last six starts, including tonight, he has a 1.71 ERA.

The club wants him to pitch around 125 innings for the season and counting the 2 2/3 frames tonight, he is now at 75 between Delmarva and Frederick this year.

Tonight, as one club official observed, he had some of his best stuff of the year including an overpowering fastball and a curveball that buckled a few hitters’ knees. But he faced just 10 batters before the rain hit.

Update: The game has officially been called. Keys rained out in Wilmington.