masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe excellent pitching to start the year by O’s minor league clubs came to a halt tonight as Norfolk allowed 14 runs and Delmarva gave up 15.

Durham had 20 hits in a 14-7 win over the Tides, who fall to 4-5. Norfolk starter Troy Patton lasted just one-third of an inning and 28 pitches. He gave up six hits and six runs, including two homers. Norfolk began the night with an ERA this year of 2.97 by its starters.

Rhyne Hughes had a triple in four at bats to extend his batting streak to eight…The excellent pitching to start the year by O’s minor league clubs came to a halt tonight as Norfolk allowed 14 runs and Delmarva gave up 15.

Durham had 20 hits in a 14-7 win over the Tides, who fall to 4-5. Norfolk starter Troy Patton lasted just one-third of an inning and 28 pitches. He gave up six hits and six runs, including two homers. Norfolk began the night with an ERA this year of 2.97 by its starters.

Rhyne Hughes had a triple in four at bats to extend his batting streak to eight games. He is 11 for 29 (.379) during the streak. Steve Lerud was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Robert Andino had three hits, including a homer.

Bowie beat Akron 4-2 and was the only farm team to win tonight. With the victory, the Baysox improve to 8-1 for the first time ever. The Baysox have won seven in a row. Starter Ryohei Tanaka gave up two runs over six frames Wilfrido Perez gained his third save and Pedro Florimon had 2 RBI.

Lynchburg beat Frederick 5-4 as Nate Nery allowed four runs in 5 2/3. Billy Rowell and Brian Ward hit solo homers for the Keys, who are 4-4.

Hagerstown routed Delmarva 15-2 to spoil the Shorebirds’ home opener. Starter Jesse Beal gave up five runs over five innings. Delmarva, which entered tonight averaging seven runs per game, was held to four hits. Tyler Kolodny hit a solo homer, his third homer of the season.

O’s update: Oakland leads the Orioles 2-0 after three and a half innings. Dallas Braden has needed just 51 pitches to get the first 12 Orioles out. He threw eight pitches in the first and then 13, 13 and 17 over the next three frames.

Update 2: Ty Wigginton’s two-run homer to left in the 5th cuts the A’s lead to 4-2. It’s his third homer of the year and third in the last four games. He is the early team leader in homers.