Norfolk Tides Weekly Recap (Since Last Friday): One Win, Plenty of Promise Despite a Difficult Week
Norfolk Tides Weekly Recap (Since Last Friday): One Win, Plenty of Promise Despite a Difficult Week
The Norfolk Tides endured another difficult week, finishing 1-6 since last Friday as they wrapped up their road series against the Syracuse Mets before returning home to Harbor Park for a weather-shortened series against the Durham Bulls. While the wins were scarce, the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate continued to showcase why Baltimore’s farm system remains one of baseball’s deepest.
Several of the organization’s top prospects produced standout performances, including Heston Kjerstad, José Barrero, Enrique Bradfield Jr., Ryan Noda and Jud Fabian. The week also featured multiple Major League rehab assignments that could soon impact Baltimore’s roster, while the Tides welcomed additional roster reinforcements as the Orioles continued shuffling players between Norfolk and Camden Yards.
Unfortunately, one recurring issue prevented Norfolk from turning competitive games into victories.
Bullpen struggles.
Three different games slipped away late, including a heartbreaking extra-inning loss in Syracuse and another contest where Norfolk scored 10 runs but still came away empty-handed. Even so, there were plenty of positives for Orioles fans following the club’s top prospects.
June 19
Norfolk Tides 14, Syracuse Mets 3
Norfolk’s lone victory of the week was also its most impressive performance of the season.
The Tides overwhelmed Syracuse with 16 hits, including nine extra-base hits, while nearly every hitter in the lineup contributed. It was the type of offensive explosion Baltimore’s player development staff loves to see from a roster loaded with Major League talent.
Offensive Stars
José Barrero
- 4-for-5
- Two home runs
- Double
- Four RBIs
- Four runs scored
Barrero produced arguably the finest offensive game of his professional career, reaching base four times while repeatedly punishing Syracuse pitching.
Jud Fabian
- Home run
- Three RBIs
- Three runs scored
- Three walks
Fabian continued showing why he remains one of Baltimore’s intriguing power prospects.
Johnathan Rodríguez
- Home run
- Double
- Two RBIs
Ryan Noda
- Home run
Enrique Bradfield Jr.
- Three hits
- Set the table all evening from the top of the lineup.
The pitching staff also did its job. Christian Herberholz battled through 4.2 innings before José Espada, Josh Walker and Hans Crouse combined for scoreless relief to finish the blowout.
June 20
Syracuse Mets 11, Norfolk Tides 10
One night after scoring 14 runs, Norfolk nearly pulled off another offensive masterpiece.
Instead, it became one of the club’s toughest losses of the season.
The Tides plated 10 runs, but Syracuse answered with timely hitting and late offense to steal an 11-10 victory.
Despite the defeat, Norfolk’s lineup once again impressed with multiple extra-base hits and production throughout the batting order.
The loss illustrated how thin the margin for error has become for the pitching staff.
June 21
Syracuse Mets 5, Norfolk Tides 3
The Tides closed the first half with another frustrating defeat.
MLB Rehab Assignment
One of the biggest stories wasn’t the final score.
Dean Kremer made an MLB rehabilitation start as he worked his way back from a right quad strain.
Kremer pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just one run while striking out five. His fastball showed good life, and Baltimore undoubtedly came away encouraged with the outing.
Offensively, Enrique Bradfield Jr. continued swinging the bat well, helping Norfolk briefly take the lead before Syracuse answered late.
The bullpen again couldn’t preserve the advantage as Norfolk dropped another close contest.
June 23
Rain Changes the Schedule
Tuesday night’s opener against Durham was postponed because of rain.
The postponement created a Wednesday doubleheader and forced Norfolk to lean even more heavily on its pitching depth during an already difficult stretch.
One positive development arrived before the game was postponed.
Dylan Beavers Begins Rehab Assignment
One of Baltimore’s better young outfielders officially began his rehabilitation assignment with Norfolk.
His arrival immediately strengthened the Tides lineup while giving Orioles fans another player to monitor over the coming weeks.
June 24 – Game One
Durham Bulls 6, Norfolk Tides 4
Norfolk returned home hoping to start the series with momentum.
Instead, Durham capitalized on timely hitting while the Tides couldn’t deliver the big hit with runners aboard.
Norfolk fought throughout the afternoon but left too many scoring opportunities unfulfilled.
June 24 – Game Two
Durham Bulls 5, Norfolk Tides 3
The nightcap looked much like Game One.
Competitive baseball.
Not enough execution late.
Norfolk again received contributions from several regulars but couldn’t overcome another solid Durham pitching performance.
Dropping both games of the doubleheader placed the Tides in an even deeper hole entering Thursday.
June 25
Durham Bulls 7, Norfolk Tides 5
The finale may have been the week’s most frustrating loss.
Norfolk built a 5-1 lead before everything unraveled during a disastrous seventh inning.
Durham erupted for six runs, highlighted by a grand slam that completely changed the game.
Offensive Highlights
Heston Kjerstad
- Home run
- Two RBIs
Ryan Noda
- Home run
- Two hits
- Two RBIs
Bryan Ramos
- Home run
Starter Chris Kachmar gave Norfolk exactly what it needed, allowing just one run over 4.2 innings before the bullpen surrendered the lead.
It spoiled another excellent offensive effort from several Orioles prospects.
Players Who Stood Out
José Barrero
Barrero continued putting together one of the best offensive seasons in the International League.
His two-homer explosion on June 19 highlighted another productive week and reinforced his value as organizational depth.
Heston Kjerstad
Kjerstad continued showing why Baltimore values his left-handed power.
He homered against Durham while consistently reaching base throughout the week.
Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Bradfield continued impacting games in multiple ways.
His speed, defense and improved offensive consistency remain encouraging signs for one of Baltimore’s highest-upside prospects.
Ryan Noda
Noda quietly had one of Norfolk’s better weeks.
His power production helped keep the offense competitive throughout both series.
Jud Fabian
Fabian’s combination of power and patience remained on display during Norfolk’s offensive outburst against Syracuse.
Rehab Assignments
The Orioles continued using Norfolk as the final stop for injured players preparing to return to Baltimore.
Dean Kremer
- Rehab start June 21
- 3.2 innings
- One run allowed
- Five strikeouts
Dylan Beavers
- Began rehab assignment before the Durham series
Both players represent potential reinforcements for Baltimore in the coming weeks.
Transactions Since June 19
The biggest roster news involved Baltimore’s rehab assignments.
- Dean Kremer joined Norfolk for a rehab start.
- Dylan Beavers officially began his rehab assignment.
- The Orioles continued to cycle pitchers between Triple-A and Baltimore as bullpen needs evolved, leaving Norfolk with a constantly changing roster.
Final Thoughts
Although the record reads 1-6 since last Friday, the week wasn’t without positives.
Norfolk’s offense demonstrated it can score with anyone in Triple-A, highlighted by a 14-run explosion against Syracuse and another 10-run effort the following day. Barrero, Kjerstad, Fabian, Bradfield and Noda all gave Orioles fans reasons for optimism, while the rehab assignments of Dean Kremer and Dylan Beavers brought Baltimore one step closer to adding reinforcements.
The challenge moving forward is finishing games.
Too many late leads disappeared, and several close losses could have easily become victories with one shutdown inning from the bullpen.
If the pitching stabilizes, this talented roster has enough offensive firepower to make a strong push during the second half of the International League season.
