Trending
Chesapeake Baysox left-handed pitcher Caden Hunter made his first start at the Double-A level in Wednesday afternoon's game with the Altoona Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
It may turn out to be one of his most memorable starts while he's in the minors.
Hunter, who is the Baltimore Orioles' No. 11 prospect in the organization, flirted with a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a 9-2 win over the Curve.
An attendance of 3,922 fans saw Hunter only give up one hit over seven shutout innings. The only blemish came on a hard-hit single from Lonnie White Jr. in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs.
Hunter was perfect through the first four innings before giving up back-to-back four-pitch walks to Murf Gray and White Jr. to start the fifth inning. He then retired eight batters in a row before White's base hit in the seventh.
"He was able to throw his breaking ball for strikes," Curve manager Andy Fox said. "He had his changeup and his fastball going down and away.
"At the end of the day, he threw really well, but we also have to play better baseball."
New Hampshire's Rafael Sanchez no-hit the Curve last season in a seven-inning game as part of a doubleheader. The last time Altoona was held hitless through nine innings came on May 19, 2023 when Bowie's Chayce McDermott, Nolan Hoffman, and Easton Lucas combined for a no-no. McDermott made his MLB debut last week with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Altoona went with a bullpen game as Dominic Pipkin, Josh Loeschorn, Cy Nielson and Mike Walsh covered the nine innings. Pipkin was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs in the second inning.
Chesapeake designated hitter Willy Vasquez went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and drove in two runs. Thomas Sosa blasted an opposite-field homer in the ninth inning off Walsh.
What does the Fox say?
Fox was ejected for the first time this season and the second time in two seasons as Curve manager in the second inning.
Chesapeake's Griff O'Ferrall squared around to bunt and was hit by a pitch. While it had looked like O'Ferrall was still squared around to bunt, the ball appeared to hit O'Ferrall's bat before grazing his helmet.
After a conference between the umpires, O'Ferrall was awarded first base, much to the dismay of Fox.
"I still don't understand what happened," Fox said. "It went from no-call to foul ball to hit by pitch. It's another reminder of why they're here. The game can speed on them."
Taylor bomb
In an otherwise forgettable day for the Curve offense, Will Taylor provided the only runs of the day on a two-run homer that hit the Pennsylvania Lottery sign in right-center field.
It was Taylor's sixth home run of the year. He is hitting .232 on the season.
"He's been swinging the bat a little bit better," Fox said. "Hopefully that continues and he gains some confidence."
Up next
The series continues this evening at 6 o'clock with the Baysox. The Curve will start right-hander Peyton Stumbo (1-9, 5.67 ERA), and Chesapeake will send southpaw Sebastian Gongora (8-5, 3.93 ERA) to the mound.