IronBirds Snap 8-Game Skid in Prospects's Debut

The Orioles got their first good look at a pair of young prospects Wednesday.

Two of the organization's top 10 picks in the 2011 draft helped the IronBirds (3–17) snap an eight-game losing streak, 2–1, at home against the Lowell Spinners.

Mike Wright, a third-round selection, threw two scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out three. Fifth-round pick and southpaw Matt Taylor followed with two more innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out one.

With the IronBirds trailing 1–0 in the fifth, Taylor was on the record for a loss when Joe Velleggia was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Dudley Leonora scored on the play to tie the game.

Wynston Sawyer followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Glynn Davis for the decisive run. Davis had a game-high three hits in four at-bats.

Travis Strong (1–0) earned the win for the home team while Enrico Jimenez struck out all four batters he faced to end the game with his first save.

Madison Younginer (0–2) took the loss for Lowell (9–10). He allowed both runs on five hits while striking out three in five innings.

Baltimore’s ninth-round pick Devin Jones made his IronBirds debut Tuesday allowing two runs—neither earned—while striking out three. Seventh-round pick Trent Howard joined the roster earlier in the season and pitched two scoreless innings in a Tuesday start.

Wright, who had pitched one inning in the Gulf Coast League before joining Aberdeen, reached 96 mph on the stadium radar gun. After giving up a game-opening triple to Keury De La Cruz, the righty was perfect in the rest of his brief outing.

Taylor had previously pitched two innings in the Gulf Coast League.

All three IronBirds wins this season have come at home. They are scheduled to host Lowell again in the second of a three-game series Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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