Kevin T. Connor, The Examiner
2007-08-01 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

The Bowie Baysox have something no team in the Orioles’ franchise possesses, but desperately wants: a winning record.

The Baysox (56-52) vaulted above .500 last week and entered Tuesday’s home game with the Portland Sea Dogs (55-50) on a nine-game winning streak.

On Sunday, Bowie swept the Eastern League’s weekly honors, as first baseman Luis Antonio Jimenez was named the Player of the Week and Radhames Liz was the Pitcher of the Week.

“Luis has tremendous power and it is to all fields,” said David Stockstill, Orioles assistant general manager and director of minor league operations. “His defense is his liability, but as long as he hits he can keep going forward.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound first baseman went 12-for-28 last week with 3 home runs, 2 doubles and 12 RBIs. While Jimenez was flexing his bat, Liz (9-4) was making sure opponents did not. The right-hander pitched 13 innings in two games and came away with one win. He allowed only 6 hits and 2 earned runs to go along with 16 strikeouts.

NORFOLK TIDES (AAA)

The Tides (53-55) entered the week in third place in the International League South. First baseman Mike Cervenak is second in the league with 118 hits and is leading the team in home runs (11) and runs scored (56), On the mound, right-hander Jim Hoey and left-hander Kurt Birkins are working toward returning to the Orioles.

“Birkins has got his pitch count up to be a regular starter,” Stockstill said. “Hoey has made steady progress and he will be able to pitch more innings at a time and get in games earlier.”

FREDERICK KEYS (A)

David Hernandez has been unhittable during stretches for the Keys (15-21). The right-hander has posted a Carolina League-leading 119 strikeouts, but has allowed 102 hits in 105 2/3 innings with a 5.11 ERA.

DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS (A)

Even just two games below .500 the Shorebirds (17-19) are in sixth place in the South Atlantic League North. However, two players — outfielder Brandon Tripp and first baseman Chirs Vinyard — are having superb seasons. Tripp has recorded a team-high 57 runs and 14 homers, with Young leading the Shorebirds in runs batted-in (62) and doubles (23).

“He is a very good clutch hitter,” Stockstill said of Vineyard. “He is at his best when there are men on scoring position and two outs. He raises his level of intensity.”

ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS (A)

Matt Angle gives the IronBirds (19-20) a viable speed threat on the bases. He is third in the New York-Penn League in stolen bases (17) and runs (28). The seventh-round selection in this year’s draft out of Ohio State has also been patient at the plate, as he leads the team in walks (26) and hits (39).