Baltimore Orioles: Caleb Joseph and Vanimal at Frederick

Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles rehab players Caleb Joseph and Vance Worley made successful starts with the Advanced “A” Frederick Keys on Tuesday night.

Among dignitaries taking in the game were Dan Duquette, Rick Peterson, a host of scouts, and most importantly the Associate Editor of The Baltimore Wire. The Keys scored six runs in the first two innings on the way to a 7-0 victory.

There is little to fault about the performances of Worley and Joseph. The Vanimal was originally scheduled to do just two innings, but after six up and six down his pitch count was not very high at all. So he was sent out for a third frame, with three more batters up and down.

Sitting behind the backstop and watching this unfold, there was nothing terribly special to the eye as to why he only had one hard-hit ball against him. The velocity was not exceptional in any way, nor was the ball movement discernable as unique. His pitch placement and command were very good. But the results were what is desired. Worley had two strikeouts.

Caleb Joseph started at catcher for the second consecutive day. He looked comfortable enough behind the plate, though on one particular occasion did not choose to go low and block a ball in the dirt. No Carolina Mudcats runners attempted to steal on him, though honestly their opportunities were not abundant.

Actually, Joseph did get hit with a pitch – a glancing blow when at the plate. Beyond this, Caleb had a double, a sac fly RBI and a walk. He hit two balls very hard, going the distance in the game.

Following Worley on the mound was Carolina League All-Star pitcher Matthew Grimes who pitched five shutout innings. The flame-throwing lefty Tanner Scott pitched a perfect ninth inning for the combined shutout.

The victory went to Grimes who improved his record to 8-4 on the season. He gave up five hits in his five innings, three of them of the infield variety. The Carolina League player of the month for May saw his ERA drop from 1.55 to 1.45 after this his 14^th game of the season (the first 13 being starts).

Other Keys players distinguishing themselves in the game included first baseman Conor Bierfeldt and shortstop Erick Salcedo.

For Bierfeldt, a 29^th-round selection in 2013, he was 3-for-4 with a homer and double. Over the past 18 games he is hitting .305 with and OBP of .391. Add to this 20 RBIs and six home runs. He is a big and strong boy.