A look around the minors and the Birdland Passport program is back

Let's take a look around the Orioles' minor league affiliates, as Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, high Single-A Frederick and low Single-A Delmarva have combined for an 8-11 start.

NORFOLK

After an 0-3 start, Norfolk has won back-to-back games, scoring 16 runs. Norfolk scored three runs in the seventh last night and two in the eighth to rally past Charlotte 7-6 after trailing 6-2.

Former Oriole Miguel Gonzalez started against his former organization last night. Against the Tides, Gonzalez went five innings, allowing three hits and two runs. He gave up solo homers to Christian Walker and Audry Perez.

Perez did not start the first of the three games. But over the past two contests, he has gone 5-for-7 (.714) with two doubles, a homer and six RBIs. Walker is the youngest player on the Norfolk roster and is batting .389 (7-for-18) with two homers and six RBIs. He has two homers the last three games. Walker has made four starts in left field and one as the designated hitter.

With the addition of left-hander Ariel Miranda, last night's starting pitcher, there are now four Cuban-born players on the Tides: Miranda, Dariel Alvarez, Odrisamer Despaigne and Henry Urrutia. In his Triple-A debut Monday, Miranda allowed six hits and one run over 4 2/3 innings.

The Tides feature three players who are the sons of former major leaguers: Steve Tolleson (infielder Wayne Tolleson, 1981-1990), Michael Almanzar (right-hander Carlos Almanzar, 1997-2005) and Francisco Pena (catcher Tony Pena, 1980-1997) all saw their fathers enjoy long big league careers. In addition, Joey Terdoslavich's uncle is Mike Greenwell, who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1985-1996.

BOWIE

The Baysox, the defending Eastern League champions, also got off to an 0-3 start, making seven errors and allowing 20 runs. But Bowie rallied to win last night 11-9 over Erie.

Pitching on a rehab assignment, O's lefty Brian Matusz gave up six runs in the top of the first. But by the end of the second, Bowie led 7-6. Trey Mancini, Corban Joseph and Julio Borbon all hit homers for the Baysox, and catcher Chance Sisco went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Mancini is batting .267 (4-for-15) with three homers and six RBIs. Bowie has a team ERA of 6.25.

Right-hander Jason Garcia, the Orioles' Rule 5 pick in 2014, will make his season debut for the Baysox on the mound tonight. Left-hander Jayson Aquino, acquired last Thursday from St. Louis for cash considerations, will get the starting assignment for Bowie in tomorrow's 11:05 a.m. game. That will be the O's organization debut for Aquino, who went 5-11 with a 3.28 ERA for three teams last year.

FREDERICK

The Keys have lost back-to-back games since a 2-1 start. While outfielder Jay Gonzalez is batting .400 (6-for-15) with four stolen bases, a few other players have gotten off to slow starts. Outfielder Josh Hart is 2-for-22 (.091), second baseman Stephen Wilkerson is 1-for-16 (.063) and catcher Jonah Heim is 1-for-13 (.077), as the Keys have scored 21 runs in five games. Third basemam Jomar Reyes is batting .235 (4-for-17) but has drawn a team-leading five walks.

DELMARVA

In last night's 2-1 loss at Kannapolis, four Shorebirds pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts over eight innings. Starter Ofelky Peralta gave up two runs over 2 2/3 innings and fanned five. Then Reid Love struck out six in 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Elias Pinales and Jay Flaa then each fanned three in one inning. Delmarva (3-2) has a 2.08 team ERA, best among the O's affiliates.

On offense, Alex Murphy out of Calvert Hall in Baltimore is batting .444 (8-for-18) with four doubles and seven RBIs. After five days of the season, he is tied for the South Atlantic League lead in doubles and RBIs. Ryan Mountcastle is batting .200 (3-for-15) with a homer and DJ Stewart is batting .071 (1-for-14).

It's back: The Orioles have announced that the popular Birdland Passport program, designed to reward fans who visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Orioles' local minor league affiliate ballparks, will return for another season. All five minor league affiliates - the Norfolk Tides, Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds, and Aberdeen IronBirds - will continue to participate this season.

"The Birdland Passport program is a unique initiative that encourages fans to experience our national pastime throughout the Mid-Atlantic region," said Greg Bader, Orioles vice president of communications & marketing. "This program is especially appealing to families, who value family-friendly, affordable entertainment choices throughout the summer."

Fans can sign up for a complimentary passport at the fan assistance center in the Warehouse at Oriole Park or at any of the five minor league ballparks. Fans who visit five of the six Orioles-affiliated ballparks and have their passport marked with a 2016 stamp will receive a limited edition Orioles travel mug (one per customer, per passport). Those who visit all six ballparks in one season will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to see the Birds play in 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. More information on the program is available at www.orioles.com/passport.