March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 36 F

Johnson Throws A One-Hitter

Right-handed starting pitcher Steve Johnson threw a one-hitter in six innings of work in his return to the Baysox after two starts with Triple-A Norfolk as Bowie split another doubleheader with Akron. After losing the first game, the Baysox won the second 4-1 to improve to 10-10.

Left-handed starting pitcher Rick Zagone took the mound in the first game for the Baysox and despite a solid outing, the Baysox offense was unable to put enough runs on the board to win the game.

After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Baysox struck first in the top of the third inning. Third baseman Carlos Rojas grounded out and center fielder Xavier Avery struck out for two quick outs, but then Bowie was aided by an Akron error. Second baseman Greg Miclat reached first and took second on a throwing error by Jason Donald; and first baseman Robbie Widlansky capitalized with a single to left field that would score Miclat. The inning ended when Widlansky was thrown out trying to reach second on his base hit.

The Aeros tied the game back up in the fourth inning. John Drennen hit a lead off double to right field and Matt McBride flied out to center field and advanced him to third with one out. Tim Fedroff and Matt Lawson walked to load the bases and Donnie Webb hit a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Drennen and advanced runners to second and third. Zagone got out of the jam by getting Henry to ground out.

Akron scored again in the fifth inning to take the lead in the low-scoring game. With two outs, Chun Chen hit a home run on a fly ball to center field that put the Aeros up 2-1. Two runs would be enough to carry Akron to victory in the first leg of the doubleheader, as Bowie managed only four hits in the game and no runs in the final two innings.

After a rough previous outing, Zagone pitched five innings and allowed just two earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. In relief of Zagone, right-handed reliever Pedro Viola pitched one scoreless inning and allowed two hits.

Johnson was a welcome sight on the mound for the Baysox after being away from the team for two weeks. He struck out six and walked one as he dominated the Aeros in the second game of the doubleheader. After a slow first game, the Baysox offense also woke up and scored four runs on seven hits.

After struggling to find offense in the first game, the Baysox got on the board quickly in the second game. After Avery grounded out to start the game, Miclat doubled to left field. After right fielder Ronnie Welty struck out swinging, Widlansky hit a single to left field that plated Miclat to give Bowie the early 1-0 lead.

Akron quickly answered the Bowie run with one of its own in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Juan Diaz hit a home run to right field that tied the game at one.

After three scoreless innings, the Baysox broke the tie in the top of the fifth. Shortstop Pedro Florimon hit a lead off single to shortstop and a passed ball with catcher Steve Lerud batting moved him to second. Lerud then hit a sacrifice bunt that advanced Florimon to third and a single to right field by Rojas would push him across. First baseman Billy Rowell grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Baysox extended the lead in the sixth inning. Avery started the inning by drawing a walk and a sacrifice bunt by Miclat moved Avery to second. Welty grounded out, but advanced Avery to third and a triple by designated hitter Caleb Joseph cleared the bases to put Bowie up 4-1.

Right-handed closer Jose Diaz came in to replace Johnson in the bottom of the seventh inning and ran into some trouble as Akron attempted a late comeback. Juan Diaz hit a lead off single to shortstop and after Matt McBride popped out, Jose Diaz issued his first walk of the season to Drennen. A single to left field by Kyle Bellows would score Juan Diaz and move Drennen to third with just one out. Jose Diaz got out of the jam when he got Donnie Webb to ground into a game-ending double play.

Widlansky continued to drive in runs against the Aeros. He had three hits in five at bats in Thursday’s doubleheader and recorded an RBI in each game. Widlansky drove in five of the 11 runs the Baysox scored in the four game series with Akron. The first baseman and left fielder received some help scoring runs from the Joseph in the second game. The catcher, who was playing designated hitter in the second game, hit a two-RBI triple to record his second multi-RBI game of the season.

The team returns home for a seven game home stand Thursday, April 29. The home stand features Date Night at the Diamond Friday, April 30, NASCAR Night with a Nationwide stock car and racecar simulator postgame fireworks Saturday, April 31, and Mustache Mania Wednesday, April 4. For more information on Baysox promotions and theme nights, visit www.baysox.com.

Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com.

 

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