The Baysox drew five walks in the first three innings Friday night, but did not record a hit until the bottom of the fifth inning as they were shut out 4-0 at home against the Akron Aeros. The loss ends a three game winning streak and drops the Baysox to 18-17 and into a first place tie with Altoona in the Western Division.
Akron pitcher Austin Adams walked five batters in five innings, but allowed just one hit and no runs as the Baysox were unable to capitalize when they put runners into scoring position. As a team, the Baysox were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Right-handed pitcher Wynn Pelzer lost his fourth straight decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while walking four and striking out four. Pelzer threw at least 15 pitches in each of his five innings of work as he struggled to locate his pitches and get quick outs.
“I’ve been working on some things, making some adjustments and was trying to get comfortable out there – I don’t know if I ever really did,” Pelzer said. “I just tried to stay out there and battle to keep us in the game. I have to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate and I didn’t do a good enough job out there in my last inning and some guys got some hits and extended their lead a little bit.”
The Aeros scored their first run in the bottom of the third inning after Jordan Henry reached on a fielding error by second baseman Greg Miclat. With Juan Diaz batting, Henry stole second and then moved to third on a single by Diaz. Henry scored when Jared Goedert doubled to left field to put the Aeros up 1-0.
The Baysox best chance to score and capitalize on Adams’ control issues came in the bottom of the third inning. Adams started the inning by walking left fielder Kyle Hudson and center fielder Xavier Avery. However, with runners on first and second and no outs, Miclat lined into a double play when Adams made a catch in self-defense and doubled up Hudson at second base to end the Baysox scoring threat.
“When you look at the third inning, it’s a 1-0 game and their guy’s having control issues,” said Hitting Coach Denny Hocking. “He walks Hudson and Avery and Miclat hits an absolute rocket of a fastball and he [Adams] catches in self-defense to double off Hudson. That’s the play of the game. That ball goes through, it’s 1-1 with two guys on and 3-4-5 hitters coming up. It changes the complete complexion of the game.”
Akron scored two more runs on Pelzer in the top of the fifth inning. Henry opened the frame with a walk and Diaz drove him in with a double to right field, but was thrown out trying to stretch his hit to third. Goedert then singled to center field and after Matt McBride struck out, John Drennen doubled to right field to score Goedert and put the Aeros up 3-0. Right-handed reliever Dan Klein entered the game for Pelzer with two outs and ended the inning by retiring Chen Chen on a fly out to right field.
The Aeros scored one more run in the top of the eighth inning while facing left-handed reliever Nick Bierbrodt. With two outs, Matt Lawson drew a walk and a single to center field by Kyle Bellows moved him to third. Donnie Webb then reached on a fielding error by Miclat that allowed Lawson to score and put Akron up 4-0.
Making his fourth appearance with the Baysox, Klein has yet to allow a run. He pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two while allowing two hits on Saturday. Bierbrodt, making his first appearance for Bowie, allowed one unearned run on one hit in two innings of work.
After Adams was removed from the game for Akron, right-handed reliever Paolo Espino entered and threw four scoreless innings for the Aeros. Espino allowed just two hits while striking out six batters.
After two strong outings, the Baysox offense struggled to get hits Saturday. After two consecutive nine hit games, Bowie recorded their third three hit game of the season. While the Baysox were able to get runners on base by drawing walks, the Akron defense came through with several defensive stops that robbed the Baysox of hits and runs.
“The pitcher [Adams] was worried about his mechanics a little bit and he fell behind some hitters in the first three or four innings,” said Field Coach Einar Diaz. “We had some chances in the first couple innings when we had some walks, and we hit the ball hard but we got unlucky and their defense took a few hits from us.”
The lone player consistently able to get on base was Avery, who walked twice and recorded a single in the fifth inning – the team’s first hit of the game. Avery is currently in the midst of a four-game hitting streak.
“The first pitcher was wild and I stayed with my approach of being patient,” Avery said. “The second pitcher was more around the zone today, and I felt good at the plate.”
Saturday, RHP Steve Johnson (1-1, 2.45) takes the mound for the Baysox as they continue their series with Akron. His opponent will be LHP TJ McFarland (1-1, 7.16).
The Baysox are at home through May 15 for a seven-game home stand that includes Fairy Tale Night Saturday, May 14, and Bark in the Park Sunday, May 15. 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.
