The Baysox hitting woes continued Monday night as they were shut out 1-0 at home by the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The loss drops the Baysox to 15-16 and out of first place in the Western Division.
Right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Atkins pitched six innings for the Baysox and allowed just one earned run on two hits, but it wasn’t enough as the Bowie offense was unable to score any runs.
“Everything is getting a little more consistent, the past three outings everything has felt pretty good,” Atkins said. “A few of those walks hurt me and my pitch count got up there. The first few innings I was getting some quick outs and then I started walking some guys and that raised my pitch count.”
The Baysox had just three hits on the night, one of them by second baseman Greg Miclat who has hit safely in a Baysox season-high six straight games. With that mark, Miclat ties his longest hitting streak with Bowie when he hit safely in six straight games from July 7-12, 2010.
“I’m just trying to go up there and be aggressive,” Miclat said. “I’m seeing the ball all right and I’ve just been connecting and the ball has been finding holes. I just have a little more rhythm and I feel better at the plate and I’m just more locked in mentally.”
The lone run of the game came in the top of the fourth inning after Charlie Culberson hit an infield single to shortstop with two outs. With Kieschnick batting, Culberson stole second base and then a fielding error by Miclat allowed Kieschnick to reach first and plated Culberson for what was the game winning run.
The Baysox best chance to score came in the third inning when Miclat hit a two out double to right field. Catcher Caleb Joseph followed with a single to shallow left field that moved Miclat to third base, but a strikeout by designated hitter Steve Lerud ended the inning.
The Flying Squirrels had a chance to add another run in the top of the seventh inning, but a great defensive play by Joseph helped to keep the Baysox in the game. With right-handed reliever Dan Klein on the mound, Joe Koshansky doubled to left field to lead off the inning and a ground out by Johnny Monell moved him to third. Aaron Lowenstein attempted a squeeze bunt to score Koshanky, but popped it up into foul territory where Joseph was able to make a diving catch to keep the runner from scoring.
“They were squeezing and [Carlos] Rojas did a good job letting everybody know he [Koshansky] was running,” Joseph said. “We got fortunate he [Klein] left that curveball up and he [Lowenstein] got the bottom part of it. As soon as I heard squeeze I was ready for anything and at first I thought I wasn’t going to have a chance to get it, but I was just fortunate to hold it in and it was a big play to keep us in the game.”
Klein pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Atkins and struck out three while allowing one hit. Atkins has not allowed a run in three appearances with the Baysox this season. Right-handed closer Jose Diaz pitched the ninth inning for the Baysox and struck out the side while also walking one batter.
Right-handed pitcher Daryl Maday had his best outing of the season for Richmond. Maday pitched five and two-thirds scoreless innings and struck out seven while giving up just three hits. The Flying Squirrels bullpen pitched three and one-third no hit innings to close out the game.
While poor hitting by the Baysox offense has been to blame in many of the team’s losses this season, it was solid pitching and some unluckiness that hurt Bowie in Monday’s loss.
“It was just good pitching from both pitching staffs,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “I thought their kid worked well; sinker-slider pitcher sunk the ball, changed speeds and kind of kept us off. I thought we put some pretty good swings on it but some were sharp ground balls that were hit at some people.”
The Baysox are at home through May 15 for a seven-game home stand that includes a Baysox Fleece Blanket Giveaway Thursday, May 5, Ghostbusters Night Friday, May 13, 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.
