The Baysox topped the Flying Squirrels 3-2 in a wild game that began with a 1:22 rain delay and included five combined errors and three unearned runs. With their second win in a row, the Baysox improve to 26-28 on the season.
Left-handed starting pitcher Rick Zagone had a second start in a row affected by rain, but remained largely unaffected, throwing six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out three. Despite his quality start, Zagone did not factor into the decision as the Baysox offense struggled to push runs across.
“It’s been raining every time I throw so I’m starting to get used to it,” Zagone said. “I was making my pitches, got some ground balls and was able to come up with some plays. I was trying to keep us in the game and we pulled it out so it was a fun game.”
With the game starting more than an hour after originally scheduled, sloppy defense on both sides contributed to Zagone’s short outing and how close the game stayed. Multiple fielding errors allowed extra runners to get on base and into position to score.
“It’s funny the errors that we made are things that we’ve been working on the last two days,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “We were out there doing a lot of early work – double play feeds and exchanges out there, but it kind of slipped up on us.”
Aided by the Baysox defense, the Flying Squirrels got on the board first in the fourth inning. With one out, Drew Biery singled to left field and then Jose Flores and Sharlon Schoop reached base on back-to-back errors on potential double play balls by second baseman Greg Miclat and shortstop Pedro Florimon. The next batter, Aaron Lowenstein, hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Biery and gave Richmond a 1-0 lead.
The Baysox got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. After Squirrels starter Clayton Tanner retired the first 13 batters of the game, right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a single to right field to become the first base runner of the game. Left fielder LJ Hoes then reached on an error and the two runners were balked into scoring position by Tanner. Florimon hit a double to deep center field that scored both runners and gave the Baysox a 2-1 lead.
Richmond would answer right back in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Jose Flores hit a triple into the right field corner. Then with Aaron Lowenstein batting, Zagone threw a wild pitch that allowed Flores to score and tie the game at 2-2.
In the seventh inning, the Baysox took the lead back for good. Florimon led off the inning with a single. After reliever Osiris Matos retired the next two batters, center fielder Xavier Avery was awarded first base on catcher’s interference and Florimon went to second. Miclat then knocked in the go ahead run with a single to right-center field that scored Florimon and gave the Baysox a 3-2 lead.
Right-handed relief pitcher Dan Klein continued his success for Bowie with another scoreless outing where he pitched two innings in relief of Zagone and did not allow a hit while striking out two and earning his third win of the season. In nine appearances with Bowie, Klein has pitched 16 and two-thirds innings and allowed just three runs (two earned) on 14 hits while striking out 16.
“I felt good,” Klein said. “I just wanted to go out there and pound the strike zone. I had all four [pitches] tonight and I was throwing them for strikes and that’s what led to my success.”
Right-handed closer Jose Diaz recorded his Eastern League leading 17th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
When Richmond and Bowie have faced off this season, the results always seem to be close and the same can be said about Wednesday’s game. Twelve of the 14 games between the Squirrels and the Baysox have been decided by two or fewer runs and Wednesday’s game was deadlocked until the Baysox scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
While the Baysox defense had its share of difficulties in Wednesday’s win, it also stepped up and bailed Zagone out of several jams, including a situation in the third inning where two runners were on with no outs. Lowenstein reached on a fielding error by Florimon and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Ryan Lormand walked. Skyler Stromsmoe attempted a sacrifice bunt, but catcher Caleb Joseph was able to get the force out at third and third baseman Carlos Rojas turned the double play at first to help Zagone get out of the inning.
Thursday, RHP Zach Clark (5-3, 4.21) takes the mound for the Baysox against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. His opponent will be LHP Ryan Verdugo (2-1, 2.93).
The Baysox are home through Sunday, June 5. Several exciting promotions and theme nights are scheduled for the upcoming home stand, including Harry Potter Party, Friday, June 3, Negro League Tribute Night, Saturday, June 4 and Educator Appreciation Day with special guest Dennis Haskins aka Mr. Belding, Sunday, June 5. 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.
