March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Rock Cats Stonewall Baysox

The Baysox were shut out for the second night in a row as they fell to the New Britain Rock Cats 5-0 Friday night. The loss drops the Baysox to 26-30 on the season.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee, making a Major League rehab appearance with the Baysox, was the highlight of the night as he went 2-for-3 in his first start since being placed on the Disabled List May 17 and was the only Baysox player to record multiple hits.

“My body felt good, I didn’t feel any pain or anything, my legs felt good so it was a good day,” Lee said. “I got myself in a couple good counts and took advantage of it. I enjoy seeing these guys who are fighting their way up to this [Major League] level is kind of refreshing. It was fun tonight.”

After Friday’s shut out loss, the Baysox have gone 19 innings since scoring their last run in a victory over Richmond June 1. The current scoreless innings streak is the longest of the season for the Baysox and Friday’s loss was the 11th time this season the Baysox have been unable to score a run.

“It seems the more we work, the less results we get sometimes,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “I don’t know whether they are pressing or thinking too much about it. There’s little things that you see, a [Pedro] Florimon double and you think you’re going to get things going or [Greg] Miclat comes up and bunts for a hit – it’s a little spark – you get your lead off guy on and you’re still within striking distance. You think you might have a shot and then things just don’t materialize.”

The Rock Cats got the scoring started in the top of the fifth inning.  With one out Chris Cates walked and then Michael Hollimon hit his sixth home run of the year to right field.  Then with two outs right-handed starting pitcher Chorye Spoone loaded the bases on a single and two walks.  Left-handed reliever Nick Bierbrodt then entered the game for Spoone and threw a wild pitch that allowed another run to score and made the score 3-0.

New Britain tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning against right-handed reliever Tim Bascom.  With two outs, Chris Parmelee reached on an error by second baseman Greg Miclat.  Jair Fernandez followed with an RBI double to deep left field and after a wild pitch, Deibinson Romero hit a single to left field that extended the lead to 5-0.

Spoone pitched four and two-thirds innings and allowed three earned runs on three hits while walking six and striking out two in the loss. Bierbrodt pitched one and one-thirds scoreless innings and allowed one hit. Bascom pitched two innings and allowed two unearned runs on two hits while striking out two. Right-handed reliever Raul Rivero pitched a scoreless ninth inning and allowed two hits while striking out one.

The Baysox pitching was not as sharp Friday as it has been this season and that was part of the reason the team fell too far behind to mount a comeback. Spoone walked three batters in the fifth inning and the Rock Cats took advantage with three runs. Bierbrodt and Bascom also threw wild pitches that allowed runners to score or move into scoring position.

“We pitched ourselves into trouble tonight,” Kendall. “I’m not happy about how we pitched. It was a 5-0 ballgame, but they weren’t doing much offensively and then you start walking two guys an inning and then all the sudden a squeak hit, a passed ball and things just come unglued. We’re not a ball club that can get down 5-0, so our pitchers can pitch out of some jams – I’m not dumping on them – but if we keep the game a little closer where it’s more manageable we might have a shot.”

Even as the team has struggled offensively, shortstop Pedro Florimon has put together a four game hitting streak. Florimon recorded the Baysox only extra-base hit in Friday’s loss when he doubled in the bottom of the second inning.

Saturday, RHP Wynn Pelzer (1-6, 5.32) takes the mound for the Baysox as they take on the New Britain Rock Cats. His opponent will be RHP Bobby Lanigan (4-3, 3.41).

The Baysox are home through Sunday, June 5. Several exciting promotions and theme nights are scheduled for the upcoming home stand, including 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.

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