March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 52 F

Baysox Silence Thunder

For the third consecutive game, the Baysox overcame an early deficit to come back and beat Trenton 6-4 at home Saturday evening. With the win, the Baysox improve to 55-43 on the season and just one game behind the first place Harrisburg Senators.

The Baysox tied their season-high with six stolen bases in the game and they have stolen 11 bases in the last two games. Center fielder Xavier Avery had led the way with five stolen bases over that time and second baseman Greg Miclat has increased his team-leading total to 35.

“These guys are slow to the plate and we are taking advantage of it,” Avery said. “It’s a big weapon – I stole a bag yesterday and got into scoring position and they hit me in so it’s really big to gain 90 feet.”

Bowie hitters were effective getting on base, but struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, hitting just 3-for-14 and tying a season-high with 14 runners left on base. The Baysox had runners on first and third with less than two outs in the third and fifth innings and failed to score runs on both occasions.

“We stranded some runners and I really thought that was going to come back and bite us,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “We had opportunities – first and third no outs, first and third one out – we just couldn’t put the ball in play. Those add-on runs are important. The home runs gave us a little bit of motivation, but we played a little flat defensively. We got some big two outs hits tonight that probably won us the ball game.”

The Thunder got out to the early lead in the top of the second inning against right-handed pitcher Tim Bascom.  With one out, Melky Mesa was hit by a pitch.  Zoilo Almonte then hit a single to left-center field that got under the glove of Hoes allowing Mesa to score and Almonte to get to third.  With two outs in the inning, Damon Sublett knocked in Almonte with an infield single that made the score 2-0.

In the fourth inning, the Baysox took their first lead against Trenton starter Dellin Betances.  Left fielder L.J. Hoes led off with a walk and with one out, catcher Steve Lerud and third baseman Brandon Waring hit back-to-back home runs to give the Baysox their first lead of the game.  Miclat then drew his second walk of the game, stole second and scored on a two-out double to center field by right fielder Ronnie Welty that gave the Baysox a 4-2 lead.

The Thunder evened the game on the top of the sixth.  Rob Lyerly led off the inning with a home run to right-center field that got the Thunder within one run.  With one out, Almonte walked and went go to third on two wild pitches.  He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Pirela that made the score 4-4.

In the bottom half of the inning the Baysox took the lead right back against Trenton reliever Chase Whitely.  With one out, shortstop Pedro Florimon reached on an error and Welty walked.  Then with two outs, Avery knocked in Florimon on a double down the left field line that gave the Baysox a 5-4 lead.

The Baysox added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Trenton reliever Ryan Flannery.  Avery led off with a walk then stole second and third base.  With two outs in the inning, Waring hit an RBI double to left field that scored Avery to make the score 6-4.

Bascom pitched five and two-thirds innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four, but he did not factor into the decision.

“It was pretty hot out there; there wasn’t a lot of wind movement,” Bascom said. “Sometimes you kind of pick up a few trick of the trade – you change shirts outs. Being from Florida I’ve dealt with the heat before so it wasn’t anything too new. I just left a few pitches up and they hit them.”

Right-handed reliever Armando Gabino pitched two and one-third scoreless innings in relief of Bascom and struck out three while not allowing any hits as he earned the win. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola pitched a scoreless ninth innings to record his third save of the season.

Sunday, RHP Oliver Drake (1-1, 9.37) takes the mound for the Baysox as they finish a series with the Trenton Thunder. His opponent will be LHP Shaeffer Hall (8-4, 4.06).

The Baysox are home through Wednesday, July 27 for a seven game home stand that features Summer Reading Night and Fireworks Sunday, July 24, the Jayson Werth Bobblehead giveaway Monday, July 25 and Tailgate Tuesday, July 26.

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 or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

Previous Article

Fatal Motorcycle Crash In Pasadena

Next Article

Regional Recap, July 25, 2011

You might be interested in …