March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 35 F

Major Leaguers Crush Baysox

Bowie Baysox

The Senators’ two Major League rehab players, Rick Ankiel and Michael Morse, each homered as the Senators topped the Baysox 5-2 Friday evening.

Baysox first baseman Tyler Townsend hit the first Double-A home run of his career in just his second game at the level to give the Baysox their only runs of the game. Earlier in the game, Townsend also recorded his first hit at the Double-A level when he singled to right field off Harrisburg starter Paul Demny.

“The first one is always the toughest so it was good to get the first hit and the first home run out of the way tonight,” Townsend said. “Hopefully I can keep it going and have a good year.”

Harrisburg got off to a quick start against right-handed starting pitcher Bobby Bundy in the top of the first inning. He allowed a one out single up the middle to Jeff Kobernus and center fielder Rick Ankiel, who is with the Senators on a Major League rehab assignment, homered to left field to put Harrisburg on the board. Designated hitter and fellow Major League rehabber Michael Morse followed with a double to right field, but Bundy was able to get out of inning with the score just 2-0.

The Senators continued their offensive surge in the second inning after a lead off single to right field by Sandy Leon. With one out, Josh Johnson hit an infield single to third base that put runners on first and second. Eury Perez followed with a ground ball single to left field that plated Leon and moved Johnson to second base. Johnson moved to third on a wild pitch, but Bundy was then able to retire the final two batters to keep the score 3-0.

“I thought as [Bundy] got deeper into his game – it was only a five inning start- but I thought from the third inning on he started mixing a little bit better and he kept them a little off balance,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “He kept them off his fastball. He was able to be a little bit more effective.”

Morse added to the Senators lead in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right-center field that made the score 4-0.

The Baysox made it onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning against right-handed reliever Erik Davis. Catcher Caleb Joseph hit a lead off single to left field and first baseman Tyler Townsend followed with a two-run shot to left field to make the score 4-2.

“[Davis] tried to come in with a fastball on the first pitch and he missed so I figured he wanted to come back in there right away and I was looking for a pitch out over the plate so I could drive it the other way and I got a good pitch to hit,” Townsend explained.

Harrisburg added one more run in the top of the ninth inning against right-handed reliever Pat Egan. Perez singled and stole second base with Kobernus batting. Kobernus struck out and Perez then scored from second on a single to right field by Chris Rahl that made the score 5-2.

In five innings of work, Bundy allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out six and not issuing a walk in the loss. Right-handed reliever Eddie Gamboa pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out two batters. Righty Wynn Pelzer followed with a scoreless inning of relief where he allowed one hit and struck out two. Right-handed reliever Pat Egan pitched the final inning for the Baysox, allowing one run on two hits.

While the Baysox did not struggle to get on base, recording 10 hits, they did struggle to convert those hits into runs. They had the bases loaded in the third inning, but were unable to get a clutch hit and shortstop Manny Machado hit a leadoff double in the eighth inning, but was unable to advance past second base.

“We threatened in the third, we threatened in the fourth and we couldn’t deliver a two-out hit,” Kendall said. “Things like that happen, but I liked us a little bit offensively. I thought we did some things, we just didn’t deliver the big hit and we had some situations too. Later in the game we got a lead off double and I think the inning sped up on us a little bit – first pitch swing, get a 5-3 ground ball.”

The Baysox first homestand of the year ends Wednesday, April 11. Before that day comes, the team has several fun activities planned including, the Kids Capital Spring Fling Saturday, April 7 at 2:05 p.m., University of Maryland Terrapins Baseball team appearance Monday, April 9, Tailgate Tuesday April 10 and a day game starting at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 11.

Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season 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.

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