March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 37 F

Aeros Fly Past Baysox

The Baysox offense struggled to get going Tuesday evening as they lost 5-1 to Akron in the second of a three game home series. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 7-12 on the season and remain in last place in the division.

After a rocky start to the game, Right-handed reliever Eddie Gamboa settled in and retired 12 consecutive batters during his four innings of work to keep the Baysox in the game, but the offense was unable to get anything going.

“Our bullpen was good – Egan gave up a cheap run,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “We gave up two cheap runs with a ball not leaving the infield tonight and you can’t do that against a pretty good team. I thought our bullpen pitched really well, Gamboa and Egan.”

After being shut out Monday night, Akron wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning against left-handed starting pitcher Cole McCurry. After cruising through the first two batters, McCurry surrendered a solo home run to right-center field by Jared Goedert. The two out damage continued as Chun Chen doubled to left field and scored when Nick Weglarz reached on a throwing error by Jonathan Schoop that made the score 2-0.

The Baysox got on the board in the bottom of the second inning against Akron left-handed starter T.J. McFarland. First baseman Brandon Waring drew a lead off walk, but was caught stealing with shortstop Manny Machado batting. Machado then doubled to right field and scored on a Robbie Widlansky single to center field that made the score 2-1.

Akron added more two out runs in the top of the third inning. Weglarz hit a one out single to shortstop but was thrown out a second when Ryan Rohlinger reached on a force out for the second out. Neal doubled to center field to move Rohlinger to third base and Abraham doubled to center field to clear the bases and give Akron a 4-1 lead.

The Aeros extended their lead in the top of the ninth inning against right-handed reliever Pat Egan. Neal hit a lead off double to left field and with two outs, Tim Fedroff singled to shortstop to plate Neal and put Akron up 5-1.

McCurry pitched four innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out two batters and walking two more in the loss. Gamboa pitched four perfect innings for the Baysox in relief of McCurry, not allowing a single hit while striking out one batter. Egan pitched the ninth inning for the Baysox, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter.

“It was one of those situations where you just have to go in and get early contact and give our team a chance to get back in there and get us back in the game,” Gamboa said. “I was just trying to get ahead in the count and let the defense do the work and that’s exactly what happened tonight.”

Despite having runners in scoring position on a number of occasions, the offense was unable to work itself back into the game. The team has struggled all season to hit with runners in scoring position and to string hits together.

“We stranded a lot of guys; you like to get that big hit and I thought in the seventh we had some opportunities,” said Kendall. “We make contact and put a run or two on the board there and I thought that we have a chance in a one run situation. We just didn’t get the big hit. We aren’t putting the ball in play enough with runners in scoring position. I understand that we have some inexperience in some of those situations, but we have to step it up because this is Double-A regardless of our age.”

The final game of the home series against Akron is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. Wednesday. RHP Zach Clark (1-1, 6.48) will be taking the mound against the Aeros RHP Steven Wright (2-1, 1.56).

The final game of the home stand will be a day game Wednesday starting at 11:05 a.m. The team departs Friday for a seven game road trip that includes stops in Harrisburg, Pa., and Richmond, Va. The team returns home for a three-game home stand against Akron Friday, May 4.

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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