Every player in the Baysox starting lineup recorded a hit as the team used a pair of early home runs and help from some Baltimore Orioles players to secure an 8-0 shutout win over Akron Monday night. Baysox starter Branden Kline also turned in his best start of the season, throwing seven shutout innings.
Baltimore Orioles infielders J.J. Hardy and Ryan Flaherty were in Bowie Monday, playing with the Baysox on a Major League Rehab Assignment. Flaherty started at second base and batted second while Hardy batted third and started at shortstop. The duo combined to go 3-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Brandon Snyder put the Baysox on the board first with a solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the first inning against Akron starter Ryan Merritt.
Jason Esposito added to the Baysox lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Esposito’s first Double-A home run came after a Snyder single to lead-off the inning.
The Baysox doubled their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Snyder drew a one-out walk and moved to third base on a Chris O’Brien single and throwing error by third baseman Yandy Diaz. David Freitas brought both runners home with a two-out double to center field and he then scored on a Mike Yastrzemski single to right field to give the Baysox a 6-0 lead.
The Orioles rehabbers aided the Baysox cause in the bottom of the seventh inning against Akron reliever Trey Haley. Flaherty hit a lead-off double to center field and Hardy followed with an RBI double to center field. Hardy later scored on an Esposito single to right field to give the Baysox an 8-0 lead.
Kline threw seven shutout innings and allowed just two hits while striking out four in the win. Reliever Ashur Tolliver pitched the final two innings, allowing three hits and walking two while striking out one.
It’s an exciting pitching matchup Tuesday as RHP Dylan Bundy (0-2, 3.00) takes the mound for the Baysox against Indians #10 prospect RHP Cody Anderson (2-1, 1.13). Baltimore Orioles infielders J.J. Hardy and Ryan Flaherty are also both scheduled to start in Bowie on MLB Rehab Assignments.
The Baysox are home through Thursday, May 7 for a seven game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators and Akron RubberDucks. Highlights of the homestand include Dollar Dog Night Tuesday, May 5 at 6:35 p.m. and Wear Orange Wednesday, May 6 at 6:35 p.m.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 2015 season, their 23rd as the class Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, is underway at Prince George’s Stadium. Come see some of the top Orioles prospects play here first. To keep up with Baysox news during the season, visit baysox.com.
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