The Reading Fightin Phils jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never looked back with an 8-5 win over the Baysox Monday. With tonight’s loss, the Baysox fall to 3-7 in their last ten games and 7-11 in the month of July. Despite the loss and the Baysox slump this month, the team still holds a 1.5 game lead over the second place Altoona Curve.
The Baysox entered play today in first place in the Western Division and looking to start with a win in the first of a three game home series against the Eastern Division leading Reading Fightin Phils. This is the first meeting this season between the two teams and Reading was the only team the Baysox had yet to play in the Eastern League.
Reading jumped to an early lead off Baysox starter Parker Bridwell in the top of the first when Brock Stassi singled to left scoring J.P. Crawford from second base to give the Fightin Phils the first run of the game. Reading would add another in the top of the first making it 2-0 after an Andrew Knapp RBI single.
The Baysox got one back in the bottom of the second when Quincy Latimore hit his seventh home run of the year making it 2-1. Reading got that run back and added another in the top of the third when both Knapp and Brian Pointer had RBI singles making it 4-1 Reading.
Bridwell (3-4, 3.91 ERA), who hadn’t pitched since July 6, pitched only 2.1 innings in the start and gave up four runs on eight hits. Bridwell was replaced in the top of the third inning by Ashur Tolliver with two men on and only one out. Tolliver escaped the jam and also went on to pitch 2.2 innings of hitless relief.
Reading starter Mark Leiter Jr. (1-4, 4.66 ERA) made his sixth start of the season for the Fightin Phils. Leiter, who was also on an extended rest, gave up three runs in five innings of work including a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single from Brandon Snyder and David Freitas sacrifice fly.
The Baysox bullpen has really struggled during the stretch where the team has lost 9 of 13 games entering tonight. The Baysox would continue that trend during the sixth and seventh innings of Monday’s game as reliever Kenn Kasparek and Marcel Prado surrendered a combined four runs. Kasparek allowed a sacrifice fly by Kelly Dugan making it 5-3 in the sixth inning. Already having two RBI singles in the game, Knapp continued his stellar game and opened the door with a two-run double making it 7-3 against Prado in the seventh inning. Pointer continued to add to the lead with an RBI double making it 8-3 to close out the seventh.
Latimore, acting like his 2015 All-Star self, hit his second home run of the game cutting the Reading lead to only 8-5 in the seventh inning. Latimore’s multi-home run game was the first of the season for the Baysox. Bowie was unable to overcome the 8-5 deficit and Stephen Shackleford shut the door earning his 21st save of the season. The Baysox look to rebound tomorrow behind reliable starter RHP Elih Villanueva who is 7-6 on the year with a 2.63 ERA.
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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