A two-run third for Akron proved costly as the Bowie Baysox (10-10) dropped a 6-1 decision to the RubberDucks (9-11) on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie.
LHP Zach Britton (0.2 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, K) made a major league rehab appearance for the Baysox as the two-time American League All-Star recovers from a left forearm strain.
Akron grabbed a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the afore-mentioned third as Eric Stamets led off with an infield single, advanced to second on a groundout, to third on a single and scored on the throw from Baysox RFGarabez Rosa. Bobby Bradley also plated a run in the inning with a sac fly.
Mike Papi’s solo shot off of Baysox starter Matthew Grimes in the top of the fourth gave the RubberDucks a 3-0 lead.
Grimes (0-2) allowed three runs on four hits while walking two and fanning three over five innings of work.
RHP Cameron Hill (1-1) earned the win for the RubberDucks with four innings of scoreless innings, allowing three hits and fanning two. Hill came on in relief of injured starter Lucas Lugo just one batter into the game.
The 4.0 IP marked the longest outing for Hill since he went five on 9/1/14 with Mahoning Valley (SS-A).
RHP Cole Sulser (2.0 IP, K) got the final six outs for Akron to notch his first save of the year.
Erick Salcedo’s solo shot in the home half of the fifth got the Baysox on the board and cut the lead to 3-1. The home run was Salcedo’s first of the season and his first since 8/12/16 with Frederick (A+).
Yu Chang delivered his fifth home run of the season with a solo shot off of Britton in the sixth to stretch the RubberDucks’ lead back to 4-1.
Back-to-back homers from Francisco Mejia and Bradley off of RHP Jason Garcia (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, K) in the top of the ninth opened up a 6-1 edge for Akron.
LHP Garrett Cleavinger (1.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K) and RHP Jon Keller (1.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K) each had a scoreless outing in relief for manager Gary Kendall’s squad.
DJ Stewart (2-4) had a multi-hit game for the Baysox.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. as RHP Brandon Barker (1-1, 4.26) will be on the bump for Bowie against Akron RHP D.J. Brown (0-0, 4.73).
