The Bowie Baysox got off to a hot start, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning Saturday night on the road against the Harrisburg Senators. The two runs proved to be enough as the Baysox held off the Senators for the rest of the game and earned the 2-0 win.
With two outs in the top of the first inning, third baseman Brandon Waring hit a two RBI single that would provide the only runs scored in the game. Despite stranding 13 runners, the Baysox pitching and defense was up to the task in protecting the shutout started by right-handed starting pitcher Steve Johnson.
Johnson pitched four innings and allowed only one hit while striking out five, though he did also issue four walks. The Baysox were successful getting on base throughout the game, but encountered difficulty converting baserunners into runs. The team had seven hits and drew eight walks during the game, but after the first inning, were unable to produce any more runs.
Center fielder Xavier Avery opened the game with a strikeout, but second baseman Greg Miclat followed with a single off Senators starting pitcher Ryan Tatusko. First baseman Joe Mahoney then hit a double to right field that advanced Miclat to third base. After a strikeout by left fielder Robbie Widlansky, Waring hit a single to center field, providing the Baysox with their first two runs of the season. Catcher Steve Lerud ended the inning with a line drive out to third base.
Right-handed pitcher Eddie Gamboa, who is scheduled to start for the Baysox on Tuesday, entered for Johnson in the fifth inning and retired the side in three batters. Josh Johnson reached first base on a fielding error by Mahoney, but was picked off by Gamboa for the first out of the inning. Gamboa was awarded the win after Johnson failed to pitch the minimum five innings to qualify for a win.
The Senators best chance to score came in the sixth inning with right-handed pitcher Raul Rivero on the mound. Derek Norris hit an infield single to start the inning and stole second on the pitch that struck out Tyler Moore. Buck Coats grounded out to third base, and Rivero hit Bill Rhinehart with a pitch, putting runners on first and second. With two outs and two on, Tim Pahuta hit a hard line drive to left field, but Widlansky was able to corral it at the warning track to end the inning with no runs allowed.
Rivero pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Right-handed reliever Brandon Cooney followed in the eighth inning and retired the first batter before issuing a walk. After striking out the next batter, he was replaced by left-handed reliever Pedro Viola, who would retire the final batter to end the inning. Right-handed reliever Jose Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save and close out the win for the Baysox.
In two games, the Baysox have now struck out 28 times, but not all hitters struggled from the plate tonight. Shortstop Pedro Florimon and Miclat both recorded multi-hit games, the first two of the season for Bowie. Florimon has not struck out this season, and is currently batting .429. Miclat recovered from a tough outing Thursday with three hits, including a triple, and a run.
The Baysox open their first home stand at Prince George’s Stadium Thursday, April 14, at 7:05 p.m. Friday, April 15, is Outdoorsman Night at the stadium, and Saturday is Betty White Tribute Night with postgame fireworks.
