March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 41 F

Baysox Overcome SeaWolves Comeback

Right-handed starting pitcher Rick Zagone threw five and two-thirds innings and struck out six in 7-6 win after lasting only three and one-third innings and allowing eight earned runs on seven hits in his last start against Erie. The win brings the Baysox back to .500 at 7-7.

The Baysox offense got back on track after three games against Akron where they struggled to score runs. The last time Bowie scored more than three runs was Sunday 4/17 in the first game of a doubleheader against Erie. In the first four innings against Erie, the Baysox scored as many runs as they did in the entire Akron series.

Bowie got off to a quick start in the first inning when designated hitter Jeff Fiorentino hit a single to center field after leadoff hitter and center fielder Xavier Avery struck out. Third baseman Brandon Waring was then hit by a pitch and a double by first baseman Robbie Widlansky scored both runners. Right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a single on a line drive to center field and the bases were loaded after catcher Caleb Joseph drew a walk. Shortstop Pedro Florimon grounded into a force out that eliminated Joseph at second, but also plated Widlansky to give the Baysox an early 3-0 lead. The inning ended when second baseman Greg Miclat grounded out.

The Baysox kept up the pressure in the second inning when Avery drew a walk after left fielder Miguel Abreu started the inning by grounding out to Erie pitcher Luke Putkonen. With Fiorentino batting, Avery stole his 11th base of the season and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Bryan Holaday. Fiorentino then hit a fly ball single to single to center field that would score Avery to put Bowie up 4-0. Up next was Waring, who grounded up, but advanced Fiorentino to second. Widlansky hit a line drive single to center field, but center fielder Jamie Johnson threw out Fiorentino at home plate to end the inning.

After throwing two perfect innings to start the game, Zagone gave up his first hit and run in the bottom of the third inning. Zagone started the inning by striking out Francisco Martinez, but then Justin Henry hit a single to center field and Ben Guez followed that with a single to right field that moved Henry to third. Johnson grounded into a force out that got Guez at second, but also scored Henry to give the SeaWolves their first run of the game. Zagone would get out of the jam by getting Brandon Douglas to line out to Florimon.

The Baysox again extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a home run by Fiorentino, his second of the season. Miclat started the inning by flying out to center field, but Abreu then drew a walk to get on base. Avery would strike out, but with Fiorentino batting, Abreu stole second before Fiorentino hit a two-run home run to right field. That would be the last batter Putkonen would face before Rob Waite entered the game to replace him on the mound. Waring lined out to end the inning, but not before the Baysox had taken a 6-1 lead.

Widlansky hit a ground ball single to shortstop to open the fifth inning before Welty struck out. With Joseph batting, Widlansky was caught stealing second, but Joseph then drew a walk and would score when Florimon doubled to center field. The inning would end on a strikeout by Abreu, but not before the Baysox had grabbed a 7-1 lead.

The SeaWolves cut into the Baysox lead by grabbing one run back in the bottom of the fifth. Zagone got Holaday to ground out to start the inning, but then surrendered a single to Martinez before striking out Henry. Ben Guez then hit a single to left field that would score Martinez and Guez advanced to third on a throwing error by Abreu. Zagone would end the inning when Johnson grounded out with the Baysox now leading 7-2.

Erie continued its comeback with a huge sixth inning. Douglas opened the frame with a double to left field and after Michael Bertram popped out, Bryan Pounds got on base thanks to a fielding error by Pedro Florimon that also moved Douglas to third. Audy Ciriaco hit an RBI single to left field that scored Douglas and moved Pounds to second. After Zagone struck out Holaday, Martinez hit a home run to left field that cleared the bases and bring the SeaWolves back to within one run. The last batter Zagone faced, Henry, hit a single to center field and right-handed reliever Cole McCurry then entered the game in relief of Zagone. McCurry ended the inning by getting Guez to ground out with the SeaWolves now trailing 7-6.

McCurry would go on to throw two perfect innings in relief of Zagone before right-handed closer Jose Diaz recorded his fifth save by pitching a perfect ninth inning to protect the Baysox one-run lead.

Avery stole two more bases in Thursday’s game against Erie, giving him an Eastern League leading 12 on the season. The leadoff hitter, Avery has as many hits as stolen bases so far this season and is a threat to steal at least one base nearly every time he reaches first. He has only been caught stealing once.

While the Baysox offense was clicking, the defense experienced some fielding woes. The Baysox committed three errors during the game and while Erie scored six runs, only two of them were earned by Zagone because of errors committed by the defense in the sixth inning.

The team goes on the road to face Erie for three games and Akron for four before returning to Prince George’s Stadium on April 29 for a seven-game homestand.

Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com.

Previous Article

Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards Grant To Annapolis Maritime Museum For “MUDDY FEET” Program

Next Article

Regional Recap, April 22, 2011

You might be interested in …