In a game where high winds made every fly ball unpredictable, The Akron Aeros rallied from a six-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 10-9 with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 37-37 on the season.
The Baysox had their best offensive game of the season, but it wasn’t enough as the Aeros scored 10 runs from the sixth inning on to win the game. Eleven of Akron’s 13 hits came in the final four innings as they mounted their comeback. It was the second time this season the Baysox have lost a game when leading after the seventh inning.
A night after setting season-highs with five doubles and six extra-base hits, the Baysox recorded new season highs with seven doubles and 11 extra-base hits in Monday’s win. The Baysox also tied a season-high with three home runs and 15 hits in the game. Eleven of the Baysox 15 hits in the game went for extra-bases.
Shortstop Pedro Florimon led the way with two doubles and a home run as the Baysox bats were alive against Akron. Florimon drove in a team-high three runs and it was his first three-RBI game of the season.
The Baysox jumped out to an early lead with a run in the second inning against Packer. Catcher Caleb Joseph hit a lead off double to right field and moved to third when designated hitter Robbie Widlansky grounded out. With two outs, Florimon plated Joseph with a double to left field to give the Baysox a 1-0 lead.
Bowie added to their lead in the third inning when center fielder Xavier Avery hit his second home run of the season to center field to put the Baysox up 2-0.
The Baysox continued to extend their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a lead off double to right field and second baseman Greg Miclat followed with a single to shortstop that moved Welty to third base. Miclat went to second on the play after a missed catch error by third baseman Kyle Bellows. Left fielder LJ Hoes scored Welty when he grounded out to the pitcher to make the score 3-0.
Third baseman Brandon Waring hit the Baysox second home run of the game in the top of the sixth inning to put the Baysox up 5-0. With one out, Widlansky singled to left field before Waring hit his bomb to center field. After Florimon hit his second double of the game, Paolo Espino replaced Packer on the mound to finish the inning.
The Aeros battled back in the bottom of the sixth inning against right-handed starter Tim Bascom. Nick Weglarz drew a lead off walk and scored when Kyle Bellows singled to center field. Bellows advanced to third on the play after a fielding error by Avery. Right-handed reliever Wynn Pelzer then replaced Bascom and the first batter he faced, Donnie Webb, singled to center field to plate Bellows and make the score 5-2.
Akron continued their comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning. Pelzer struck out the first two batters but then walked three straight batters to load the bases before being replaced by right-handed reliever Brandon Cooney, who was making his first appearance with the Baysox since being placed on the Disabled List May 7. Juan Diaz pinch-hit for Apodaca and singled to left field to score Weglarz and keep the bases loaded. Cooney retired Cristo Arnal to end the inning, but not before the Aeros had pulled to within two at 5-3.
The Baysox responded with four runs in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Widlansky doubled to center field and with two outs, Florimon hit a home run to right field. The two out rally continued when Welty tripled to center field before Matt Langwell replaced Espino on the mound for the Aeros. Avery plated Welty with a double to left field and scored when Miclat singled to left field to put the Baysox back up 9-3.
The Aeros came storming back with six runs to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. Jordan Henry hit a lead off single to second base and Cooney walked the next two batters to load the bases before right-handed reliever Raul Rivero took the mound for Bowie. Matt McBride doubled to left field drive in two runs and move Beau Mills to third where they both scored when Weglarz doubled to center field. Bellows then singled to second base and pinch-runner Ben Copeland replaced Weglarz on second base. Webb singled on a bunt to the pitcher to load the bases and Juan Diaz followed with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Copeland. A fielding error by Hoes on the play allowed Bellows to score and Diaz to reach first safely, making the score 9-9. Right-handed reliever Armando Gabino replaced Rivero on the mound and recorded all three outs to end the inning before any more damage could be done.
Akron completed the unlikely come back with one more run in the bottom of the ninth inning. McBride hit a lead off double to left field and with one out and moved to third on a single to right field by Bellows. Webb drove in the winning run with a single to left field.
Bascom pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking five though he did not factor into the decision. Pelzer pitched one and two-thirds innings and allowed one run on one hit while striking out four and walking four batters. Cooney pitched just one-third of an inning and allowed three runs on two hits while walking two. Rivero pitched to five batters in the eighth inning though he did not record an out while allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Gabino pitched one and one-third innings and allowed one run on three hits as he earned his first loss with the Baysox this season.
Baysox pitchers also set a new season-high in the game as they walked 12 batters, topping the previous mark of eight. However, Bowie’s pitchers were also able to get out of several jams as they forced Akron to leave 17 runners on base. Akron left the bases loaded in both the seventh and eighth innings.
After going through a stretch where he hit five home runs in six games, Waring was on a nine-game home run drought before hitting his tenth of the season Monday to pass Welty for the team lead.
Tuesday, LHP Rick Zagone (2-6, 4.95) takes the mound for the Baysox as take on the Akron Aeros. His opponent will be RHP Austin Adams (5-7, 4.02).
The team began a seven-game road trip Monday, June 27 and returns home Monday, July 4 for a four game home stand that features their Independence Day Celebration.
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.
