The Bowie Baysox used a three-run second inning to jump out to an early lead against the Altoona Curve and went on to win by a score of 6-1 to improve to 44-41 on the season.
Left-handed starting pitcher Rick Zagone tossed six innings of one run ball for the Baysox and second baseman Greg Miclat led the way offensively with four hits and three runs scored.
The Baysox struck first in the top of the second inning against Curve starter Kyle McPherson. With two outs and no one on base catcher Caleb Joseph and right fielder Ronnie Welty hit back-to-back singles before Miclat knocked in the first run of the game with a single to right field. The next batter, left fielder Kyle Hudson followed that with a triple to center field that knocked in two runs and gave the Baysox a 3-0 lead.
Zagone faced the minimum through the first four innings of the ball game, but in the bottom of the fifth inning the Curve got on the board. Andrew Lambo led off with a double to center field and then Tony Sanchez singled to left field to put runners at first and third with no one out. Matt Curry then picked up the first RBI of the game for the Curve with a sacrifice fly to center field that made the score 3-1.
The Baysox answered right back in the top of the sixth inning. Miclat and Hudson started the inning with back-to-back bunt singles and then center fielder Xavier Avery moved them both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Third baseman Buck Britton then extended the Baysox lead back to three runs with a sacrifice fly to center field to make the score 4-1.
In the eighth inning, the Baysox added two more runs against Curve pitcher Aaron Thompson. Welty led off the inning with his 10th home run of the season to right field. It was also his first home run in his last 15 games which equaled a season long drought. Miclat followed him with a single to right field and then with two outs Britton hit a double down the right field line to extend the lead to 6-1.
Zagone recorded the win as he ended up going six innings and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out a season high seven batters.
Right-handed reliever Eddie Gamboa pitched the final three innings of the game for the Baysox to earn his first save of the season. He allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out one batter.
McPherson picked up the loss for Altoona, he went six innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits in the game.
Game two of the four game series will take place tomorrow with a scheduled 7:00 p.m. first pitch. The Baysox will send righty Zach Clark (5-7, 5.11) to the mound to face the Curve’s left handed starter, Jeff Locke (5-8, 4.57).
The Baysox beain a four-game road trip to Altoona, Pa., Friday, July 8 before the All-Star break Tuesday, July 12. Bowie is back home Thursday, July 14 for a four game home stand against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
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.
