March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 39 F

Sea Dogs Skid Past Bowie

Despite leading 6-5 entering the top of the ninth inning, the Baysox allowed the Portland Sea Dogs to rally, scoring three runs to take the lead en route to an 8-6 win, putting a stop to Bowie’s four-game winning streak. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 61-49 on the season.

The Baysox found themselves in an unusual situation, facing Portland starting pitcher Charlie Haeger, who is a knuckleball pitcher. Haeger lasted four innings and allowed three runs on five hits while striking out five batters and walking another five. It was the first time this season the Baysox had faced a knuckleball pitcher.

“The first at bat, he got behind and ended up trying to sneak a 3-2 fastball behind me and I just hit it up the middle and then the other one I just threw my bat at it and got a bloop single,” said second baseman Greg Miclat. “It’s tough, you don’t really know which way it is going to come in on you, or what it is going to do. Everybody on the bench was just saying, ‘if you see it up swing at it. If you see it down leave it alone.”

Wednesday’s game was a back-and-forth battle that included one tie and a pair of lead changes. Despite blowing a late lead, the team showed its resilience by battling to the last out and recording four two-out RBIs.

“There was a lot of positive out there,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “When you take a lead into the ninth inning, whether it is a one-run lead or not you have to play well and hope you make the right plays and we didn’t make pitches and didn’t make plays and we came out on the short-end of the stick, but you know it’s baseball. It’s disappointing to lose one like that in the ninth.”

The Sea Dogs jumped out to the early lead in the top of the first inning against right-handed starting pitcher Tim Bascom. With two outs, Mark Wagner and Will Middlebrooks hit back-to-back singles and Matt Spring knocked in the first runs of the game on a two-run double to right field that made the score 2-0.

Middlebrooks added to the lead with a solo home run to right field in the third inning that increased the Sea Dogs lead, 3-0.

The Baysox got on the board in the bottom of the third inning against Haeger. With runners at first and second base and two outs, first baseman Joe Mahoney and catcher Caleb Joseph hit back-to-back RBI singles to cut the lead to 3-2.

In the fourth inning, the Baysox evened game. With one out, Miclat singled to right field and then stole second and third base. Shortstop Cesar Izturis hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Miclat and tied the game 3-3.

With two outs in the sixth inning, the Sea Dogs retook the lead on a two-run single by Mitch Dening that put Portland up 5-3.

In the sixth inning, the Baysox took their first lead of the game. Third baseman Brandon Waring drew a leadoff walk and with two outs, center fielder Xavier Avery and Izturis drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. With left fielder L.J. Hoes batting, reliever Caleb Clay threw a wild pitch that allowed Waring to score. Then Hoes hit a two-run double down the left field line that gave the Baysox a 6-5 lead.

The Sea Dogs rallied in the top of the ninth inning against right-handed reliever Brandon Cooney. With one out, Ryan Dent drew a walk and Jeremy Hazelbaker singled to right-center field. Alex Hassan then reached on an error by Mahoney while Dent scored to tie the game. With two outs in the inning, Middlebrooks and Spring hit back-to-back RBI singles to put the Sea Dogs ahead by a score of 8-6.

Bascom pitched five and two-thirds innings and allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out five, but he did not factor into the decision. Right-handed reliever Chorye Spoone pitched two and one-third scoreless innings in relief of Bascom and allowed two hits while striking out three. Cooney was credited with a blown save and the loss as he allowed three unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Right-handed reliever Wynn Pelzer recorded the final out of the ninth inning for the Baysox.

The Baysox were extremely active on the basepaths in Wednesday’s game, especially against Haeger. The Baysox attempted to steal nine bases and tied their season-high with six successful base swipes. Miclat led the way with his first three stolen base game of the season, matching the season-high set twice by Avery.

Baysox batters set a new season-high as they drew 12 walks in Wednesday’s loss. The previous team-high was 10 walks recorded July 23 against Trenton. Five Baysox batters walked in the sixth inning, leading to three runs being scored.

Thursday, RHP Oliver Drake (1-3, 8.26) takes the mound for the Baysox as they finish their season series with the Portland Sea Dogs. His opponent will be RHP Brock Huntzinger (5-9, 6.88).

The Baysox are back home for seven games starting Tuesday, August 2. The seven-game home stand includes Navy Night Friday, August 5 and the Un-Birthday Big Birthday Bash Sunday August 7.

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 or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

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