The Baysox offense came alive with 12 hits as they topped the Aeros at home 9-1 Monday night. With the win, the Baysox improved to 70-57 on the season, but they remain in second place in the Western Division and a half game behind Harrisburg.
As a team, the Baysox lineup recorded hits from from top-to-bottom and were very dangerous with two outs as four of their seven RBIs came with two outs. Bowie’s offense had been struggling during their recent road trip, but turned things around with nine runs Monday.
“Two outs hits are tough – they don’t grow on trees, but we did a good job with guys in scoring position and got some big RBIs with two outs,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “It was nice to see guys throw hits out throughout the lineup. We hadn’t been hitting as a lineup 1-through-9 and it was nice to see it spread throughout because that’s what you need to do to put some games behind you.”
Right-handed starting pitcher Oliver Drake pitched five innings and allowed just one unearned run while striking out two for his second win of the season with the Baysox.
“I threw a lot of pitches through five innings, but I was able to work out of jams and the outfield tracked down some balls for me that helped out,” Drake said. “I just really battled to make my pitches when I needed to. I was falling behind and I struggled with the command of some of my off-speed pitches, but fortunately when I needed to throw off-speed pitches in some of those jams, I was able to get some outs.”
The Baysox struck first in the second inning against Akron starter TJ McFarland. With one out, designated hitter Brandon Waring doubled to left field and then with two outs, shortstop Pedro Florimon walked to put two runners on. Welty followed with a double into the gap in left-center field that knocked in both runners and gave the Baysox a 2-0 lead.
The Aeros got on the board in the top of the fourth inning against Drake. John Drennen drew a lead off walk and then Kyle Bellows reached on a two base error by third baseman Buck Britton to put runners at second and third. Raul Padron hit an RBI ground out to first that made the score 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Baysox added two insurance runs. With two outs in the inning, Waring and catcher Caleb Joseph hit back-to-back singles to knock McFarland out of the game. Reliever Bryce Stowell then entered the game and allowed back-to-back RBI singles to Florimon and Welty that extended the Baysox lead to 4-1.
The Baysox tacked on four more runs in the seventh inning against Akron reliever Rob Bryson. Second baseman Greg Miclat led off with a double to right field and scored on a wild pitch and throwing error by the Aeros catcher Chun Chen. Britton then drew a walk and came around to score on a double to center field by left fielder L.J. Hoes that was misplayed by center fielder Jordan Henry. First baseman Joe Mahoney then capped the scoring in the inning with a two-run home run to left field to give the Baysox an 8-1 lead.
In the eighth inning, the Baysox added another run. They loaded the bases with no one out on singles by Welty and Miclat and a walk to center fielder Xavier Avery. With one out, Hoes grounded out to first, but Avery scored on the play to make the score 9-1.
Right-handed reliever Armando Gabino pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Drake and struck out two while not allowing a hit. Gabino has pitched two or more innings in his last three outings and allowed just one unearned run. Right-handed reliever Pat Egan pitched a perfect ninth inning to finish the game for the Baysox.
“Gabino has been solid since he has been here,” Kendall said. “He has been a multiple inning guy – a guy that can go out there and get three good innings and he certainly had it tonight.”
In his second game after being removed from the Disabled List, right fielder Ronnie Welty recorded three hits and drove in three runs from the ninth spot in the batting order.
“It’s nice to have Ronnie Welty as our number nine hitter because he gives us some consistency down there,” said Hitting Coach Denny Hocking. “More importantly, he makes our defense a lot better. He took some good swings tonight and got in a lot of hitters counts. They had McFarland out there who likes to throw the ball just off the plate and Ronnie didn’t chase any pitches tonight and he was rewarded for it.”
Tuesday, RHP Bobby Bundy (1-2, 9.90) takes the mound as the Baysox take on the Akron Aeros. His opponent will be RHP Austin Adams (9-10, 3.99).
The Baysox are home through Wednesday, August 24 for a three game homestand that includes Tailgate Tuesday, August 23 and Baysox for a Buck Night Wednesday, August 24.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is nearly over at Prince George’s Stadium. Parking and game programs are free at every Baysox home game. To purchase Baysox single game tickets and check out all the exciting promotions, visit www.baysox.com or call the Baysox Box Office at (301) 464-4865.
