March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 46 F

Defense Dooms Bowie

Erie scored two unearned runs on one hit and two errors in the third inning Saturday night in Bowie as they went on to beat the Baysox 4-1. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 73-66 on the season and remain in third place in the division.

Right-handed starting pitcher Eddie Gamboa pitched seven innings and allowed just two unearned runs on four hits while striking out a career-high eight batters, but was still charged with the loss as the Baysox failed to score a run while he was pitching.

“I’ve made a couple adjustments throughout the year to get to where I’m at right now and being consistent and confident has been the most important thing,” Gamboa said. “They are a really aggressive team and I felt like that worked for me tonight because they were chasing everything. We could go fastball in, change-ups, cutters and as long as they were chasing we just kept going with it.”

In his last two outings, Gamboa has pitched 13 and one-third innings and not allowed an earned run while striking out 13 batters. Gamboa’s last appearance came in relief of Armando Gabino, but he entered in the first inning of a game against Altoona where Gabino allowed four runs.

“He’s found his consistency – there were a couple starts where he had the second game of a doubleheader and he just didn’t seem comfortable in that role,” said Pitching Coach Kennie Steenstra. “He came in relief that last game and tonight he got the start and pitched fantastic. Unfortunately we made a couple errors in the one inning otherwise he probably doesn’t give up a run on the night.”

Gamboa spent almost two months on the Disabled List early in the season and since returning he has been an asset to the pitching staff as he has been able to bounce between the bullpen and the starting rotation when needed. Gamboa has made nine starts and 12 appearances out of the bullpen.

“I think his best asset is his versatility – he can start when you need him and he can pitch out of the bullpen when you need him,” Steenstra said. “You know he’s going to throw strikes every time he goes out there and that’s valuable for a manager to know that guy is going to come in and throw strikes.”

The SeaWolves took the early lead in the top of the third inning against Gamboa.  Michael Rockett and Brent Wyatt reached on back-to-back errors by third baseman Brandon Waring and first baseman Joe Mahoney.  Jamie Johnson then knocked in Rockett with an RBI double into the right field corner.  William Bergolla followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Wyatt and gave the SeaWolves a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the eighth inning, the SeaWolves added on to the lead against right-handed reliever Chorye Spoone. Jamie Johnson drew a one out walk, stole second base and moved to third when Bergolla singled to the pitcher. Brandon Douglas then reached on an infield single that scored Johnson to give Erie a three-run lead. Bryan Pounds was then hit by a pitch to load the bases and Deik Scram walked to force in a run and give the SeaWolves a 4-0 lead.

Bowie got one run back in the bottom of the ninth inning against Erie reliever Austin Wood. Catcher Caleb Joseph and Waring drew back-to-back walk and designated hitter Robbie Widlansky was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Jared Gayhart replaced Wood on the mound. Second baseman Buck Britton then popped out before right fielder Ronnie Welty drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-1. After center fielder Xavier Avery walked to load the bases again, shortstop Pedro Florimon flied out to end the game.

Spoone pitched two innings in relief of Gamboa and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two and walking two batters.

The run Spoone walked in during the eighth inning was the fourth Erie run to score this series as the result of a bases loaded walk. The SeaWolves scored three runs Friday as the result of bases loaded walks.

The Baysox offense managed just three hits in the game, but drew seven walks and were hit by two pitches. Despite having runners on base, the team struggled to score runs as they hit 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.

During the team’s recent slump where they have lost eight of 10 games, the Baysox have struggled to drive runs in. Bowie combined for three runs over the past two games, but all three came late in the game when the team was already trailing. Erie’s starting pitchers in the past two games have combined to throw 12 scoreless innings to help Erie jump out to early leads in both games.

Sunday, LHP Mike Ballard (7-3, 3.56) takes the mound for the Baysox as they take on the Erie SeaWolves. His opponent will be RHP Trevor Feeney (0-0, 5.40).

The Baysox are home through Monday, Sep. 5 for an eight game home stand to finish the regular season. Promotions during the home stand include Fan Appreciation Day Sunday, Sep. 4 and Mutt Monday for the regular season finale Monday Sep. 6

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.

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