The Baysox continued their offensive surge to beat the Erie SeaWolves 8-5, despite setting a new season high with 14 strikeouts. The Bowie offense, led by Manny Machado, struck early and often to improve their record to 33-37 on the year.
Machado led the way with three hits, and a season-high four RBIs. Josh Barfield also registered three hits, his highest total of the season, while also scoring two runs.
The SeaWolves could not respond after the Baysox established an early lead in the top of the first inning. The Baysox scored half of their runs off of two out RBIs coming from Zealous Wheeler, Jonathan Schoop, Machado, and Robbie Widlansky. These daggers proved to be too much for the SeaWolves, who could not overcome the lead the Bowie offense had built, despite numerous opportunities. The Baysox held the SeaWolves to three hits in thirteen opportunities with runners in scoring position.
The Baysox jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first off of the SeaWolves’ starting pitcher, Ramon Garcia. After loading the bases with second baseman Jonathan Schoop reaching on an error and singles by right fielder Josh Barfield and designated hitter Robbie Widlansky, shortstop Manny Machado drove in Schoop and Barfield with a single up the middle to give the Baysox a 2-0 lead. Third baseman Zealous Wheeler then drove in Widlansky with a double to left field to add another run to their early lead, making the score 3-0.
The SeaWolves bounced back in the bottom of the first off of Baysox starter Sean Gleason. Shortstop Niuman Romero, second baseman Corey Jones, and third baseman Nick Castellanos started the inning with three consecutive singles, but they only managed to scratch across one run when Romero scored on a fielder’s choice by left fielder Rawley Bishop to make the score 3-1.
The Baysox answered right back in the top of the second by adding a run off of a solo homerun to right field by Schoop, his fourth of the season. This extended the Baysox lead back to three, by a score of 4-1.
Bowie continued their hot start with a solo homerun in the top of the third by Machado, his fourth of the year, making the score 5-1.
The Baysox scored for the fourth straight inning in the top of the fourth off of Michael Morrison, a right handed reliever for the SeaWolves. Barfield doubled with one out and Machado drove him in with a single up the middle for his fourth RBI of the day, which further extended Bowie’s lead to 6-1.
The SeaWolves got back on the board in the bottom of the fourth when first baseman Jordan Lennerton hit a solo homerun to lead off the inning, his 13th of the year. The rally continued when Bishop singled and was followed by an RBI triple by right fielder Tony Plagman. Catcher Luis Alberto Sanz then singled to score Plagman with two outs, shrinking the Bowie lead to 6-4.
The bats for both teams were quiet until the bottom of the seventh when the SeaWolves struck again. Romero led off the inning with a double and eventually scored on a Castellanos single, which further shrunk the Baysox lead to 6-5. Both hits came off of Baysox reliever Pat Egan.
The Baysox responded in the top of the eighth after Antoan Richardson reached on a bunt single and Schoop followed with a walk. Widlansky then singled to score Richardson, stretching the Baysox lead to 7-5.
In the top of the ninth, the Baysox added another insurance run by way of a solo homerun from Allan de San Miguel, his fourth of the year, extending their lead to 8-5.
Sean Gleason got the win pitching 5 innings while allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk. His record is now improved to 2-1 on the season. Pat Egan and Pedro Viola both got holds. Egan threw 1 1/3 innings while allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and Viola threw 2/3 of an inning, striking out 1, walking 1 and allowing no hits. Greg Burke threw two innings to get the save for Bowie. He allowed no hits and this save increases his league-leading total to 14 for the season.
Starting pitcher Ramon Garcia got the loss for the SeaWolves. Garcia threw 3 innings, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. This loss took his record to 5-6 on the year.
The team begins a five game series with the Reading Phillies Friday. RHP Tim Bascom (3-5, 4.25) is scheduled to start against RHP Julio Rodriguez (4-1, 2.81).
The Baysox return home on Friday June 22 for a five-game series against the Reading Phillies. The series will include fireworks, the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo and a doubleheader on Saturday night.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season 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.
