The Baysox (67-64) blew a five run lead only to come back and win on a two-out Caleb Joseph walk-off walk in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a 7-6 victory over New Britain (60-72) Friday. With the win, the Baysox move to 1.5 games behind Harrisburg for the Western Division Wild Card spot.
“They outhit us tonight, to their credit,” said Manager Gary Kendall. “All game they had us on the ropes and it was really just a matter of time before they caught up. We were fortunate, we had the right guys up there – the middle of our order – and we got a walk to pull it out.”
Baysox starter Mike Wright pitched six innings and allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out five and walking one in the no decision.
The Baysox struck first in the bottom of the third inning against New Britain starter D.J. Baxendale. Shortstop Niuman Romero hit a lead off double to left field and third baseman Brandon Waring followed with a walk. Both runners advanced on a Garabez Rosa sacrifice bunt and center fielder Trayvon Robinson plated both runners with a two-out single to left field to make the score 2-0.
Bowie added to the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with the help of some sloppy New Britain defense. With one out, right fielder Lew Ford was hit by a pitch and moved to second base on a wild pitch before going to third base on a Seth Loman single to center field. Romero then reached on a throwing error by the pitcher that plated Ford and Loman was able to score from first base during the play after a throwing error on the second baseman to give the Baysox a 4-0 lead.
New Britain got one run back in the top of the fifth inning against Wright. Kyle Knudson hit a one out single to right field and moved to second base on a single to left field by Danny Santana. Edwin Rosario brought Knudson home with a double to right field to make the score 4-1. Wright was able to strike out the next two batters to get out of the jam.
The Baysox scored two more in the bottom half of the inning to extend the lead to 6-1. Left fielder Kyle Hudson hit a lead off single to center field and stole second base before scoring on a Buck Britton single to right field. Catcher Caleb Joseph followed with a double to left field to bring home the second run of the inning.
Danny Ortiz led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to right field to give the Rock Cats a run and cut the Baysox lead to 6-2.
Facing Baysox reliever Matt Bischoff in the top of the seventh, Rosario chipped away at the Baysox lead with a solo home run to right field to make the score 6-3.
The Rock Cats came storming back to tie the game 6-6 in the top of the eighth inning. Bischoff surrendered a pair of singles and walked a batter to load the bases with no outs and Jordan Parraz then singled to bring home one run. With one out and the bases loaded, Chris Petrini replaced Bischoff on the mound and surrendered a two-out two-run single to Rosario that tied the game.
The Baysox secured the walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth against New Britain reliever Matt Hauser. Waring drew a lead off walk and moved to second base on a Rosa sacrifice bunt before reliever Ryan O’Rourke replaced Hauser on the mound. Hauser walked Hudson and Waring then moved to third base on a wild pitch causing O’Rourke to intentionally walk Robinson to load the bases. With two outs, Dakota Watts came in to pitch for New Britain and walked Joseph to bring in the winning run.
Bischoff pitched one and one-third innings and allowed four runs on four hits while striking out two and walking one. Petrini pitched the final one and two-thirds innings for the Baysox, allowing one hit while striking out two and walking one in the win.
Hauser took the loss for the Rock Cats, pitching one and one-third innings and allowing one run on one hit while striking out one and walking one.
LHP Jake Pettit (6-5, 4.69) takes the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as the team plays the third game in a four game home series with the New Britain Rock Cats.
The Baysox are home through Thursday, Aug. 29 for the final eight game home stand of the season against New Britain and Binghamton. Highlights include Kids Appreciation Night Saturday, Aug. 24 beginning at 6:35 p.m. and Fan Appreciation Day Sunday, Aug. 25 beginning at 2:05 p.m.
Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 2013 season and 20th season of baseball at Prince George’s Stadium is winding down. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.
