On a wet and cold Tuesday night at Prince George’s Stadium, the Fightin Phils handed the Baysox their fourth straight loss, 9-1. This was the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2015 Eastern League Championship Series that the Baysox won in five games.
After a scoreless first inning, the Fightin Phils struck first in the top of the second inning. Rhys Hoskins hit a lead-off single to second base against Baysox starter pitcher Parker Bridwell. KC Serna followed with a one out double. The bases became loaded as Aaron Brown walked. A Jesmuel Valentin sacrifice to right field plated the only lone run of the inning to give the Fightin Phils a 1-0 lead.
In the next half inning the Baysox went down 1-2-3 for the second time in a row. Reading took advantage and scored another run on a Jorge Alfaro solo home run to center field to give Reading a 2-0 lead.
The Fightin Phils blew the game open in the top of the fourth inning. Jake Fox hit a lead-off solo home run to left field on a 2-2 pitch. With one out and a runner on first base, Valentin doubled to center field to bring home a second run. Roman Quinn followed with a bunt single to put runners on at the corners. After a stolen base, J.P. Crawford singled to left field to plate a pair of runs before reliever Bobby Bundy replaced Bridwell on the mound. With two outs, Dylan Cozens doubled to center field to bring home the fifth run of the inning and give Reading a 7-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, for the fourth consecutive inning, Reading would once again put runs on the board. Serna hit a lead-off double to left field and advanced to third base on a groundout. Valentin walked but was forced out at second when Quinn reached on a RBI fielder’s choice. Crawford followed with an RBI double to center field to extend the Reading lead to 9-0.
In their final at bats, the Baysox were finally able to break the shutout and get on the scoreboard. Glynn Davis hit a lead-off double to center field off Reading reliever Joely Rodriguez. Julio Borbon walked but was forced out at second base when Jeff Kemp reached on a fielder’s choice that moved Davis to third base. Chance Sisco brought Davis home with a sacrifice fly to make the final score 9-1.
Bridwell threw 3.1 innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits while striking out two and walking two in the loss. Bundy threw 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one. Reliever Stefan Crichton pitched a scoreless sixth inning, allowing one hit and striking out two batters. Reliever Genison Reyes continued the trend by pitching a scoreless seventh inning for the Baysox and Jon Keller followed with a scoreless eighth inning. Eric Fornataro was the sixth pitcher of the night for the Baysox and he struck out the side while allowing two hits in the ninth inning.
Reading starter Nick Pivetta threw seven shutout innings in the win, allowing just two hits while striking out six and walking one.
The Baysox are home for a short three-game series against the Reading Fightin Phils. Tomorrow is Orange Wednesday and fans who sport their Orioles or Baysox gear will receive a half-price box seat ticket at the ticket office on game day. LHP Chris Lee (5-0, 2.41) will pitch for the Baysox against RHP Ricardo Pinto (1-1, 3.12).
The 2016 Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox 2016 season is underway. Don’t miss a minute of the action as the Baysox defend their 2015 Eastern League Championship. Single game tickets are now on sale at www.baysox.com.
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