Having seen a six-run lead dissipate, Aderlin Rodriguez took things into his own hands on Tuesday evening in Reading. He turned a double play to end the eighth inning and then lead off the ninth inning with a line drive home run to left lifting Bowie to a dramatic 7-6 win.
Prior to Rodriguez’s sixth home run of the year, the momentum was squarely with Reading prior. The Baysox had seen a 6-0 lead whittle away as Reading tied the game at 6-apiece in the seventh inning. There was still a bases loaded jam with only one out to encounter.
Garrett Cleavinger battled from 3-0 down in the count for a huge strikeout of Reading’s Mitch Walding for the second out. And after Bobby Bundy entered to face pinch-hitter Jiandido Tromp, a ball that scooted away from catcher Yermin Mercedes turned into a big out at the plate keeping Bowie tied at 6-apiece.
The Baysox had brought the minimum nine hitters to the plate in the first three innings. They would bring ten to the plate in the fourth inning alone. DJ Stewart led off the frame with a walk in a seven pitch at-bat, followed by singles by Adrian Marin and Austin Wynns. Garabez Rosa then hit a line drive to center field that was dropped and the flood gates were open. All-in-all, six runs scored in the frame.
Bobby Bundy got the win working 1 and 1/3rd inning of relief. Tim Berry worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save of the season. Erick Salcedo was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI’s in the game.
The series concludes with the rubber match Wednesday, May 10th at 11:35 a.m. with John Means getting the start for the Baysox. Coverage begins 20-minutes before first pitch on baysox.com, wnav.com and via the MILB, Tune-In Radio and WNAV Apps.
Bowie returns home for a weekend four-game series with Richmond Thursday, May 11th at 6:35 p.m. Fireworks will follow the May 12th and 13th games. Get your tickets at 301-805-6000 or online at baysox.com.
