Ryan Mountcastle and Aderlin Rodriguez launched solo home runs, but the Altoona Curve defeated the Bowie Baysox Wednesday afternoon, 5-3, in front of 4,440 at People’s Natural Gas Field.
Having clinched the three-game series by earning wins in the first two games, the Baysox (43-52) jumped out to a quick lead in the series finale. A Jaycob Brugman double, a Corban Joseph walk, and a Mountcastle single loaded the bases for the Baysox during their first at bats. Anthony Santander grounded into a double play, scoring Brugman and giving Bowie a 1-0 lead.
Altoona (49-43) answered with five runs over the first two innings, but Bowie responded in the third inning. With two outs, Mountcastle destroyed a home run to left field to cut the deficit to 5-2. Mountcastle homered for the second straight game after returning from the 2018 Futures Game Sunday. One inning later, Rodriguez hit his team-leading 13th home run to center field and tied Corban Joseph with 47 RBIs in 2018.
Christian Binford took the loss to fall to 1-4, but threw a season-high eight innings and held Altoona scoreless from the third inning on. The eight-inning outing also tied Binford’s career high, which he matched twice prior to joining the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason. Of the 10 Curve hits, only three came after the third inning.
The Baysox will return home tomorrow, July 19, against the Erie SeaWolves with starting pitcher Reid Love. The Baysox will honor the victims and families affected in the Capital Gazette tragedy that occurred on June 28, 2018. Also, partnered with BUSH’S and the Capital Area Food Bank, non-perishable items will be accepted at the stadium during the month of July.
