A seven-run second inning powered the Bowie Baysox to a 7-2 victory over the Hartford Yard Goats in front of 2,153 at Prince George’s Stadium Tuesday night.
The Baysox (5-2) got to Hartford LHP Matt Whitehouse in the second inning, scoring a touchdown and tacking on the extra point to take a 7-0 lead. From the No. 9 spot in the lineup, Preston Palmeiro grounded a RBI single into right field to score T.J. Nichting with the game’s first run.
With runners on the corners, Mason McCoy reached on a throwing error by shortstop Scott Burcham to drive in Willy Yahn. One batter later, Ryan McKenna lined a RBI single to left field, plating Palmeiro and increasing the lead to 3-0.
Yusniel Diaz quickly doubled the lead with a three-run home deep into the left field woods. The team-leading sixth home run for Diaz is the fifth in his last 10 games and is the second three-run shot during his hot streak. Jesse Valentin lined a single up the middle to score Rylan Bannon for the final run of a frame that saw the Baysox send 10 batters to the plate.
Hartford (3-4) plated single runs in the fourth and fifth inning, but that was all the production against Bowie starter Zac Lowther. The lefty retired the first nine batters in order to earn his eighth win of the season, allowing four hits and striking out a trio of Goats in six innings.
Lowther’s fourth consecutive victory came during the fifth quality start for the Ohioan, and was also the fourth time this season where he has faced the same opponent in back-to-back appearances.
Hunter Harvey struck out the side on the first 13 pitches of his outing from the bullpen and cruised through three perfect innings to record his first career professional save. The righty struck out five batters in total, needing just 34 pitches (26 strikes) to achieve the feat.
The Baysox host the Yard Goats for the final time in 2019 Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. LHP Alex Wells (5-1, 1.90 ERA) squares off with RHP Heath Holder (4-2, 1.89 ERA) in a battle of pitchers with sub-2.00 ERAs. Wednesday is another Military Appreciation Night, when all members of the military (active and retired) can receive a half-priced box seat at the box office on the day of the game.
