A Marcus Wilson three-run home run capped a four-run ninth inning to help the Portland Sea Dogs stun the Bowie Baysox, 7-6, in front of 7,924 at Prince George’s Stadium Friday night.
Portland (21-21) opened the scoring in the first inning by sending all nine batters to the plate, taking a 3-0 lead via a two-run Wilson single and a Jeremy Rivera hit-by-pitch. Francisco Jimenez replaced starter Michael Baumann and kept the hosts in the game by tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings and setting a new season high with six strikeouts.
Steven Klimek continued the strong bullpen effort by striking out four Sea Dogs in two innings, while Luis Gonzalez struck out the side in his last inning of work. Cristian Alvarado’s three strikeouts in the ninth inning brought the bullpen’s total to 13 of the overall 14.
Bowie (29-12) woke up offensively in the fifth inning, pulling a run back to make it a 3-1 ball game. T.J. Nichting lined a two-out single through the vacated shortstop position to plate Jesmuel Valentin, who led off the inning with a bloop single to center field. The RBI marked the first for the right fielder since July 21 vs. Altoona.
The hosts fought back and tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. Following a leadoff Valentin walk, Preston Palmeiro lined a single to Marcus Wilson in right field. A misplay by the outfielder allowed Valentin to score his second run of the night. Two batters later, Ryan Ripken grounded a game-tying RBI single to second baseman Brett Netzer, plating Palmeiro.
Bowie took their first lead of the contest with three runs in the eighth inning. A bunt single, a hit-by-pitch and a comeback single loaded the bases for Palmeiro, who fought back from an 0-2 count to draw a go-ahead walk. Nichting took the ensuing pitch and drove in a pair of runs on a single to right field to give the No. 8 batter three RBI in the game.
The Baysox and Sea Dogs continue their three-game weekend series Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Tyler Herb (1-2, 7.71) makes his first Double-A home start since April 15 against Portland RHP Denyi Reyes (6-9, 3.77).
Saturday is the 2019 Touch-a-Truck Event in the stadium parking lot, featuring dozens of interactive vehicles. The first 500 kids (ages 3-12) also will receive a Baysox backpack, courtesy of Miss Utility. Fireworks wrap up the evening’s festivities.
