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Bowie Baysox

Tanaka Trounces Defenders

July 29, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Bowie Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - The Baysox jumped on Connecticut with a four-run first inning and Ryohei Tanaka earned his first professional win, beating the Defenders 6-2. Designated hitter Paco Figueroa went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Connecticut sent four position players to the mound in the loss. The win improves the Baysox to 57-47, 6.5 games behind Akron in the Southern Division.

Tanaka allowed two earned runs on five hits over 7.0 innings, walking one and striking out seven. It was the longest outing of his young career, and kept his pitch count under control by staying ahead of hitters with off-speed pitches early in the count while having good command of his fastball. Baysox Pitching Coach Larry McCall said Tanaka is getting better every time he steps on the mound and got better as the game went on tonight thanks to his fastball.

"I thought his fastball command improved as the game wore on," McCall said. "His breaking ball was always consistent and he threw a lot of them early in the count."

Connecticut's scheduled starting pitcher was right-hander Tim Alderson, but he was a late scratch after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Right-hander Garrett Broshuis started in Alderson's place, taking the mound after throwing 4.0 innings of work three days earlier against New Britain. Broshuis was unable to get out of the first inning as the Baysox tagged him for four runs. Center fielder Danny Figueroa was hit by a pitch, and second baseman Miguel Abreu singled to put runners on first and second. First baseman Eric Crozier singled to load the bases, and Paco Figueroa brought home two runs with a single into center field. One batter later, catcher Adam Donachie drew a free pass to reload the bases against Broshuis. Shortstop Robert Valido drove a single into center field, scoring two more runs and giving the Baysox a 4-0 lead. That ended the night for Broshuis, who was replaced by reserve outfielder Bobby Felmy. The left-handed Felmy walked third baseman Jason White to load the bases again, but left fielder Jonathan Tucker grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Connecticut came back to score two runs in the top of the third inning off Tanaka, as Sharlon Schoop led off with his second home run of the season. Brock Bond reached on an infield single with one out, advancing to second on a groundout by Brad Boyer for the second out of the inning. Brett Pill brought home Bond with a single up the middle, as the Defenders cut the score to 4-2. Adam Witter followed with a shot down the line, but Crozier made a nice scoop to rob him of extra bases. It was one of a few nice plays by the Baysox first baseman on the night, who said his defense has always been something he takes very seriously.

"I've been fortunate to have a number of great instructors over the years," Crozier said. "I love playing it, it's so much fun to be out there."

In desperate need of pitching after using eight different pitchers last night, Connecticut skipper Steve Decker went back to his bench in the sixth inning. Backup catcher Tyler LaTorre came on for the Defenders, and the Baysox took advantage. White drew a walk to start the inning, advancing to second on an infield single by Tucker. A walk to Danny Figueroa loaded the bases, and Crozier brought home the Baysox fifth run on a sacrifice fly to left field.

After outfielder Mike Mooney sent the Baysox down 1-2-3 in the seventh inning, the Baysox tallied a single run in the eighth as designated hitter Adam Witter tried his hand on the rubber. Tucker led off the inning with a single, advancing to second on his team-leading 28th stolen base of the season. Danny Figueroa followed with a shot deep into the gap in left-center field, scoring Tucker and giving Figueroa his 14th RBI of the season.

Despite touching up the Connecticut position players for two runs, many of the Baysox players struggled to make good contact as the Defenders continued to throw their timing off with lower velocity.

"The last guy was definitely the toughest," Crozier said of Connecticut catcher Adam Witter. "There is no technique involved it's just rearing back to throw and it's sometimes tough to get your timing down."

Right-hander Chris Ray pitched a scoreless eighth inning, his third scoreless appearance since joining the Baysox on a major league rehab from Baltimore. Jim Hoey pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out one and lowering his ERA to 3.25 on the season.

"It's good to go out there and close games out for the team, especially when we win," said Hoey.

The two teams close out the series tomorrow as RHP Brandon Erbe (2-3, 2.45) takes the mound against LHP Jesse English (7-6, 3.52) at 11:05 a.m.

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is going strong! Check out www.baysox.com to see all that's going on at the stadium this year, and don't miss a moment of the action as the Baysox attempt to bring home their first Eastern League championship. Individual game tickets and ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

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