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Baysox Drop Fifth Straight Game

May 16, 2012 - Eastern League (EL) Bowie Baysox

Bowie, Md. - For the second time this season, the Baysox (15-23) lost their fifth consecutive game as they fell 4-3 to Altoona (15-22) in 10 innings Wednesday night. With the loss, the Baysox fall to last place in the Western Division.

The Baysox were able to get a number of runners on base throughout the game as they recorded six hits and drew six walks, but they struggled to string hits together. The team left three runners in scoring position with two outs and went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

"There were some good chances - but the name of the game is we couldn't sustain anything," said Manager Gary Kendall. "I didn't think we were very sharp from the first pitch on. I didn't see a whole lot of effort running balls out and I was a little disappointed in that. Right now we just aren't playing very good baseball, but we are a lot better than we are playing."

In all three of the plays where the Baysox scored runs, the team did not record a single hit. Waring drove in a run by drawing a walk, Machado plated another run but grounded into a double play and Bumbry scored on a balk.

The defense was solid behind the Baysox pitching staff despite Altoona's lead off batter reaching base safely in five of the first six innings of the game. Third baseman Zelous Wheeler, shortstop Manny Machado, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and first baseman Brandon Waring combined to turn a season-high four double plays.

"The infield was huge; we almost got a fifth [double play] on that bunt [in the ninth inning]," Kendall said. "They really picked it up. Wheeler got charged with an error, but he usually makes all those plays and he started some double plays tonight."

Altoona jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning against Baysox left-handed starting pitcher Cole McCurry. Robbie Grossman hit a lead off triple to right field and Kelson Brown plated him with a sacrifice fly to right field that made the score 1-0.

The Baysox took the lead right back in the bottom of the first inning against Altoona starter Nathan Baker. Schoop hit a lead off single to right field, Wheeler was hit by a pitch and center fielder LJ Hoes drew a walk to load the bases. Waring then drew a walk to plate Schoop and Machado grounded into a double play that scored a second run to make the score 2-1.

The Curve tied the game in the top of the fifth inning as McCurry began to struggle with his command. Ramon Cabrera drew a lead off walk and with one out, Miles Durham also walked. Quincy Latimore reached on a force attempt and fielding error by Wheeler that loaded the bases before Elevys Gonzalez singled to left field to score Cabrera and tie the score 2-2.

Altoona took their first lead of the game in the top of the sixth inning. Brown hit a lead off double to right field and moved to third base when Tony Sanchez grounded out to shortstop. With two outs, Cabrera scored Brown with a double to left field that made the score 3-2. Right-handed reliever Robert Hinton entered to retire the final batter in the inning.

Bowie tied the game again in the bottom of the seventh inning against Altoona reliever Victor Black. Right fielder Steven Bumbry hit a lead off double to center field and he moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Schoop. With two outs and Hoes batting, Bumbry scored on a balk that tied the score 3-3.

The Curve snatched the lead back in the top of the 10th inning against right-handed reliever Kyler Newby. Quincy Latimore singled to shortstop and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Gonzalez. Brown scored Latimore when he hit a two out triple to right field that gave Altoona the 4-3 lead.

McCurry pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four batters and walking two in a no decision.

"I thought I got back on track tonight," McCurry said. "At the beginning of the year, my mechanics were kind of off and I have been working on it the past couple weeks and I felt like I was throwing strikes like I normally do - everything felt smoother."

Hinton pitched two and one-third scoreless innings, not allowing a hit and striking out two batters. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Baysox, allowing one hit and striking out two batters. Newby pitched the 10th inning for the Baysox and allowed one run on two hits while striking out two batters and walking one in the loss.

Duke Welker earned the win for the Curve, pitching a scoreless 10th inning where he walked one batter and struck out one.

RHP Oliver Drake (0-0, 0.00) takes the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as they finish their three game home series against the Altoona Curve. He will be opposed by RHP Phil Irwin (0-1, 7.20).

The Baysox are home through Thursday, May 17 for a home stand that includes Most Improved Student Night Thursday at 7:05 p.m. The Baysox begin a three game road trip to Harrisburg beginning Friday, May 18 and return home Monday, May 21 for an eight game home stand.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

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Eastern League Stories from May 16, 2012


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