EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Abreu Blast Sinks Sens

Published on July 9, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Second baseman Miguel Abreu launched a two-out solo blast in the bottom of the eighth as the Baysox slid past Harrisburg 3-2. Luis Lebron picked up his first Baysox win and right-hander Ryan Ouellette earned his second save of the season as Bowie took two of three from the Senators during the series. With the win, the Baysox improve to 48-39 on the season and 8.5 games out of first place heading into Eastern League action tonight.

The Baysox offense got on the board in the second inning against Harrisburg left-hander Cory VanAllen. Third baseman Mike Costanzo led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt by VanAllen. Right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion followed with a line drive that crept over the left field fence for his sixth home run of the season. The blast was the Baysox first home run in their last eight games, ending their longest home run drought of the season.

Baysox starter Ryohei Tanaka allowed a run to come across in the fourth inning to cut the lead in half. Michael Martinez led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a balk. After a groundout by Ian Desmond moved the runner to third, rehabbing slugger Dmitri Young brought him home with an RBI groundout. Tanaka would keep the Senators hitless through 4.2 innings before a two-out double by Javi Herrera broke up the no-hit bid in the fifth inning. He finished his day after 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit while walking four and striking out five.

"He got a little blister on his finger and I think it hurt his control a little bit," Baysox Pitching Coach Larry McCall said. "He was doing an outstanding job in relief but we needed a starter and he's fit right in that role."

Right-hander James Hoey came on in relief to start the sixth inning, allowing one hit over 2.0 shutout innings of work to earn his third hold of the season. With two outs and a runner on second for Young in the top of the seventh inning, Hoey snapped off a sharp curveball which sent Young flailing to end the inning. Normally using just a fastball and slider, McCall said Hoey has been working on the curveball as well as a changeup to add to his repertoire.

"He threw a couple pretty good curveballs today and a few good changeups as well," McCall said. "He told me he was working on it and I told him to bring it out to a game and he did."

Luis Lebron came on to start the eighth inning for the Baysox, but struggled as Harrisburg tied the game at two. Michael Daniel singled to lead off the inning, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Martinez. With Desmond at the plate, Daniel stole third base as Baysox catcher Adam Donachie's throw sailed down the left field line, allowing him to come around to score.

Harrisburg skipper John Stearns went to his All-Star left-hander Jack Spradlin to work the eighth inning. After setting down first baseman Eric Crozier and Costanzo with strikeouts, he left a fastball in to Abreu who planted it over the secondary wall in left field for the go-ahead blast. Abreu saw two pitches or less in three of his four at-bats on the day, attacking pitches early in the count when he could sit on the pitches he felt would be called for strikes.

"He made a mistake inside and I put a good swing on it and drove it out," Abreu said. "Every time we come to play we see the standings and this is a big win for us."

Abreu had the benefit of learning from Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis, who spent the previous two games playing shortstop for the Baysox on a rehab assignment. He said Izturis noticed some things in his game both offensively and defensively that he could change to make him a better player, and Abreu was more than happy to put in some extra work before the game.

"He told me yesterday that ‘we're going to go to work' in the morning," Abreu said. "I said ‘of course' because I'd love to learn with a guy like him who is a veteran and in the big leagues."

With a one-run lead, Lebron came back out in the ninth looking to close out his first win of the season. The right-hander struggled with his command, walking the first two hitters and was replaced by right-hander Ryan Ouellette. The All-Star reliever came through when it counted, getting Marvin Lowrance to ground into a double-play before striking out pinch hitter Luke Montz to send the fans at Prince George's Stadium home happy.

"A lot of pressure was taken off with the double play," Ouellette said. "It was really important for the team to bounce back and get on the winning track after a tough loss yesterday."

Tomorrow the Baysox begin a four-game series with the Altoona Curve, who currently sit in last place in the Southern Division with a record of 32-55. RHP Radhames Liz (3-1, 3.24) takes the mound for the Baysox against RHP Michael Crotta (4-4, 4.98) for the Curve.

Fans are encouraged to come out and face their fears as the Baysox celebrate Face Your Fears Friday! Whether it is clowns, snakes, spiders or anything that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, the Baysox want you to come out and stand up to the challenge.

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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Eastern League Stories from July 9, 2009


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