EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Akron Holds off Bowie in Extras

Published on April 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - The Baysox twice rallied late to tie the game, but were never able to take the lead as they fell 5-4 to Akron in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 7-13 on the season and remain in last place in the division.

During each of the games the Baysox lost during the series, the team allowed runs early and spent the rest of the game trying to catch up. Wednesday, the Baysox were able to briefly catch up on two separate occasions, but the rally was short-lived each time as Akron came back in the 11th inning to retake the game.

"We kept the game very manageable for our offense to either win it or tie it and I thought at times it looked good for us," said Manager Gary Kendall. "But, even though we had 11 hits, we have to start getting some hits when it counts. We have to man up with men on base and with two outs."

Akron jumped out to another early lead in the top of the second inning against right-handed starting pitcher Zach Clark. Adam Abraham hit a lead off single to center field and Nick Weglarz followed with a single to left field. After Clark retired the next two batters, Davis Stoneburner cleared the bases with a double to center field that made the score 2-0.

The Aeros extended their lead in the top of the third inning. Ryan Rohlinger was hit by a pitch and scored when Chun Chen doubled to left field to give Akron a 3-0 lead.

Bowie got one run back in the bottom of the third inning against Akron starter Steve Wright. Third baseman Travis Adair singled to left field and left fielder Robbie Widlansky also singled to left field before advancing to second base on a fielding error by the left fielder that allowed Adair to move to third base. Center fielder LJ Hoes plated Adair with a single to right field that made the score 3-1.

The Baysox chipped away at the Akron lead again in the bottom of the fourth inning. First baseman Tyler Townsend hit a solo home run over the right field fence to make the score 3-2. It was Townsend's team-leading sixth home run of the season.

After being quiet for four innings, the Baysox came back to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth inning against Preston Guilmet. Right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a one out ground rule double to center field and with two outs, Adair doubled to left field to bring in the tying run. On the play, the left fielder and third baseman collided, preventing either from catching the ball and allowing the Baysox to tie the game.

"I got lucky was all it was," Adair said. "The guy threw a pitch up, I saw it good, but I didn't put the best swing on it and luckily it went in the right spot."

Akron jumped right back into the lead in the top of the 10th inning against right-handed reliever Greg Burke. Chen hit a lead off single to right field and Abraham followed with a single to right field. With one out, Thomas Neal drove in the go-ahead run from second with a single to center field to make the score 4-3.

Bowie rallied again to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th inning against Akron reliever Rob Bryson. Designated hitter Brandon Waring drew a one out walk and Antoan Richardson entered to pinch run. With two outs, Townsend drew a walk and Welty plated the tying run with a single to left field that made the score 4-4.

The Aeros again stole the lead right back in the top of the 11th inning against right-handed reliever Sean Gleason. Michel Hernandez hit a lead off double to right field and moved to third base on a Ben Copeland sacrifice bunt. Chen singled to center field to plate the winning run and make the score 5-4.

Clark pitched six innings and allowed three runs on six hits while striking out six batters and walking two. Right-handed reliever Robert Hinton pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Clark, not allowing a hit while striking out two batters. Righty Greg Burke pitched one and one-third innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out one batter. Right-handed reliever Sean Gleason pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two batters and walking one more in the loss

The Baysox recorded double-digit hits in the game Wednesday, but managed to convert those runs into just four runs. While they did find a few strokes of luck late in the game, the team batted just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position as they failed to capitalize on several earlier chances to get back in the game.

"As much as I liked our comeback and the fact that we didn't give up, I was disappointed in the fact that we couldn't do more damage," Kendall said. "It seems like we are sitting on our hands and waiting for other guys to do the job for us. It has to be a team effort. We left a lot of men on base today, so I am disappointed in that."

The Baysox play the first game of a three game series in Harrisburg Friday. RHP Tim Bascom (2-1, 3.75) will be taking the mound for the Baysox against the Harrisburg Senators Friday after an off day Thursday.

The Baysox depart Friday for a seven game road trip that includes stops in Harrisburg, Pa., and Richmond, Va. The team returns home for a three-game home stand against Akron Friday, May 4.

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Eastern League Stories from April 25, 2012


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