EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Akron Knuckleballer Shuts out Baysox

Published on May 6, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - Akron starter Steven Wright pitched a complete game shutout against the Baysox Sunday afternoon as Bowie (12-18) lost 5-0 to the Aeros (19-8).

The outing by Wright was the first complete game shutout pitched against the Baysox since Evan McClane of Binghamton on July 24, 2005. Wright allowed five hits and struck out six batters while walking just two and did not allow a single hit in the final four innings of the game.

"You have to get more than five hits," said Manager Gary Kendall. "You aren't going to score a bunch of runs if you only get five hits. I know this guy is a tough guy to hit against, but we just have to keep working."

The Baysox had their chances early as twice in the first three innings, the team had a runner on third base with less than two outs, but each time they were unable to score a single run. The team's lead off batter reached base in each of the first five innings, but the offense then struggled to move him around the bases.

"We had two chances with a runner on third base and we just didn't get it done," Kendall said. "We just didn't get enough hits together on that guy. He pitched a whale of a game and we couldn't do much with him. I thought we were a little flat and there was not a whole lot of intensity offensively or defensively."

For the third game in a row, Akron jumped out to the early lead in the top of the first inning against Baysox starting pitcher Zach Clark. Tim Fedroff hit a lead off double to right field and moved to third base on a single by Juan Diaz. Fedroff scored when Jared Goedert grounded into a double play that allowed Clark to limit the damage and keep the score 1-0.

Akron extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning. Goedert hit a one out double to left field and advanced to third base on a passed ball by catcher Scott Thomas with Adam Abraham batting. Abraham then doubled to left field and plated Goedert before moving to third base on a single to right field by Ryan Rohlinger. Thomas Neal grounded into a force out that retired Rohlinger at second base, but Abraham scored on the play to make the score 3-0.

The Aeros added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning against right-handed reliever Kyler Newby. Goedert hit a lead off single to third base and Rohlinger hit a one out single to center field that moved Goedert to second base. Neal grounded into a force out that retired Rohlinger at second base, but a throwing error by second baseman Jonathan Schoop on the play allowed Goedert to score from second base and give Akron a 4-0 lead.

Akron added to their lead again in the top of the ninth inning against right-handed reliever Robert Hinton. Roberto Perez hit a one out double to center field and Fedroff followed with a single to right field that moved Perez to third base. Diaz plated Perez when he grounded out to second base to make the score 5-0.

Clark pitched six innings and allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out two batters and walking two more in the loss. Newby pitched two innings and allowed one unearned run on three hits while striking out one batter and walking one. Hinton pitched the ninth inning for the Baysox and allowed one run on two hits.

"There were a couple pitches that I made mistakes on and they capitalized on those," Clark said. "My ball is sinking a little more consistently now. It seemed like sometimes before it would be flat and sometimes it would sink. It is definitely sinking more. I just have to get better with my off-speed stuff."

The Baysox are off Monday and on Tuesday the team begins a six game road trip that includes stops in Altoona and Richmond before returning home Tuesday, May 15.

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 6, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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