EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Akron Wins Three in A Row at Bowie

Published on May 15, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - The Aeros used a three run third inning to build an early lead on the Baysox and held off a late rally to win 5-3 and hand the Baysox their third straight loss. The loss drops the Baysox below .500 to 18-19.

Right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Atkins pitched seven innings and allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits while walking three and striking out four. Atkins ran into trouble in the third, fourth and fifth innings that allowed the Aeros to build their lead.

Akron scored three runs with two outs in the top of the third inning to jump in front of Bowie. Matt Lawson hit a lead off double to left field and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Cristo Arnal. Lawson scored when Jordan Henry reached on a missed catch error by third baseman Brandon Waring on a throw from Atkins. The ball bounced of Atkins' foot and Atkins threw to third to try and get the lead runner but Waring missed the catch allowing Lawson to score. Henry then stole second and scored on a single to center field by Tim Fedroff. Juan Diaz then doubled to left field and Matt McBride drew a walk to load the bases. John Drennen then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive Fedroff in and put Akron up 3-0.

"I started off the [third] inning good and then left the ball up and gave up a double and then I got lucky with the ball off my foot, but had the error to third base," Atkins said. "Then they got a couple good hits and scored three runs. In the two innings after that, they scored some two outs runs that hurt because instead of getting an out they got a couple more runs that hurt us even more than the three-run inning"

Akron scored two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to put the Aeros up 5-0. Kyle Bellows drew a lead off walk and a sacrifice bunt by Lawson moved Bellows to second. Henry then singled to right field to score Bellows. In the fifth inning, McBride doubled to left field and Drennen plated McBride with a single to right field.

Waring got one run back for the Baysox in the bottom of the fifth inning when he hit a lead off home run on a 0-1 pitch. Waring, who is batting .184, is currently on a four-game hitting streak and beginning hit the ball better.

"He left a slider up in the zone and I put a good swing on it," Waring said. "It's always nice to hit one out of the park - hopefully I can build off that and keep it going next week. I'm swinging the bat better, but I still think I can hit better."

The Baysox got two more runs back in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the rally fell short or a full comeback. Facing Chen Lee, catcher Adam Donachie hit a lead off single to right field and left fielder Kyle Hudson reached on a fielding error by Arnal. Center fielder Xavier Avery singled to left field to load the bases and after pinch hitter Steve Lerud struck out, designated hitter Caleb Joseph walked to drive in a run. Right fielder Ronnie Welty followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Hudson, but that was the last run the Baysox scored.

Right-handed reliever Raul Rivero pitched one inning in relief of Atkins and struck out one while not allowing any hits. Left-handed reliever Nick Bierbrodt pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Baysox, recording one strikeout.

Left-handed Akron starter Matt Packer dominated the Baysox for the first seven innings of the game. He allowed just one run on five hits while striking out eight to earn his first win of the season.

The Baysox recorded seven hits, the same number as the Aeros, but were unable to score extra-base hits and timely hits to match Akron. Three of Akron's seven hits went for extra bases and three of their hits were with runners in scoring position while the Baysox had only one extra base hit and one hit with runners in scoring position.

"They seemed to have a knack today to hit those balls down the line and get extra base hits," said Manager Gary Kendall. "All our balls we hit today were singles other than Waring's home run - it would've been nice to throw out those doubles and put a guy on second base."

The team begins a three-day road trip starting May 17 after an off day Monday, May 16, and returns home Friday, May 20 for a three-game home stand. For more information on Baysox promotions and theme nights, visit www.baysox.com.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2011


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