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EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Ballard Charms Phillies

July 6, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Left-handed starting pitcher Mike Ballard struck out a team-high 12 batters as he dominated Reading and led the Baysox to a 4-1 win at home Wednesday evening. With the win, the Baysox improve to 42-41 on the season.

Ballard pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on two hits while striking out 12 and not issuing a single walk. He recorded at least one strikeout in each of the seven innings he pitched and went through a stretch where he retired 20 consecutive batters.

"He made one mistake on a 2-0 fastball in the first inning and then really settled in and pitched extremely well tonight," said Pitching Coach Kennie Steenstra. "He was down in the zone and mixed his pitches really well. I thought the big thing was he pitched inside on the righties really well, not only for strikes, but to push them back a little bit and keep them off his fastball. It was about as good a game as we have had pitched here this year."

The Baysox were not overpowering offensively, but recorded key hits when they needed and were aided by three errors committed by the Phillies defense.

"We scored that one run when LJ hit a grounder and we took advantage of the error and then we put a couple hits together," said Manager Gary Kendall. "We had some other opportunities, but I really liked our offense tonight. We got hits spread out throughout and guys continued to compete and put some pressure on the defense. I was happy with the overall game - it was a good game defensively."

The Phillies got on the board first in the top of the first inning against Ballard. With one out and no one on base, Michael Spidale hit his second home run of the season to left field to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

The Baysox answered right back in the bottom of the first inning against Phillies starter BJ Rosenberg. With one out, second baseman Greg Miclat walked and third baseman LJ Hoes singled to third base to put runners at first and third after an error on the play. First baseman Joe Mahoney then tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left field to make the score 1-1.

In the second inning, the Baysox added two more runs. Shortstop Pedro Florimon led off with a double down the first baseline and then scored on a Ronnie Welty single to center field. Welty advanced all the way to third when the center fielder Derrick Mitchell misplayed the ball. Welty was then knocked in when left field Kyle Hudson grounded out to second base to make the score 3-1.

The Baysox extended the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Florimon reached on a bunt single to the pitcher and went to second on a wild pitch. Welty then picked up his second RBI of the game on a double to right field to make the score 4-1.

Right-handed reliever Pat Egan entered for Ballard in the eighth inning with two runners on base a recorded a double play and a ground out. He pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game, recording his first save of the season.

Welty entered the game in a slump, going just 4-for-27 in his last seven games, but helped the Baysox win Wednesday with several keys hits. Welty recorded two doubles and two RBIs while also scoring a run of his own.

"I was just trying to be relaxed," Welty said. "I feel like I've been trying a little too hard so I was trying to stay relaxed and hit the ball the other way - it's been working really well the last couple days. I am trying to stay on the ball as long as possible and just trust myself a little more instead of trying so hard and trying to do too much."

Miclat stole his 27th base of the season Wednesday night and has been on a roll lately. He has stolen a base in each of his last three games and is a perfect 27-for-27 on stolen base attempts this season.

Thursday, RHP Tim Bascom (4-2, 3.27) takes the mound for the Baysox as they finish a four game home stand with the Reading Phillies. His opponent will be RHP J.C. Ramirez (7-7, 4.06).

The Baysox are home through Thursday, July 7 for a home stand that includes the Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway and Festivus Miracle Thursday night. The team then begins a four-game road trip Friday, July 8 before the All-Star break Tuesday, July 12.

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