EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Ballard Grounds Flying Squirrels

Published on June 18, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Richmond, Va. - Left-handed starting pitcher Mike Ballard allowed just three hits in eight innings as the Baysox recovered from last night's loss to beat Richmond 3-1 on the road Saturday night. With the win, the Baysox improve to 35-33 on the season.

Ballard allowed just one run as he shut down the Flying Squirrels in his first start against Richmond. Ballard struck out seven on the way to earning the win, his second in three starts with the Baysox.

The Baysox scored first in the top of the fourth inning when catcher Caleb Joseph hit a home run to center field to lead off the inning against Richmond starter Clayton Tanner.

Bowie extended their lead in the top of the fifth inning with two more runs. Right fielder Ronnie Welty drew a lead off walk and advanced to third base when third baseman Carlos Rojas doubled to left field. With center fielder Xavier Avery batting, Welty scored on a wild pitch that moved Rojas to third. Avery struck out swinging, but second baseman Greg Miclat singled to right field to plate Rojas and put the Baysox up 3-0.

Richmond got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the eighth inning against Ballard when Johnny Monell homered to center field with two outs.

Right-handed pitcher Armando Gabino replaced Ballard in the ninth-inning after he gave up a leadoff single to Nick Noonan and struck out one as he earned his second save of the season.

With his home run, Joseph extended his hitting streak to nine games, making it the second longest of the season for the Baysox. With six home runs, Joseph is third on the team in home runs and he leads the team with a .279 batting average.

Bowie hitters were seeing Tanner for the fifth time this season and the familiarity seemed to pay off as the Baysox recorded eight hits in the game while Richmond had just three hits against Ballard, who they had not yet faced this season.

The Baysox have now played Richmond 17 times this season and the games commonly come down to the final few innings. Fourteen games between the two teams have been decided by two runs or less.

Sunday, RHP Steve Johnson (5-1, 2.16) takes the mound for the Baysox as they complete their series with Richmond. His opponent will be LHP Ryan Verdugo (4-2, 3.00).

The Baysox are on the road for a six game road trip. They return home Friday, June 24, for a three game home stand against the Binghamton Mets. The home stand features Louie's Birthday Bash, Scout Night Camp Out, and postgame fireworks Friday night, Star Wars Saturday with postgame fireworks Saturday night, and the Baysox post-Fathers Day Celebration with pregame catch on the field and a meet the team autograph session before Sunday afternoon's game.

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.

Check out the Chesapeake Baysox Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from June 18, 2011


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.

OurSports Central