EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Britton Stays Ahead of the Curve

Published on June 25, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


ALTOONA, Pa. -- The Bowie Baysox knocked off the league-leading Altoona Curve with a four-run ninth inning rally in a 5-1 victory Friday night at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona. The win pushes the second-place Baysox to 38-35 on the year, 10.0 games behind Altoona.

Days after being named to the All-Star Futures Game roster, Baysox starting pitcher Zach Britton threw one of the best games of his career, giving up one run off four hits through a career-long 8.0 innings. He struck out nine batters with just one walk, as his ERA dropped to 2.48, third-best in the Eastern League.

The Baysox took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when catcher Caleb Joseph hit a solo home run to left field on a full count with two outs. It was Joseph's sixth home run of the year and his 31st RBI, the fourth-highest total on the team.

The Curve tied the game in the bottom of the third inning when left fielder Anthony Norman hit a two-out double into right field and shortstop Chase d'Arnaud hit another two-bagger to right that plated Norman.

Both teams bats then seemed to freeze after the fourth inning. The Baysox and Curve both went hitless through the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings as Britton retired the last 13 batters he faced to give the Baysox a fighting chance against Curve lefty Justin Wilson's three-hit, six-inning start.

Britton's dominant work was finally rewarded with a grand ninth inning as right-hander Michael Dubee took the mound for Altoona. Baysox third baseman Ryan Adams burned him with a solo home run to left field to open the inning with the go-ahead run. After left fielder Tyler Henson struck out to end the Baysox season-best 12-game hit streak, first baseman Joel Guzman sparked a rally with a single to left field that produced valuable insurance runs.

Designated hitter Robbie Widlansky doubled to center field, but Guzman was thrown out at the plate. Joseph drew a walk and Widlansky crossed home on shortstop Greg Miclat's single to left field that left Joseph at second, where he was able to score on right fielder Jonathan Tucker's single to right. Miclat scored from second base on a single by second baseman Carlos Rojas, and when the dust settled, the Baysox held a 5-1 road lead over the Eastern League's best team going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Former Orioles reliever Bob McCrory took over for Britton, who left the mound with his seventh win in hand after the club's longest start of the year. McCrory continued the tone set by Britton, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a ground out to shortstop to breeze through the top of the Curve order.

The Baysox have two more games in Altoona, with another opportunity to chip away at the division lead Saturday at 7 p.m. They return to Bowie on Monday, June 28, for eight games against the Erie SeaWolves and Akron Aeros. The series with Erie includes a doubleheader on Monday and Daddy/Daughter Date Night on Wednesday, June 30. Fathers and their daughters can get two reserved tickets and two hot dogs for $20, with additional tickets available for $10 each.

The Aeros roll in to town during the Baysox All-American Weekend, featuring fireworks shows on July 2, 3 and 4. Saturday, July 3, is Stress Less Saturday, with a chance to win a family vacation courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Sunday, July 4, is the Baysox Independence Day Celebration, with a spectacular extended fireworks show and an auction of special stars-and-stripes Baysox jerseys that will benefit AMVETS.

Think Outside The Box with the Baysox in 2010. The Baysox 18th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Catch all the action in Natural Definition! Baysox full-season and partial-season ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the group sales department at (301) 464-4880.

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Eastern League Stories from June 25, 2010


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