EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Can't Sink Rock Cats Manship

Published on June 19, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Despite a torrid Baysox comeback in the final two innings, New Britain ended Bowie's four-game winning streak with a 5-4 win Friday night. First baseman Eric Crozier hit a ninth inning home run in his first game as a member of the Baysox, but New Britain closer Anthony Slama shut the door for his 14th save of the season.

"It's just good to be back," Crozier said after signing with the Orioles out of the Independent League yesterday. "It seems like we've got a good mixture of guys here and the late inning rally shows the potential of this team."

The Rock Cats offense jumped out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings against Baysox starter Bobby Livingston. The left-hander would allow a one out double to Danny Valencia in the fourth inning and Erik Lis followed with an RBI single to put New Britain on the board. In the fifth, it was an RBI groundout by Toby Gardenhire which brought home the second run of the night for the Rock Cats.

Things fell apart for Livingston in the sixth inning. Valencia and Juan Portes started the inning with infield singles to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Erik Lis reached on a sacrifice bunt, as Livingston's throw to first pulled Crozier off the bag to load the bases. Yancarlos Ortiz followed with a chopper to third, but Mike Costanzo could not handle the short hop as Valencia came across with the Rock Cats third run. Livingston would allow a sacrifice fly to Danny Lehmann before getting out of the jam, finishing his night after allowing four runs (3 ER) on nine hits in 6.0 innings of work.

New Britain right-hander Jeff Manship faced the minimum through four innings, not allowing a hit until center fielder Danny Figueroa singled in the fifth. Manship left after 6.2 shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three. Right-hander Alex Burnett came on for Manship with a runner on third and two outs in the seventh, getting Figueroa to go down swinging to end the threat.

Baysox left-hander Chad Thall came on in relief to start the seventh, getting the first two hitters before allowing a solo home run to Valencia. The New Britain third baseman was a thorn in the side of Baysox pitchers all night, finishing 3-4 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored.

The Baysox began their comeback charge in the eighth as Burnett allowed a walk to designated hitter Joe Nowicki to start the inning. One batter later, Burnett hit left fielder Jonathan Tucker with a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. Shortstop Robert Valido singled through the left side to score Nowicki and put the Baysox on the board. Costanzo followed with a two-run double to the opposite field in left-center, scoring Tucker and Valido to bring them within two. After a slow start offensively by the Baysox third baseman, Costanzo extended his hitting streak to six games and has raised his average 35 points in that span.

"I'm just going out there and grinding it out," Costanzo said. "I was just trying to see the ball and make good contact and the rest will take care of itself.

Rock Cats skipper Tom Nieto went to Slama to get him out of the jam with the tying run at the plate in the form of right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion. Slama got the job done, getting Concepcion to go down swinging to end the threat.

Right-hander James Hoey came on to work the ninth for the Baysox, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work. It was the second consecutive scoreless appearance for Hoey since returning from the disabled list after a setback with his surgically repaired shoulder. The right-hander hit 94 mph with his fastball, saying that his flexibility is starting to come back after the injury.

"It's starting to come back together," Hoey said. "It's not a fun process because I'm a guy who likes to go out there and play everyday."

Slama came back on for the ninth, allowing the solo blast to Crozier to lead off the inning. The right-hander followed by getting Figueroa to go down swinging and getting Nowicki and catcher Adam Donachie to hit pop ups to close out the Rock Cats win. His 14 saves now put him into sole possession of second place in the Eastern League, and drops the Baysox to 35-31 on the season.

The two teams will go at it again tomorrow on Negro League Tribute Night at Prince George's Stadium. The Baysox will be sporting replica Negro League jerseys as they take on the Rock Cats starting at 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from June 19, 2009


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