EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Look To Finish Record-Breaking Season

Published on September 3, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


(BOWIE, MD) - The Bowie Baysox, Class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will open their first playoff series in more than a decade tonight when they take on the Akron Aeros in the first of a best-of-five game series at 7:05. It is the Baysox fourth trip to the postseason in their 16-year history, and their first since 1997.

The Baysox either set or tied 14 franchise records in 2007 and landed three postseason awards. Eastern League Most Valuable Player Lou Montanez became the first player to win a Triple Crown in the Eastern League since Danny Thompson did it with the Berkshire Brewers in 1976. Montanez was both a mid-season and postseason All Star and was named Eastern League player of the month in July after batting .352 in the month with 8 home runs, 29 RBI and 30 runs scored. He was named Eastern League Player of the Week twice and had a chance to rewrite the Baysox record book before he was promoted to Baltimore on August 5. Montanez set new team records for highest batting average (.335) and extra base hits (63) while also tying the records for hits in a game (5) and RBI in a game (8). On August 1, Montanez became the first Baysox player to hit for the cycle since 2003 and finished the season second in team history in total bases (276), third in home runs (26), RBI (97) and runs (90). Even after playing in Baltimore for most of the month of August, Lou wound up leading the Eastern League in batting average (.335), home runs (26), RBI (97), slugging percentage (.601), extra base hits (63) and runs (90).

Lou wasn't the only valuable member of the Baysox offense. Fellow outfielder Nolan Reimold finished second in the Eastern League in home runs (25), extra base hits (57) and runs scored (87), and finished fifth in RBI (84). Sebastien Boucher and Carlos Rojas both tied the franchise record for runs in a game, each player scored five times on August 1 against Altoona. Jonathan Tucker tied the record for most doubles in a game when he hit three against Harrisburg on July 11. Ryan Finan and Matt Wieters each drew four walks in a game, tying another franchise record. The Baysox finished the regular season with the highest team batting average in the Eastern League (.273), the second highest average in team history.

The Baysox offense was great, but their pitching was just as good. Bowie's 3.54 team ERA was only the third lowest in the Eastern League, but it tied for the lowest in franchise history. The Baysox had four starting pitchers win at least 10 games in 2008. Eastern League Pitcher of the Year Brad Bergesen set a new franchise record with 15 wins, going 15-6 with a 3.22 ERA on the season in 23 starts. Bergesen threw three complete games, including two shutouts. David Hernandez made 27 starts for the Baysox, and led the Eastern League in strikeouts (166). Hernandez went 10-4 with a 2.68 ERA, finishing second in franchise history in both strikeouts and ERA. Chris Tillman went 11-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 28 starts in finished second in the Eastern League in strikeouts (154). Jason Berken was 12-4 with a 3.58 ERA over 25 starts, throwing a pair of complete games and one shutout while finishing fourth in strikeouts (125). Julio Manon led the Eastern League and set a new franchise record for saves (32).

Outfielders Lou Montanez and Nolan Reimold, infielder Jeff Nettles and starting pitchers Chris Tillman, Brad Bergesen and David Hernandez were all named to the 2008 Northeast Delta Dental Southern Division All-Star team. Montanez, Reimold and Bergesen were also named postseason All-Stars.

The players weren't the only ones recognized for the team's success, manager Brad Komminsk won his second Eastern League Manager of the Year award.

In addition to all the individual records set, the Baysox also set franchise records for most consecutive wins at home (15) and on the road (11), and fell one win short of tying the franchise record for most consecutive wins when they won nine in a row from May 11-May 20. Their overall record of 84-58 matched their best regular season record. The team won the Southern Division for the first time in franchise history, and is looking to win it's first ever playoff series. Fans are encouraged to wear orange to all Baysox home playoff games!

The Bowie Baysox are out to Beat The Streaks in their 16th season as the "AA" affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Baysox have not reached the postseason since 1997 and have never reached the Eastern League Championship. Playoff tickets are available on www.baysox.com or by calling the box office at (301) 464-4865.

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Eastern League Stories from September 3, 2008


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