EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Offense Struggles in Loss to Erie

Published on May 7, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Erie, Pa. - The Erie SeaWolves scored at least one run in each of the five innings that right-hander Wynn Pelzer pitched as they topped the Baysox 8-2 on Saturday night. The loss drops the Baysox to 15-14 on the season.

The Baysox offense, which has been up and down all season, had a down night on Saturday after scoring 12 runs on Friday. Bowie hitters managed just six hits on the night and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

The SeaWolves got off to a hot start in the bottom of the first inning and kept it going throughout the early part of the game. Ben Guez scored the first run of the game on a home run to right-center field. The second run of the inning came three batters later after Rawley Bishop and Audy Ciriaco reached on singles. Bryan Holaday hit an RBI single to drive Bishop in and put the Baysox into an early 2-0 hole.

The trouble continued for Pelzer in the second, third and fourth innings as he allowed one run in each frame. In the second inning, Francisco Martinez scored from third when first baseman Robbie Widlansky missed the ball on a pickoff attempt. In the third inning, Bishop hit a lead off double and Ciriaco followed that up with a single to move Bishop to third where he would score when Holaday grounded into a double play. In the fourth inning, Martinez hit a lead off triple and scored when Jamie Johnson grounded out to Widlansky.

Bowie's first run of the game came in the top of the third. Shortstop Pedro Florimon hit a lead off single to center field and advanced to third on a double to center field by left fielder Kyle Hudson. After center fielder Xavier Avery lined out to left field, second baseman Greg Miclat hit a line drive single to left field that plated Florimon and made the score 3-1.

The SeaWolves finished their scoring streak with a three run fifth inning. After Bishop grounded out to start the inning, Pelzer hit two consecutive batters before surrendering a two out, three-run home run by Martinez. The three runs put the SeaWolves up 8-1 and in firm control of the game.

After pitching two scoreless innings, left handed reliever Rick Zagone, who replaced Pelzer in the sixth inning, got into some trouble in the bottom of the eighth inning as the SeaWolves put two more runs on the board. Justin Henry hit a lead off single on a ground ball to second base and was moved to second on a line drive to left field by Johnson. Brandon Douglas grounded into a force out to eliminate Johnson at second while he arrived safely at first and moved Henry to third. With Guez batting, a wild pitch by Zagone allowed Henry to score and moved Douglas to second. Guez then singled to shortstop and moved Douglas to third where he would score when Ciriaco hit a two out single to center field. The two additional runs gave Erie a commanding 10-1 lead entering the ninth inning.

Right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning, but that was the end of the Baysox late game rally. Florimon drew a walk, but the next three batters were retired in order to end the game.

In five innings of work, Pelzer allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits while walking three and striking out three. Pelzer entered the game third in the Eastern League with a 1.44 ERA, but after allowing a season-high eight runs, his ERA now sits at 3.60. Zagone pitched three innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out two batters.

SeaWolves starter L.J. Gagnier dominated the Baysox in seven innings of work, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out five as he earned the win.

While the Baysox offense stumbled, Welty continued hit the ball well. After hitting a home run and driving in five runs on Friday, Welty hit a team-leading fifth home run of the season on Saturday. This is the second time this season that Welty has hit home runs in back-to-back games.

Tomorrow in game three of the series it will be RHP Steve Johnson (1-0, 0.56) going for the Baysox against the Seawolves' RHP Luke Putkonen (0-3, 8.27) with a scheduled 1:05 p.m. first pitch.

The Baysox will be on the road May 6-8, but return home for a seven game home stand on Monday, May 9. For more information on Baysox promotions and theme nights, visit www.baysox.com.

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Eastern League Stories from May 7, 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.

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