Baysox Out To Beat The Streaks
August 20, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release
(Bowie, MD) - The Bowie Baysox, class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, invite fans to witness history, as the Baysox look to Beat the Streaks in 2008. The Baysox have not been to the postseason since 1997, and have NEVER won an Eastern League Championship; both streaks are the longest in the Eastern League. This could be the year, and the Baysox don't want fans to miss a single moment of the action!
The Baysox have already had a season to remember, setting various team and individual records with weeks yet to go. Starting pitcher Brad Bergesen burst onto the scene, winning 15 games in 21 starts to set a Baysox single-season record after starting the year in Class High-A Frederick. Outfielder Lou Montanez was enjoying one of the best offensive seasons in Baysox history before being called up to Baltimore in early August. Montanez still leads the Eastern League in all three Triple Crown categories and has a chance to become league MVP. He set two new Baysox single-season records, batting .335 and compiling a slugging percentage of .601. He finished the season tied for second in Baysox franchise history with 61 extra-base hits. He became the first member of the Baysox to hit for the cycle 8/1 in Altoona since Mike Fontenot did it in 2003. Montanez also equaled a Baysox record with eight RBI in that game. Outfielder Sebastien Boucher and infielder Carlos Rojas each scored five runs that game, tying another Baysox record. Closer Julio Manon will set a Baysox single-season record for saves, he is currently sitting at 30. Starter David Hernandez is on his way to setting a new Baysox single-season strikeout record. Hernandez currently has 150 strikeouts, 27 K's shy of Jimmy Haynes' record set in 1994.
The Baysox have come a long way since their last playoff appearance. Bowie has seen 70 former Baysox players debut in the Majors since they last made the postseason. The 1997 playoff squad was led by outfielders David Dellucci and Johnny Isom, each of whom put up big offensive seasons. Dellucci set a Baysox single-season record at the time, batting .327 on the year. He drew 58 walks to just 69 strikeouts, good enough for a whopping .421 on-base percentage. He also hit 20 homeruns, 52 extra-base hits, and drove in 55 runs all in 107 games. Isom hit 20 homeruns as well, racking up 53 extra-base hits and driving in 91 runs, good for fourth on the all-time Baysox list. The Baysox had two 10-game winners, Steve Montgomery and Alvie Shepard. Montgomery was the ace of the staff, winning 10 games in just 23 starts and posting an ERA of 3.10. He struck out 127 batters while walking just 52. Jason Bullard anchored the bullpen, posting a record of 7-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 61 appearances.
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