EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox post-season plans in jeopardy after 15-inning heartbreaker

Published on September 4, 2005 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - The Baysox hit a roadblock in their path to the playoffs when Josh Bonifay hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifteenth to lead Altoona to a 4-1 victory before 4,711 at Prince George's Stadium on Sunday.

It was Bowie's third consecutive loss to Altoona. The Baysox (74-67) now trail the Curve (75-66) by a game for the Southern Division's final playoff spot. Bowie must win tomorrow's season finale to force a one-game playoff in Altoona on Tuesday.

"It's kind of funny because we still have a chance," manager Don Werner said after the loss. "As bad as things have gone here, if we win tomorrow we have Hayden Penn to pitch in Altoona (in the one-game playoff)."

The loss was particularly heartbreaking because the Baysox held a 1-0 with one out in the ninth. Closer Sendy Rleal faced Jorge Cortes to start the inning, and Cortes hit a grounder in front of the mound. Rleal went to pick up the ball but lost his grip twice. Cortes was safe at first on the error. A sacrifice bunt moved Cortes to second, and he came around to score on Chaz Lytle's single to center.

Mike Huggins nearly ended the game in the top of the eleventh. The first baseman, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth, launched a Brady Borner pitch high in the air towards centerfield. Rich Thompson sprinted back, jumped at the fence, and reached over for a spectacular, game-saving catch of Huggins' potential walk-off homer.

The eventual game-winning shot would have to wait for four more innings. Craig Stansberry led off the fifteenth with a double to right off Chris Piersoll. Stansberry advanced to third on a groundout by Howie Clark, and Tom Evans was intentionally walked. That brought up Bonifay, who entered the game one shy of tying the Curve's career record for home runs. He took Piersoll (5-1) deep to right for a three-run shot, giving Altoona a 4-1 lead.

The Baysox brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning but fell short. Paul Stewart retired the first two batters before issuing a four-pitch walk to Brandon Marsters. Brandon Fahey kept the game alive with a single to right, and the Baysox suddenly had two runners on base. But Joey Hammond swung at the first pitch he saw from Stewart (6-10) and flew out to right to end the game.

Today's three hour, 43 minute marathon featured strong pitching on both sides. Curve starter Hansel Izquierdo set a franchise mark by going 10 innings. He allowed just one run on seven hits. At one point, Curve pitchers retired 17 batters in a row.

"We just weren't having good at-bats against him," Werner said of Izquierdo. "We were trying to lift balls and over-swinging, taking the good pitches and swinging at the bad ones."

Cory Morris led the Baysox pitching corps with another strong start. He tossed six shutout inning while giving up just three hits and three walks. Morris struck out a season-high 11 batters, providing the bulk of Bowie's 23 strikeouts on the day.

The Baysox only run came in the fifth. Morgan Clendenin started the inning with a single to right. After Ryan Hubele flew out, Fahey singled to left to move Clendenin into scoring position. Hammond plated Clendenin with a sharply-hit single to right.

Bowie entered this series on an offensive tear, but has sputtered in three games against the Curve.

"We've got to get the bats going," Werner said. "Four runs in 33 innings is not going to do it. We're not facing Randy Johnson out there or Curt Schilling. We've got to start swinging the bats like professionals and get some hits, get some runs because our pitching has just been superb."

BAYSOX NOTES: After having appeared in 53 games with three different teams in the Orioles' system this season, Piersoll finally suffered his first loss. He is now 11-1 with three saves on the season...Today's loss dropped Bowie's record in extra innings to 11-6. The Baysox have played 13 extra-inning contests at home this season.

ON DECK: With the fate of the season resting on its final game, the Baysox will send RHP Matt Bruback (5-1, 4.14 ERA) to the mound to face LHP Shane Youman (7-6, 4.06 ERA). Bruback threw 3.2 innings in Friday's game, but has pitched well against the Curve all season. Werner said that Bruback could be followed by just about any pitcher, including starters Matt Bailie and Richard Stahl.

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Eastern League Stories from September 4, 2005


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