Baysox Quiet Erie, Take Four of Five
May 17, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release
BOWIE, Md. - Bobby Livingston tossed five strong innings, while first baseman Brandon Snyder continued to be an RBI machine as the Baysox took down Erie 3-1. Snyder collected an RBI for the fourth straight game and the bullpen allowed one hit over the final four innings as the Baysox took four of five from the SeaWolves over the weekend.
"We're relaxed and having a lot of fun," said Snyder of the team's recent surge. "Whether we're up or down we have to keep the same focus."
The Baysox got on the board early, scoring two runs in the first inning off Erie starter Alfredo Figaro. With one out and center fielder Jonathan Tucker on first after a fielder's choice, Snyder crushed a Figaro pitch off the wall in left for an RBI double. Third baseman Michael Costanzo followed with a broken bat single into center field which plated Snyder and gave the Baysox a two run advantage. Snyder is making a strong case for player of the month, adding his 16th RBI during the month of May in addition to hitting .389. Snyder has made a mark on the Eastern League in his short time in the league, as Eastern League pitchers are starting to be much more wary of how they pitch to him in certain situations.
"Hitting is no different no matter where you are," said hitting coach Moe Hill of Snyder's progression. "If you're a good hitter you just carry it over to the next level and that's what (Snyder) has done."
The Baysox would add another run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Guillermo Rodriguez, set up with the by the quick feet of left fielder Joe Nowicki. After looping a single to left with one out, Nowicki stole second and took third when catcher Alex Avila's throw sailed into center field. Rodriguez drove a fly ball into right field on the next pitch, and the Baysox left the second with a 3-0 lead.
The Baysox are beginning to find a groove offensively, combining good starting pitching with timely hitting as they have now won six out of their last eight games. Costanzo made his debut with the Baysox on Thursday, quickly taking notice of a staff which allowed six runs in the four wins over Erie on the weekend.
"We're getting in a good rhythm and getting really good starting pitching," said Costanzo about the team's recent success. "That's always the key to winning on a consistent basis."
Livingston earned his fourth win of the season, matching the team lead which was set by Jake Arrieta the night before. He allowed a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Alex Avila, but got out of the inning without further damage. The Baysox left-hander scattered seven hits, allowing one earned run in 5.0 innings of work. He walked one and struck out one before handing it over to right-hander Ryan Ouellette to start the sixth.
Making his second appearance since joining the team on May 14, Ouellette worked 2.0 scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out one. He has not been scored upon in 4.1 innings of relief on the season, holding opponents scoreless in seven of his last nine appearances between Bowie and Class A Frederick.
Left-hander Chad Thall worked a scoreless eighth, picking up his team leading fifth hold of the season. Josh Perrault took the ball in the ninth, striking out two before getting Scott Sizemore to pop out to second to end the game. The save was Perrault's second of the season, the right-hander out of Arizona State has held his opponents scoreless in twelve of his 15 outings on the season, posting a 2.05 ERA.
The Baysox take the day off tomorrow before Altoona comes to town for a three-game set on Tuesday. Eastern League ERA leader LHP Troy Patton (3-1, 1.31 ERA) will take the bump looking for his fourth win of the season. He will be going up against LHP Daniel Moskos (2-2, 4.41 ERA), the former fourth overall pick who was taken one pick ahead of Matt Weiters in the 2007 Amateur Draft.
The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! Check out www.baysox.com to see all that's going on at the stadium this year, and don't miss a moment of the action as the Baysox attempt to bring home their first Eastern League championship. Individual game tickets and ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.
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Eastern League Stories from May 17, 2009
- Atilano activated and VanAllen placed on DL - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Sweep Doubleheader Sunday in Altoona - Akron RubberDucks
- Curve swept in double-header - Altoona Curve
- Duda and Coronado lead B-Mets to Doubleheader Sweep of Thunder - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Baysox Quiet Erie, Take Four of Five - Chesapeake Baysox
- Binghamton sweeps double-header from Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Fisher Cats beat Defenders 8-2 Sunday afternoon - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Defenders Split Double Header - Connecticut Defenders
- Portland finishes 4-4 on the trip â drop 3 of 5 to New Britain - Portland Sea Dogs
- Rock Cats down Sea Dogs, 4-2 - New Britain Rock Cats
- Curve fall to Aeros in game one of doubleheader - Altoona Curve
- Figaro Strong But 'Wolves Fall to Bowie - Erie SeaWolves
- Erie SeaWolves at Bowie Baysox - Erie SeaWolves
- RHP Eric Wordekemper Transferred to Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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