EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Rally Past Curve

Published on May 27, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Altoona, Pa. - A furious seven run rally over the final three innings was the key to overcoming early mistakes as the Baysox defeated the Curve 7-3 Wednesday morning in Altoona. Starter John Mariotti allowed three unearned runs in the first inning thanks in part to two Baysox errors, but was bailed out by an offense that led the team to their fourth straight win.

Altoona got a chance early when Brian Friday reached on an error by third baseman Michael Costanzo to start the bottom of the first inning. Jim Negrych grounded into a fielders' choice one batter later to erase Friday at second, but the extra out proved costly. Jonel Pacheco singled to put runners at first and second. Jason Delaney followed with an RBI single, advancing when the ball went under the glove of center fielder Danny Figueroa to put runners on second and third. Jeff Corsaletti singled to score Pacheco from third, and Delaney scored on a passed ball by Baysox catcher Guillermo Rodriguez to make the score 3-0 after one.

Three unearned runs were all Mariotti would allow, as he worked around four walks over his final five innings while only allowing one more hit. His counterpart, Curve right-hander Brad Lincoln, continued to hold the offense in check after tossing a complete game shutout against the Baysox in his last outing. In today's contest, Lincoln went 6.0 shutout innings allowing four hits while walking one and striking out five.

After Lincoln left the game, Baysox hitters were finally able to find some success against Altoona right-hander Jeff Sues in the top of the seventh. Figueroa doubled with one out, scoring on an RBI single by Rodriguez to cut the Altoona deficit to two. Sues allowed a leadoff walk to left fielder Jonathan Tucker in the eighth before being replaced by closer Jean Machi. First baseman Brandon Snyder drew a walk to put the tying run aboard with nobody out. Costanzo followed with an RBI single, plating Tucker and moving Snyder over to third. Second baseman Miguel Abreu grounded to third, but Snyder got caught in a run down for the first out of the inning. Figueroa came through again, driving an RBI single to left to plate Costanzo and tie the game at three apiece. Figueroa would finish the afternoon 4-5 with two doubles and an RBI and is now 7-for-12 since coming off the Disabled List on May 23.

Left-hander Ryan Rodriguez set the Curve down in order in the eighth and the Baysox exploded in the ninth against Curve righty Joshua Hill. Designated hitter Dave Krynzel singled to start the inning, but was erased at second as Tucker's bunt attempt resulted in a force at second. After Snyder singled to put runners on first and second, Costanzo came through in the clutch again as he laced a double into right field which scored Tucker and put the Baysox on top 4-3. One batter later, right fielder Joe Nowicki put the game out of reach with a towering three run homer on the first pitch he saw from Hill. The blast was Nowicki's fourth of the season, three of which have come in the seventh inning and beyond as the young outfielder is quickly earning a reputation for the big hit.

Rodriguez came back on to close it out in the ninth, earning his first win of the season. The Baysox left-hander has adjusted well to a recent change in his mechanics and has now held his opponent scoreless in 6.0 innings over his last two appearances.

The Baysox moved to a season high three games over .500 at 23-20 for the season. The two teams will close out the series tomorrow morning as RHP Jake Arrieta (4-2, 2.97 ERA) looks for his fifth win of the season against Curve RHP Yoslan Herrera (2-0, 3.74 ERA). Game time is set for 10:35 a.m. at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona.

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 27, 2009


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