EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Slip Past Senators

Published on May 26, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Bowie Baysox defeated the Harrisburg Senators 3-1 Wednesday night to pull back to .500 at 23-23. The Baysox got the win despite being out-hit 10-5 thanks to excellent work by starting pitcher Zach Britton and his defense, which committed no errors for the third game in a row as Britton generated groundball after groundball.

The victory moves the Baysox into third place in the six-team Eastern League Western Division, as they lie seven games out of first, but just two behind second-place Richmond.

Britton recorded his second consecutive quality start in the win, which was one of his best outings of the year. He pitched 7.0 shutout innings, his longest start of the year, with six hits allowed and six punchouts.

"He had good sink on the ball, he pitched good tonight," Manager Brad Komminsk said. "He kept the ball down, got some ground balls, he did a very nice job. Probably his best outing of the year, I think."

"We got a lot of early contact," Britton said. "Everything was working, I was able to locate my sinker on the inside and outside, same thing with the slider, I was throwing it to both sides of the plate. Once I started getting a little bit tired, the change-up was there, so I had three good pitches today, and that's what happens."

That change-up is a pitch that Britton and Pitching Coach Kennie Steenstra have placed a lot of emphasis on this season, as a tool that will make him more effective once he reaches the Major Leagues.

"The change-up was better," Britton said. "It was a little hard in the first two innings, but I kind of backed off and didn't throw as many in the third and fourth. Then, in the fifth, sixth and seventh, I probably threw like four or five an inning. They were good, they were down. The problem in the past was elevating the change-up, and today I was able to locate it down over the middle of the plate and they took some bad swings and that just made my fastball better, especially when I got tired."

Senators pitcher Aaron Thompson held the Baysox to just one hit through the first four innings, but gave up the game's opening run after designated hitter Robbie Widlansky hit a double off the center field wall. Widlansky ran to third on a wild pitch and scored as catcher Jhonatan Solano's throw to third sailed into left field.

First baseman Joel Guzman extended the Bowie lead to 2-0 with a thundering blast that landed on the boardwalk in left field. It was Guzman's Baysox-leading 10th home run of the year, keeping him in second place on the Eastern League leaderboard.

Britton worked himself into a jam as he approached 85 pitches in the bottom of the seventh. Outfielder Marvin Lowrance hit a two-out single to center field and moved to second on Britton's wild pitch. Josh Johnson pinch-hit for third baseman Ofilo Castro and drew a walk. Solano loaded the bases with a swinging bunt that Britton gathered, but wisely held on to. Britton escaped as outfielder Brad Coon hit a slow roller to shortstop Carlos Rojas, who flipped the ball to Ryan Adams at second.

The Baysox tacked on another run to make it 3-0 in the top of the eighth inning. Right fielder Jonathan Tucker walked to open the frame, and took second on relief pitcher Rafael Martin's wild pitch in the dirt. Rojas moved Tucker to third base with a ground out to shortstop Danny Espinosa. Center fielder Matt Angle was out with a fly ball to left field, but it was deep enough to entice Tucker to go for home after the catch. The throw came to home as Tucker approached the plate and slid with a hand outstretched to the dish. Umpire Jon Saphire ruled him safe, to the dismay of the Senators and their fans, prompting Manager Randy Knorr to come out to argue the call and get ejected by Saphire.

"We had a two run lead, so I knew I was gonna be aggressive," Tucker said. "Brad [Komminsk] told me to tag, and I didn't think twice. The ball took [the catcher] towards the dugout, and I just evaded the tag and got in there. He definitely didn't get me. I got the plate with my fingertips, and I'm glad the umpire made the call."

The Senators mounted a late rally in the bottom of the ninth inning against right-handed reliever Pat Egan. Second baseman Michael Martinez and Lowrance hit a pair of singles up the middle to open the inning and put runners on the corners with no outs. Lowrance moved to second on a ground out, and Martinez broke up the shut out as he scored on a sacrifice fly by Solano. Coon added one more hit to put runners on the corners again, before Espinosa grounded out to Adams to end the game at 3-1.

The Baysox have at least split the series with Harrisburg and can win it in the series finale Thursday at 7 p.m. The team will then head to Richmond for four more games with the Flying Squirrels to complete the eight-game road trip.

They return to Bowie on Tuesday, June 1, for a six-game home stand against the Binghamton mets and Erie SeaWolves. That weekend's games feature two of the most highly anticipated events of the year at Prince George's Stadium. Friday, June 4, is Legends of Wrestling Night, where fans can meet and get autographs from three-time WWF champion and New York Times bestselling author Mick Foley. That Saturday is Louie's Big Birthday Bash, as the Baysox lovable green mascot will celebrate his birthday in style with several of his mascot friends and a pre-game concert for kids by Milkshake. Louie's Kids Club members and their parents can buy tickets for $12 that include admission to the pre-game concert, a lower reserved ticket in Louie's Birthday Section, a wristband for free rides and games in Louie's Kids Park, birthday cake, and a goody bag. To order tickets, fans can contact Baysox Community Programs Manager Dana DeFilippo at (301) 464-4871 before 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3.

Think Outside The Box with the Baysox in 2010. The Baysox 18th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Catch all the action in Natural Definition! Baysox full-season and partial-season ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the group sales department at (301) 464-4880.

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Eastern League Stories from May 26, 2010


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