EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Topped the Flying Squirrels 3-1

Published on May 1, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - Right-handed starting pitcher Zach Clark threw eight innings and allowed just one run on three hits as the Baysox topped the Flying Squirrels 3-1 and swept the three-game home series. With the win, the fourth in a row, the Baysox are now 13-10 on the season and in first place in the Western Division by 1.5 games.

In a series dominated by Bowie catcher Caleb Joseph, catcher Steve Lerud played his best game of the season on Sunday afternoon as a light rain fell on Prince George's Stadium. Knowing that the Bowie bullpen was shallow after Saturday night's 18-inning game, Lerud called a great game for Clark, helping him to get quick outs in the middle innings of the game and extend Clark to the eighth inning.

"The first inning he got off to a rough start, was a little quick in his delivery and we talked in between innings about getting back into a rhythm and trying to fill up the strike zone with his sinker," Lerud said. "We wanted to get early outs. I was telling him that he needs to attack guys with the good sinker that he has and whatever happens, happens."

Clark's eight inning outing was the longest by any Baysox starting pitcher this season and Clark finished strong, striking out two batters in the final two innings he pitched. On the day, Clark threw 100 pitches and struck out six while walking only two.

"I want to throw a complete game every time," Clark said. "I did put a little bit more pressure on myself to try and be quick and not put them [coaches] in a situation where they have to decide ‘should we take him out or should we keep him in.'"

For the second night in a row, the Baysox were forced to come-from-behind to secure a victory as Richmond struck first in the top of the first inning. Clark got into some trouble early by surrendering a one out single to Nick Noonan. Justin Christian followed with a double to left field that plated Noonan to put the Squirrels up 1-0. That was the last run allowed by Clark and the Baysox during the game.

"I think he put a little pressure on himself early on and that's why he seemed a little tight that first inning," said Pitching Coach Kennie Steenstra. "Once he settled in a groove, from about the third inning on, he was outstanding. He did a good job locating with his fastball. He was able to spot to both sides of the plate and get a lot of early outs."

The Baysox used a three-run sixth inning to take the lead from the Flying Squirrels. With Edwin Quirarte on the mound for Richmond, third baseman Brandon Waring grounded into the first out. Joseph, who was the designated hitter, singled to left, but shortstop Pedro Florimon flied out to center field for the second out. Right fielder Ronnie Welty hit a two-out single through the hole at second base that moved Joseph to second and Lerud then came through with a big two-out single to center field that would score Joseph to tie the game and move Welty to third. Center fielder Xavier Avery finished off the rally by doubling to center field and plating Welty and Lerud to put the Baysox up 3-1, a lead they would protect for the rest of the game.

"I'm just looking for something to drive up the middle," Lerud said. "I was kind of pulling off my first at bat. I just really wanted to find something I could drive up the middle and try to score us a run."

Right-handed closer Jose Diaz came on for Clark in the ninth inning and allowed one hit and struck out one as he earned his Eastern League leading ninth save.

The Baysox defense stepped up in the three-game series with Richmond, helping to keep Richmond off the scoreboard even as the Baysox offense was struggling to score runs. The Bowie fielders did not commit a single error in the 36 innings played during the three games.

After going 0-18 in the past five games, Welty recorded three hits in the series finale against the Flying Squirrels. Welty went 3-3 with a walk and scored one of the runs in the sixth inning.

The sweep of the Squirrels by the Baysox is the first three-game series sweep the Baysox have had at home since they won three against Binghamton from July 19-21 last season.

The team is home through Thursday, May 5. The home stand features Country Day Sunday, May 1, Mutt Monday, and Mustache Mania Wednesday, May 4. For more information on Baysox promotions and theme nights, visit www.baysox.com.

Check out the Chesapeake Baysox Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 1, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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