EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Baysox Unable to Handle Curve

Published on August 21, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - A three-run sixth inning propelled Altoona to a 4-1 win over the Baysox on Friday night in Bowie. Right-hander Steve Johnson took his second loss of the season, allowing three runs (2 ER) on three hits in 5.1 innings of work. The loss drops the Baysox to 63-60 on the season, 13.5 games behind Akron in the Southern Division.

"I thought he did really well through the first five innings," Baysox Pitching Coach Larry McCall said. "I thought he sped his tempo up too much in the sixth and got himself in trouble."

The two teams remained scoreless until the fourth inning, as the Baysox tallied a single run against right-hander Yoslan Herrera. Center fielder Danny Figueroa started the inning with a walk, advancing to second one batter later on an infield single by right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion. Designated hitter Paco Figueroa followed with a sharp single into left, scoring his twin brother Danny with the Baysox first run of the game.

It was all the offense Bowie would muster on the night, as Herrera settled down to retire the final 11 batters he faced on the night to earn his 10th win of the season.

Altoona tied the game with a single run in the fifth inning. Jonel Pacheco was clipped by a Johnson offering to start the inning, advancing to second when first baseman Eric Crozier could not handle a pickoff attempt. An infield single by Steve Lerud put men at the corners with nobody out, and Miles Durham lifted a sacrifice fly to right for his 26th RBI of the season.

The Curve broke it open in the sixth against Johnson, who retired the first batter of the inning before issuing free passes to Pedro Alvarez and Jason Delaney. The two walks ended Johnson's night as right-hander Eddie Gamboa came out of the bullpen for his first appearance since being called up from Class A+ Frederick. The first pitch he threw was drilled to deep left by Ray Chang for a two-run double. Shortstop Jason White's throw to the plate skipped away from Donachie, allowing Chang to advance to third on the play. He would come home on a wild pitch by Gamboa, extending the Altoona lead to three.

"It's unfortunate I left a fastball up on my first pitch," Gamboa said. "I'm still happy to be in Bowie and I'm really looking forward to working hard and getting better here."

Right-hander Ramon Aguero worked the final two innings for the Curve to earn his second save of the season. He allowed a hit in each inning, but struck out four as Altoona improves to 5-10 against the Baysox this season.

The two teams continue their series tomorrow as RHP Ryohei Tanaka (3-2, 2.34) takes the mound against RHP Mike Crotta (6-7, 5.00) for the Curve. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and fans are encouraged to travel from galaxies far, far away to join the Baysox for Star Wars Night! Wookies, Ewoks and Stormtroopers are all welcome as fans will be treated to lightsaber battles on the field thanks to the members of the Old Line Garrison of the 501st Legion and the Terrapin Base of the Rebel Legion in movie-quality replica costumes!

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is going strong! 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 August 21, 2009


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