Constanza Catapults Aeros Over Baysox
July 18, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release
Akron, Oh. - The top of the Aeros lineup proved too much for the Baysox as they were downed by Akron 5-3. Jose Constanza, Akron's speedy leadoff man, reached in all five of his plate appearances while stealing two bases, scoring two runs and driving in another to pace the attack. With the loss, the Baysox drop to 52-42 on the season and 6.0 games behind Akron for the Southern Division lead.
The Aeros brought home a single run in the bottom of the first inning against Baysox starter Ryohei Tanaka. Constanza walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second with his 25th stolen base of the season. Carlos Santana brought him across with a two-out RBI double, giving Santana his 61st RBI of the season and giving Akron a 1-0 advantage.
The Baysox came back with a two-spot in the top of the third inning to take the lead against right-hander Jeanmar Gomez. Shortstop Jason White singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Jonathan Tucker. Center fielder Danny Figueroa followed with an RBI single to tie the score at one and advanced to third when the ball skipped past Mickey Hall in right for an error. First baseman Eric Crozier brought home Figueroa with a sacrifice fly as the Baysox found themselves on top 2-1.
The lead would not last as Akron tallied two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning off Tanaka. Three consecutive singles to start the inning pushed the tying run across the board, while an RBI single by Constanza put Akron ahead. Tanaka left after 4.0 innings of work, allowing a season-high three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two.
The Baysox offense got him off the hook in the fifth inning as the two teams continued to go back and forth. White singled with one out in the inning and advanced to second on a single by Tucker. Figueroa followed with his second RBI single of the game, scoring White and giving the Baysox center fielder his ninth hit in his last eleven at-bats. A wild pitch by Gomez advanced the runners into scoring position with one out, but the Baysox could not capitalize as two straight line drives by Crozier and right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion were snagged to end the inning.
Akron took back the lead in the bottom of the sixth as the Baysox bullpen struggled to find the strike zone. Cristo Arnal walked with one out to start the inning against right-hander James Hoey. Constanza followed with his second hit of the game to put runners on first and second, as Baysox skipper Brad Komminsk went to his bullpen for left-hander Chad Thall. The southpaw struggled to find the plate, walking Nick Weglarz before issuing a free pass to Santana to force home the go-ahead run.
They would add an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out against Baysox right-hander Ryan Ouellette. Beau Mills laced an RBI single, scoring Constanza who walked to start the inning.
That would be all the Aeros needed, as right-handers Carlton Smith and Josh Judy shut out the Baysox over the final three innings to seal the victory. Smith, an Eastern League All-Star, earned his fourth hold of the season while Judy earned his third save.
The two teams close out the series tomorrow with a 1:35 finale at Canal Park in Akron.
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 July 18, 2009
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