EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Erbe Dazzles But Baysox Fall Short

Published on April 17, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, MD - Baltimore native Brandon Erbe was nearly perfect through six innings in his first start at Prince George's Stadium. The young right-hander allowed one hit but took the loss to Akron righty Josh Tomlin. After Erbe retired the first eleven hitters he faced, an error by first baseman Brandon Snyder gave the Aeros a second chance. Carlos Santana responded by smashing a two run homer to right as the Baysox eventually fell to the Aeros 3-1. The loss drops them to 5-4 on the season and one and a half games behind Akron for the Eastern League South lead.

Erbe had everything going, working his fastball inside on the Akron hitters and mixing in changeups and sliders to keep them off balance. He struck out the side on eleven pitches in the third inning, but ran into some trouble thanks to a defensive miscue by Baysox first baseman Brandon Snyder.

With two outs and Erbe cruising, Akron first baseman Beau Mills hit a chopper to Snyder. Snyder got caught in between hops as the ball bounced between his legs to put a runner on first with two outs. Erbe's next pitch was his only mistake of the night, a first pitch changeup to Santana who promptly pulled it over the wall just inside the foul pole in right field to put the Aeros on top 2-1.

"He didn't throw a bad pitch," catcher Guillermo Rodriguez said after the game. "It was a good changeup down and away and Santana is a great hitter and you have to tip your cap to him."

The 23-year-old right-hander settled down, allowing just one base runner in the fourth and fifth innings before Ryan Keefer came on in relief. Four of Erbe's eight strikeouts were called third strikes, a good indication that he was keeping the Aeros guessing.

"It was a positive outing for him even though he took the loss," said pitching coach Larry McCall after the game. "He threw outstanding aside from one pitch."

His outing impressed catcher Guillermo Rodriguez, who had the chance to catch 2009 NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum when he was with the Giants organization before signing with Baltimore before the season.

"He's a guy that reminds me a lot of Tim Lincecum when I caught him at Triple-A (Fresno) and in the big leagues." said Rodriguez. "I've seen a lot of good young guys and we've got a pretty good one here."

In addition to great pitching, the Baysox defense also helped keep them in the game with outstanding defense. With two outs in the second, left fielder Jeff Fiorentino layed out to grab a looping line drive off the bat of Niuman Romero. Not to be outdone, second baseman Miguel Abreu went vertical to grab a ball hit by John Drennen to end the seventh.

The Baysox got on the board first when Dave Krynzel scorched a ball between first and second for a one out single. One batter later, Krynzel stole second to put himself in scoring position. The stolen base was Krynzel's fourth on the year, which is the most in the Eastern League. Melvin Dorta followed with a line drive single to left field and the Baysox took the lead 1-0.

Dave Krynzel has started the season off well after missing most of the last two seasons with injury. In addition to leading the league in steals, he also ranks second on the team in runs scored, second in RBI and leads the team in walks.

The Aeros tallied an insurance run off Keefer in the eighth inning after Jose Constanza was hit by a pitch and stole second with two outs in the inning. Carlos Rivero singled him home to put the Aeros up 3-1.

The Baysox tried to get back in it in the ninth off Aeros closer Vinnie Pestano. Rodriguez doubled down the right field line with two outs and moved to third on a passed ball. Miguel Abreu walked to bring the go ahead run to the plate in the form of Krynzel. Krynzel battled to a full count off the side-armed Pestano, before breaking his bat on a one hopper to second baseman Josh Rodriguez who flipped it to second for the force to quell the Baysox surge.

Baysox leadoff hitter Paco Figueroa saw his team long seven game hitting streak come to an end thanks in part to a leaping grab by third baseman Niuman Romero in the sixth. Figueroa is now hitting .313 on the season and leads the Eastern League in doubles with six and his six runs are good enough for fourth.

Tomorrow the two teams will go at it again as Baysox LHP Bobby Livingston (1-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound against Akron RHP Steven Wright (1-0, 3.60 ERA). Game time is set for 7:05 at Prince George's Stadium.

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! 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 April 17, 2009


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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