EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Guzman Gobbles Up Baysox

Published on July 8, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Second baseman Miguel Abreu collected his team-leading 29th multi-hit game of the season, but it was not enough as the Baysox fell to Harrisburg 7-4. Joel Guzman had five hits for the Senators, the first time the Baysox have allowed a five hit game since Reading's Nick Espy accomplished the feat on August 31, 2003. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 47-39 on the season and 9.0 games behind Southern Division leader Akron.

Harrisburg got on the board quickly, tallying a run in the first against Baysox starter Tim Bascom. The Senators started the game with back-to-back singles by Michael Daniel and Ian Desmond to put a runner in scoring position with nobody out. Bascom induced Bill Rhinehart to ground into a double-play, but Guzman lined a base hit up the middle to give his team an early 1-0 advantage.

"I battled tonight just like I did in my last start," Bascom said. "There were two innings tonight where I had low pitch counts and I need to do that every time."

The Baysox tied the game in the third inning against Harrisburg starter Erik Arnesen. Right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion led off with a double, and advanced to third on a flyout by designated hitter Brandon Pinckney. Guillermo Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly, tying the score at one and giving the Baysox catcher his 19th RBI of the season.

The Senators came right back in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs and taking a 3-1 lead. Guzman got things started with a one out double off the base of the wall in left field. One batter later, Ofilio Castro laced an RBI double into deep center, scoring Guzman and putting Harrisburg back on top. Matt Whitney followed with a blooper off the end of the bat to right field. Concepcion started back and could not recover in time to make the play as Castro came across with the third run of the game. All three hits in the inning came when Bascom fell behind in the count, something he knows he has to improve as he makes the transition to Double-A hitters.

"You know guys up here will hit mistakes every time," Bascom said. "I got burned on that a couple times tonight and not get into that situation."

Bascom left after 6.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. The right-hander did not walk a batter and struck out four, and his ERA now sits at 3.75 on the season. After walking nine in a 12-3 loss to Altoona on Monday, Baysox pitchers have not allowed a free pass in their last 18.1 innings of work.

Harrisburg exploded for four runs in the seventh inning, as right-hander Fredy Deza struggled in his return to the bullpen. After making a start in four of his last five appearances, the right-hander failed to record an out. He allowed the first three batters to reach base on a base hit and two walks, loading the bases as left-hander Chad Thall came on to try and quell the Harrisburg rally. Thall allowed back-to-back RBI singles by Daniel and Desmond, before striking out Rhinehart for the first out of the inning. Guzman followed with his fourth hit of the game, a two-run single to extend the lead to 7-2.

Despite the loss, Thall was excited to learn he had been named to the Eastern League All-Star team as a replacement for right-hander Josh Perrault.

"It's really an honor to be in the All-Star Game," Thall said. "It's my first one so I'm pretty excited about it."

Down five runs, the Baysox looked to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning. Third baseman Mike Costanzo led off with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Abreu. After Arnesen walked center fielder Dave Krynzel to load the bases, right-hander Josh Wilkie came on to try and get the Senators out of trouble. Concepcion grounded into a fielder's choice to score a run, and Pinckney roped an RBI single into center field to bring the Baysox within three. With the tying run at the plate, Wilkie came back to retire Rodriguez on a fly out to left before striking out shortstop Robert Valido to end the inning.

One bright spot for the Baysox was the return of Zach Clark, who made his return to Bowie after struggling with injuries to begin the season. The right-hander worked the final 2.0 innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out one in his return to Prince George's Stadium.

"It felt good to be back under the lights in a place I'm familiar with," Clark said. "There was a little bit of adrenaline going out there but it all came back to me pretty quick."

Harrisburg left-hander Yunior Novoa came on to work the final two innings for the Senators, picking up his second save of the season. He allowed the tying run to come to the plate in the eighth inning, but struck out pinch hitter Adam Donachie to keep the Harrisburg lead in tact.

The two teams will close out the series tomorrow with a 12:05 p.m. finale at Prince George's Stadium. RHP Ryohei Tanaka (0-0, 0.00) makes his second start of the season against Harrisburg LHP Cory VanAllen (2-4, 5.97).

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 8, 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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