EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Hammond, Cliffords Pitch In As Baysox Lose, 13-6

July 10, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - The Baysox three-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Sunday, as they fell to the New Britain Rock Cats, 13-6, before 4,253 at Prince George's Stadium.

The Rock Cats scratched out 16 hits against seven different Baysox pitchers.

New Britain started the scoring in the fourth, when they tagged Hayden Penn for two runs. But the Baysox battled back to move ahead, 3-2, on a three-run home run by Simon Pond in the bottom of the fifth. It was Pond's team-leading 11th homer of the season.

But the Baysox' lead was short-lived, as New Britain put up six runs in the sixth inning. Daniel Matienzo started the onslaught with a two-run homer off Penn (3-4). Penn left the game two batters later, but Scott Rice gave up four more hits in the frame. The Baysox suddenly found themselves trailing 8-3.

The Baysox closed to within four in the bottom of the inning. Eugene Kingsale scored from second when shortstop Tommy Watkins booted a Peter Bergeron grounder.

New Britain increased its lead to 12-4 with a four-run eighth, highlighted by Felix Molina's three-run home run. Molina drove in four RBI on the night.

A run-scoring single by Bergeron and an RBI groundout by Pond made it 12-6. Pond finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate with four runs driven in.

The highlight of the game may have come in the top of the ninth. Joey Hammond, who had started the game at third base, took the mound for his second pitching appearance of the season. James Tomlin greeted him with a home run to left, and Hammond gave up a single before recording the first out of the inning.

Manager Don Werner then called to the bullpen, where outfielder Woody Cliffords was warming up for the first pitching appearance of his career. Cliffords gave up a walk, but got the final two outs of the inning.

Tonight's game is believed to be the first time in Baysox history that two position players have taken the mound.

BAYSOX NOTES: The Baysox honored Maryland's Firefighters and Fallen Heroes on HeroSox night. Lieutenant-Governor Michael Steele was present for a pre-game ceremony that promoted the fundraising efforts of the Maryland Fire-Rescue Memorial Services...RHP Jason Grimsley started the game for the Baysox and threw a perfect first in his lone inning of work...LHP Erik Bedard will not be making a rehab start on Monday. RHP Cory Morris will start in his place.... Kingsale stole second in the sixth inning, giving him 58 thefts in a Baysox uniform. That puts him just one behind Curtis Goodwin for third on the team's all-time list.

ON DECK: The Baysox hope to head into the All-Star break on a winning note as the take on the Rock Cats at 11:05 a.m. on Monday. Morris (5-2, 2.55) will take on RHP Justin Olson (6-7, 4.71).




Eastern League Stories from July 10, 2005


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