EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Hughes Huge in Fifth Straight Win

Published on June 12, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md - The Baysox (28-34) bats came alive as the team combined for seven extra-base hits in a 11-6 win against the Portland Sea Dogs (27-36) Tuesday evening. The Baysox have now won a season-high five games in a row.

First baseman Rhyne Hughes has provided a spark for the Baysox offense since joining the team before the beginning of their last road trip. In seven games, he is batting .379 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs. He doubled twice, hit a solo home run and drove in three runs Tuesday.

"I got a couple good pitches to hit and I put a couple good swings on them," Hughes said. "It definitely wasn't just me tonight though - we had 18 hits and everybody was swinging the bat well."

The Baysox offense was clicking on all cylinders as they tied season-highs with 11 runs and 18 hits. Each hitter in the Baysox starting lineup recorded at least one hit.

"There has been some life in the line-up lately," said Manager Gary Kendall. "We had an addition to the middle of the lineup in Hughes and right now he is doing a great job in the three-hole and that is taking some pressure off guys and allowing guys to move into some spots where they are a little more comfortable. It just seems like even in our losses in Portland, the hits have been balanced throughout the lineup, whereas early in the year this guy would get three, this guy would get one and we wouldn't get anything after that."

Bowie got off to a strong start in the bottom of the first inning against Portland starter Stolmy Pimentel. Center fielder Antoan Richardson drew a lead off walk and moved to third base when right fielder Buck Britton singled to right field. Hughes plated both runners when he doubled to left field and he scored when designated hitter Robbie Widlansky followed with a double to right field to make the score 3-0.

Portland got one run back against Baysox starter Bobby Bundy in the top of the second inning. Zach Gentile reached on a fielding error by Hughes and scored when Peter Hissey hit a two-out double to left field to make the score 3-1.

The Baysox extended their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Widlansky hit a lead off single to shortstop and moved to second base when shortstop Manny Machado singled to left field. Widlansky advanced to third base when third baseman Brandon Waring flied out to center field and he scored on a ground out by second baseman Jonathan Schoop that extended the lead to 4-1.

The Sea Dogs answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Derrik Gibson drew a lead off walk and advanced all the way to third base after a passed ball and a wild pitch. With one out, Gibson scored on a ground out by Ryan Dent that made the score 4-2.

Bowie added several insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against Portland reliever Marco Duarte. Machado hit a lead off bunt single to the pitcher and Waring followed with a walk. With one out, left fielder Josh Barfield drew a walk to load the bases and catcher Allan de San Miguel cleared the bases with a double to left field that made the score 7-2.

Portland came storming back in the top of the sixth inning against Baysox reliever Chris Petrini. Dent hit a one out single to right field and Juan Carlos Linares followed with a single to left field. Reynaldo Rodriguez drew a walk to load the bases and Bryce Brentz then hit a grand slam to right field to bring the Sea Dogs within one run at 7-6.

The Baysox tacked on three more runs to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning against Portland reliever Jesse Carlson. Widlansky hit a lead off double to right field and Waring followed with a one out double to right field that plated Widlansky. Schoop then recorded the third extra-base hit of the inning when he tripled to right field to plate Waring. Schoop later scored on a single by Barfield to give the Baysox a 10-6 lead.

Hughes added another run for the Baysox in the bottom of the seventh inning when he hit a solo home run off Caleb Clay to center field to make the score 11-6.

Bundy pitched four and one-third innings and allowed two unearned runs on five hits while striking out six batters and walking five in the no decision. Petrini pitched two innings and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out two batters and walking two more. Right-handed reliever Kyler Newby pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings while walking one batter in the win. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola pitched the ninth inning for the Baysox.

Pimentel takes the loss for the Sea Dogs as he pitched four innings and allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out four batters and walking three.

The Baysox are home through Sunday, June 17 for a six game home stand. Some of the highlights include Legends of Wrestling Night with Bret "The Hitman" Hart Wednesday, June 13 and a 20th season logo pint glass giveaway presented by the City of Bowie Thursday, June 14.

RHP Zach Clark (3-4, 3.36) is scheduled to take the mound for the Baysox tomorrow in game two of the three game series against the Portland Sea Dogs. He will be opposed by RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-1, 5.84).

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 20th season is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

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Eastern League Stories from June 12, 2012


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