EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Joseph Walk-Off Caps Baysox Comeback

Published on August 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - The Baysox dug themselves out of a four run hole to come back and beat the Harrisburg Senators 5-4 in walk-off fashion after catcher Caleb Joseph's game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth Saturday. With the win and a loss by Richmond, the Baysox Wild Card lead increases to five games.

"I have been in that spot maybe once or twice this year and I haven't gotten it done so I really tried to relax," Joseph said. "I was just trying to hit it in the outfield. We had a lot of guys do a lot of really good things in that inning. After we got two runners on, we felt like the game is really moving in our direction. I was just the lucky one who go to be the by product of the last at-bat."

The Baysox offense didn't have any trouble getting on base, recording 14 hits, but struggled to come through with clutch hits early in the game. The team hit just 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position, but was still able to score five unanswered runs to win after falling behind 4-0 in the fifth inning.

"It didn't look good early, but we battled back with a couple runs here and a couple runs there," said Manager Gary Kendall. "We kept it close and it was a good job by everyone that participated."

Harrisburg took their first lead of the series in the top of the third inning when Brian Goodwin hit a solo home run into right field against Baysox starter Tim Bascom to give the Senators a 1-0 lead.

The Senators extended their lead in the top of the fifth inning after Bascom got into some two-out trouble. Goodwin doubled to right field and Jose Lozada followed with a walk before Baysox reliever Robert Hinton replaced him on the mound. Hinton issued a walk to Anthony Rendon to load the bases and Justin Bloxom followed with a triple to center field to clear the bases and give Harrisburg a 4-0 lead.

The Baysox got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth inning against Harrisburg starter Brian Broderick. First baseman Rhyne Hughes hit a lead off single to center field and third baseman Zelous Wheeler followed with a double to left field that moved Hughes to third base. Hughes scored when right fielder Jai Miller singled to right field and Wheeler scored when left fielder Ty Kelly hit a two-out single to make the score 4-2.

Bowie cut into the lead again in the bottom of the sixth inning. Joseph hit a one out double to center field and scored when Wheeler hit a two-out single to right field to make the score 4-3. Harrisburg reliever Jimmy Barthmaier replaced Broderick on the mound to finish the inning.

The Baysox came back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning against Harrisburg reliever Pat McCoy. Second baseman Buck Britton drew a lead off walk and Joseph followed with a single to center field that moved Britton to second base. Hughes moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt and Zech Zinicola then replaced McCoy on the mound. Wheeler then plated Britton with a single to center field to tie the game 4-4 before Zinicola retired to next two batters to get out of the inning.

Bowie continued their comeback with fireworks in the bottom of the ninth inning. Schoop drew a lead off walk and Kelly followed with a single to left field. Hughes advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt and Britton was intentionally walked to load the bases. Facing a defensive shift that positioned the right fielder in front of second base, Joseph launched a single into left field on the field pitch to score Schoop and seal the 5-4 win for the Baysox.

Bascom pitched four and two-thirds innings and allowed three runs on four hits while striking out seven batters and walking one in the no decision. Hinton pitched three and one-third innings and allowed one run on two hits while striking out three batters and walking one. Left-handed reliever Mike Belfiore pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win for the Baysox.

Zinicola pitched one inning and allowed one run on three hits while striking out two and walking to as he earned the blown save and the loss.

RHP Dylan Bundy (1-0, 3.18) takes the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as the team plays the final game in a four game home series with the Harrisburg Senators beginning at 2:05 p.m. He will be opposed by RHP Chien Ming-Wang (1-4, 5.17).

The Baysox are home through Thursday, August 30 for the final eight game homestand of the season. The activities include Fan Appreciation Day Sunday, August 26 beginning at 2:05 p.m. and Mutt Monday, August 27 beginning at 7:05 p.m. and Tailgate Tuesday, August 28 at 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from August 25, 2012


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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