EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Longball Propels Baysox to Victory

Published on May 14, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - In a battle of chances the Baysox pitchers reigned supreme, making the most of their opportunities in a 6-1 win over Erie Thursday night at Prince George's Stadium. New Baysox third baseman Michael Costanzo went 2-4 with an RBI while right fielder Joe Nowicki hit a three run blast as the Baysox improve to 14-17 on the season.

Baysox starter Sean Gleason was making his fifth start for the Baysox and still looking to get his first win. The right-hander has run into some bad luck in his first four starts, but the ball finally bounced his way tonight against the SeaWolves. Gleason gave up a run in the first, but got out of the jam by getting Alex Avila to ground into an inning-ending double play to keep the deficit at one. Gleason ran into trouble again in the third, facing Avila again with the bases loaded and two out. The Erie catcher lined a ball off the inside of Gleason's ankle, kicking directly to Costanzo at third who threw across to end the SeaWolves threat.

"Sometimes the ball rolls your way," said Gleason of the fortunate hop. "Luck finally came my way tonight I guess."

The Baysox wasted little time jumping on the missed opportunity, tallying two runs in the bottom half of the third. Nowicki singled to start the inning off SeaWolves starter Luis Marte. Catcher Guillermo Rodriguez followed with his first home run of the season, a towering blast to deep left center to put the Baysox up 2-1. The Baysox would look to add to their lead later in the inning, putting two on with one out for Costanzo. Marte settled down to get Costanzo swinging, and SeaWolves center fielder Andy Dirks saved at least one run with a full extension diving grab to end the Baysox threat.

Gleason continued to tip-toe around trouble all night, as Erie looked for some two out magic in the fourth. After retiring the first two batters, Gleason allowed back-to-back singles by Santo De Leon and Joe Tucker before walking Scott Sizemore to load the bases. Gleason responded by getting reigning Eastern League Player of the Month to line out to Snyder at first, spoiling another golden opportunity for the SeaWolves.

"Tonight I got ahead of most guys," said the right-hander about his approach to the Erie lineup. "You hope those guys will get themselves out and they did."

The Baysox looked to add to their lead in the fifth, as center fielder Dave Krynzel and Dorta singled to start the inning. Snyder moved Krynzel to third with a long fly out to right, and Costanzo brought him home with his second hit of the game. Costanzo, acquired in the Miguel Tejada trade in 2007, said he feels comfortable knowing he has the Eastern League's leading hitter in front of him providing protection.

"You're definitely going to see a lot more good pitches," Costanzo said of Snyder's presence. "Hopefully he benefits from it and helps him out too."

Also making his Baysox debut was right-hander Ryan Ouellette, who came on in the sixth in place of Gleason. The Palm City, Florida native worked 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking two. Ouellette showed no fear in his first outing in Double-A, going right after the Erie hitters who looked to be aggressive early in the count.

"We talked a little bit about which guys could hurt us," said Ouellette of his approach. "I just stayed down and filled up the zone as much as I could.

Marte came back out for SeaWolves in the eighth, despite having already allowed ten hits and his pitch count nearing 100. Concepcion singled to lead off the inning, and one batter later left fielder Jonathan Tucker singled to put two men on for Nowicki. Erie manager Tom Brookens went to left-hander Josh Kite to face the left-handed Nowicki. The Baysox right fielder ran the count full before sitting on a fastball and crushing it over the right field fence. The blast was Nowicki's first as a member of the Baysox since being called up from Delmarva on April 21.

"He threw me the exact same pitch," said Nowicki after getting ahead in the count 3-0. "Fortunately I hit it out."

The blast was more than enough as manager Brad Komminsk went to his closer, left-hander Wilfrido Perez, to close the door on Erie. The southpaw shut Erie down over the final 1.2 innings, earning his sixth save of the season while extending his scoreless streak on the season to 14.2 innings.

The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow night starting at 5:35. RHP John Mariotti (0-0, 7.20) takes the mound for the Baysox in game one against RHP Jonah Nickerson (1-2, 7:04). Game two will be a battle of the bullpens as RHP Ryan Keefer (0-1, 7.43) goes up against Erie LHP Ramon Garcia (1-0, 4.96).

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! 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 May 14, 2009


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