EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Mahoney Doubles up Binghamton

Published on June 26, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - The Baysox avoided a sweep at the hands of the Binghamton Mets as they won the series finale 6-4 at home Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Baysox improve to 37-36 on the season.

The Baysox offense exploded for a season-high 15 hits and tied the season-high with six extra-base hits. First baseman Joe Mahoney hit three doubles in the game, becoming the first Baysox player this season to reach that mark. Mahoney also recorded an RBI and has driven in at least one run in four straight games.

"I thought we swung the ball well in New Britain and then we came home and the first two nights we faced off-speed guys and they tied us up in knots and we did a much better job with runners on base," said Manager Gary Kendall. "We didn't strand nearly as many runners, which was one big thing. For two games the bats didn't come alive, but I'm glad it was just for two games, I hope we continue double-digit type hitting situations."

Right-handed starting pitcher Alfredo Simon, who was pitching in Bowie on a Major League rehab assignment, pitched two scoreless innings to start the game and allowed just one hit while striking out three. Left-handed pitcher Mike Ballard replaced Simon in the third inning and pitched five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out seven and earning the win.

"It's one of those things where you are never entirely prepared for it [coming out of the bullpen] but you just have to adjust on the fly," Ballard said. "It's definitely a little different, but you just have to come in there and pitch your game. Being a starting pitcher you are accustomed to your routine, but I was able to get some time to play catch and get loose and for the most part it just felt like a normal start."

The Baysox jumped out to an early lead in the first inning against Mets starter Matt Harvey, who was making his Double-A debut. Right fielder Buck Britton hit a one out triple to right field and then was knocked in by a sacrifice fly to right field by left fielder L.J. Hoes that gave the Baysox a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Baysox added another run. With one out, Britton singled to right field. Mahoney then hit a double down the left field line that scored Britton and made it a 2-0 game.

Binghamton got on the board in the fourth inning. Ballard hit both Brahiam Maldonado and Allan Dykstra to start the inning and the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Eric Campbell reached on a fielding error by second baseman Greg Miclat and Maldonado scored from third to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Baysox added two more runs in the fifth inning. Shortstop Pedro Florimon led off with a single up the middle and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Xavier Avery. Britton then drew a walk and Hoes hit an RBI single to right field that scored Florimon. On the play, Britton was thrown out at third base. The Baysox then loaded the bases on a ground rule double to left field by Mahoney and a walk to designated hitter Robbie Widlansky. Harvey was then removed from the game and Erik Turgeon came in. He threw a wild pitch that allowed Hoes to score from third to make it a 4-1 game.

In the sixth inning, the Mets answered right back. Maldonado led off with a triple to center field and then scored on a ground out by Dykstra. With two outs in the inning, Raul Reyes doubled to right field and Eric Campbell hit a single to right field that scored Reyes and cut the lead to 4-3.

The Baysox got one run back in the sixth inning against Brad Holt. Third baseman Brandon Waring and Florimon each singled to put runners at first and third with one out. Avery then knocked in Waring with a sacrifice fly to left field to make the score 5-3.

In the seventh inning, the Baysox added another run. Hoes led off with a single through the hole at second base and then stole second base. After Mahoney struck out, Widlansky lined a single into right field that scored Hoes and extended the lead to 6-3.

The Mets continued to battle deep into the game and never let the Baysox get a comfortable lead. Maldanado again cut the lead to two runs in the eighth inning with a lead off home run to left field against left-handed pitcher Pedro Viola that made the score 6-4.

Viola pitched one inning in relief of Ballard and allowed one earned run on two hits while also issuing a walk. Right-handed reliever Armando Gabino recorded his third save of the season as he pitched a perfect ninth inning to finish the game for the Baysox.

Britton and Hoes, who hit second and third in the batting order Sunday afternoon, provided a spark at the top of the Baysox order. The two combined to score four runs, and Hoes also recorded two RBIs while Britton hit a triple.

"He's [Britton] played in left field for us and we gave [Ronnie] Welty a day off and thought we could get a little offense out of him in right and he was a spark early in the game," Kendall said. "Even when he [Hoes] was down around .220 he was swinging the bad pretty well, but right now he seems to be finding ways to get on. I was hesitant to put him in the three-hole because it's a lot of pressure on a young kid, but one thing that he's done is he's been able to drive in runs."

Britton joined the team in late May and while he started slow, his play is beginning to improve and he has raised his batting average to .288.

"I got off to a slow start," Britton said. "Anytime you move a level, whether the talent's better or not, in your head you have to kind of slow the game down. I'm just trying to put good swings on the ball and find some holes."

Monday, RHP Tim Bascom (3-2, 3.50) takes the mound for the Baysox as they travel to Akron to take on the Aeros. His opponent will be LHP Matt Packer (2-8, 5.60)

The team begins a seven-game road trip Monday, June 27 and returns home Monday, July 4 for a four game home stand that features their Independence Day Celebration.

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Eastern League Stories from June 26, 2011


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