Matusz Sparkles, Aeros Earn Split
July 2, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release
BOWIE, Md. - Baysox lefty Brian Matusz tossed a complete game shutout in 3-0 victory in game one, but Carlos Santana blasted the Aeros to victory in the night-cap as Akron held on 3-2. Matusz controlled Akron from the outset, striking out six while earning his third straight win and lowering his ERA to 0.49 on the season.
"I felt like I was in a groove from the beginning," Matusz said. "Today was one of those games where fastball location was great and I stuck with it."
Akron threatened early against the Baysox southpaw, as Akron loaded the bases with one out. Matusz responded by striking out Beau Mills on a late-breaking changeup for the second out of the inning, then getting Matt McBride looking on a two-seam fastball over the inside part of the plate.
The Bowie offense would come alive in the bottom of the fourth inning after Aeros starter Hector Rondon retired the first nine hitters he faced. Left fielder Jonathan Tucker started the rally with a leadoff single to center field, advancing to second on a groundout by shortstop Robert Valido. First baseman Eric Crozier followed with a towering blast into deep center field that short-hopped the base of the wall. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Crozier showed off his speed, hustling into third with his first triple of the season and giving the Baysox a 1-0 lead.
"It felt good to do something good against Akron," Crozier said of his former team. "I have a lot of old friends on that team over there."
Crozier came home on a double by third baseman Mike Costanzo, extending the lead to two. Second baseman Miguel Abreu followed with a double of his own to bring home the third run of the inning and tally his team-leading 26th RBI of the season.
Three runs would be more than enough for Matusz, who retired the last nine hitters he faced on route to his third victory in as many starts for the Baysox this season. The 22-year-old Matusz has been nearly unhittable since joining the team on June 15, holding hitters to a .154 average and striking out 21 in 18.1 innings of work.
In game two, the Baysox jumped out to an early lead in the first thanks in part to the speedy Tucker. One of four Baysox All-Stars, Tucker showed how valuable he is by drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second base. The steal was his 20th of the season, and would add another later in the game to give him a new career-high of 21 through just 75 games this season. After moving to third on a single by Crozier, Tucker came across to score his team-leading 42nd run of the season on a fielder's choice off the bat of Costanzo.
"Last year I didn't run that much because we had a power hitting team," Tucker said. "It's something that I really do take pride in and it's something I need to excel at to be successful."
Baysox starter Fredy Deza was cruising along before running into trouble in the fifth inning. Jose Constanza sliced a one out single to the opposite field in left. One batter later, Nicholas Weglarz followed with a single to right-center. Constanza rounded second and headed for third, sliding in safely despite a great throw from right fielder Dave Krynzel. Santana would make the most of the opportunity, crushing an 0-1 offering from Deza over the wall in right for his 12th home run of the season to put Akron in front 3-1.
Deza was dealt his third loss of the season, allowing three earned runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. Pitching Coach Larry McCall said despite one bad pitch, Deza threw the ball very well and has continued to be a valuable spot starter for the team throughout the season.
"He left a slider up (to Santana) and it cost him the game," McCall said. "He threw very well but made one bad pitch and it cost us the ballgame, it happens."
The Baysox tallied a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Abreu lined a two-out double into the opposite field in right. Pinch hitter Adam Donachie followed with an RBI single against Aeros closer Vinnie Pestano, closing the gap to one before center fielder Danny Figueroa struck out swinging to end the inning.
Pestano would come back on for the ninth, allowing a one out single to pinch hitter Ambiorix Concepcion before shutting the door on his league leading 22nd save of the season.
After splitting today's twin bill with Akron, the Baysox sit at 44-36 on the season, 8.5 games behind the Aeros for the Southern Division lead. Tomorrow RHP Tim Bascom (2-1, 3.75) takes on RHP Josh Tomlin (8-4, 4.12) in the rubber match of the five-game set at Prince George's Stadium. The Baysox invite you to come out and celebrate Independence Day and stay late for an extended fireworks display presented by Nighttime Care Associates.
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 July 2, 2009
- Matusz Sparkles, Aeros Earn Split - Chesapeake Baysox
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- Lebron Added to Roster - Chesapeake Baysox
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