EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Miclat Steals Past Fisher Cats

Published on August 7, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Baysox second basemen Greg Miclat set a franchise record with four stolen bases as the Baysox defeated the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 5-3 Sunday evening. With the win, the Baysox improve to 63-51 and remain in second place in the Western Division, half a game behind the Harrisburg Senators.

With the stolen bases, Miclat now has 46 stolen bases in 48 attempts on the season, the third most any Bowie player has stolen in a season. The speedster trails Willie Harris, who stole 54 bases in 2001, and Curtis Goodwin, who stole 59 bases in 1994. He has 50 between two seasons with the Baysox, which ranks eighth in franchise history.

"[McGuire's] time to the plate was anywhere between 1.35 and 1.4 seconds and I was trying to get the best jump I could, run in certain counts where I will be most successful," Miclat said. "The righty didn't pick over too much, but it's all just getting comfortable and trusting your eyes. When he picks up to go to the plate, you have to trust your eyes to react quickly."

Left-handed starting pitcher Mike Ballard pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 10 batters for his seventh win of the season. Ballard has struck out 10 or more batters three times this season and is currently tied for the team-high in wins.

"I was able to locate my fastball and I feel like that's one of the biggest keys to pitching - if you are able to locate your fastball down in the zone, everything kind of works off it," Ballard said. "[Catcher] Caleb [Joseph] was great back there and kept us in the game long enough to get some offense going. One of the biggest things with pitching is when your team scores to put up a zero when you go back out there."

They Baysox took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Buck Britton drew a lead off walk and Joseph followed with an RBI double to right field to give the Baysox a 1-0 lead. Designated hitter Steve Lerud executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Joseph to third base and shortstop Pedro Florimon drew a walk to put runners on the corners, but right fielder Ronnie Welty and center fielder Xavier Avery both struck out to end the inning.

In the fifth inning, the Fisher Cats took their first lead of the game. With one out, John Tolisano struck out, but reached first base on a wild pitch. Jonathan Diaz followed with a walk to put runners at first and second base and Adeiny Hechavarria lined a double to left field that scored both base runners and gave the Fisher Cats a 2-1 lead.

The Baysox took the lead right back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Miclat and LJ Hoes drew back-to-back walks with two outs and Joe Mahoney lifted a two-run double into right center field that gave the Baysox a 3-2 lead. Steve Lerud added to the Baysox lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run down the right field line to make the score 4-2.

In the seventh inning, the Baysox added another run. Miclat led off with a single and then stole his fourth base of the game, before advancing to third base on a ground out by Hoes. Mahoney lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for his third RBI, extending the lead to 5-2.

Yan Gomes cut into the lead in the top of the ninth inning with a lead off home run to center field to cut the lead to 5-3, but Eddie Gamboa would then retire the next three batters of the inning to secure his third save of the season.

The Baysox were outhit by the Fisher Cats 8-6, but they made their hits count, converting them into five runs. For the second night in a row, the team came through with some very timely hitting to stay ahead of the talented Fisher Cats offense.

"Mahoney hit a two-run double and a big sac fly off a left-hander - a big run there," said Manager Gary Kendall. "We got a big hit by Joseph to get us on the board, Lerud stayed on a change-up for a home run. There were a lot of unselfish at bats; we moved runners. Lerud is up [in the second inning] and knows the importance of a run and we wind of scoring as a result of the bunt."

In addition to Miclat's four stolen bases, Hoes and Welty each swiped a bag, giving the team six on the evening and tying the season-high for stolen bases in a game. The Baysox, who lead the Eastern League in stolen bases, stole eight bags in the series.

After an off day Monday, RHP Tim Bascom (7-2, 3.24) takes the mound for the Baysox as they travel to Reading to take on the Phillies. His opponent will be RHP Austin Hyatt (10-5, 3.76).

The team begins a three game road trip to Reading Tuesday, August 9 before returning home for three games Friday, August 12. The home stand includes Family Campout Friday, August 12, the Football Kickoff Party Saturday, August 13 and Diamond Dig Sunday, August 14. All three games of the home stand also include a fireworks display.

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Eastern League Stories from August 7, 2011


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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