EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Offense Struggles as Cats Beat Baysox

Published on August 13, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - New Hampshire erupted for a five-run first inning and never looked back, downing the Baysox 6-2 Thursday night in Bowie. Third baseman Josh Bell continued his torrid pace since joining the Baysox lineup, reaching base three times for the third consecutive game. With the loss the Baysox fall to 61-56 on the season, but remain 2.5 games behind Reading for second place in the Southern Division.

Baysox right-hander Tim Bascom struggled from the start, allowing back-to-back singles by Todd Donovan and Manny Mayorson to lead off the game. A wild pitch advanced the runners into scoring position, and Brad Emaus followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to put New Hampshire on the board. Walks to David Cooper and Adam Calderone loaded the bases, but Bascom got Darin Mastroianni looking for the second out of the inning. Jeroloman followed with an opposite field single to left, scoring two runs and putting runners at the corners with two outs. Nick Gorneault followed with an RBI single, and Jonathan Diaz singled to make the score 5-0 before being thrown out trying to advance to second on the throw.

"If I had to describe my outing in two words, they would be 'uncomfortable' and 'awkward'," Bascom said. "My bullpen session was exactly where I wanted it to be but it just didn't carry over to the game."

New Hampshire added a single run in the third off Bascom, as Jeroloman singled home Mastroianni to extend the lead to six. Bascom finished the inning but was replaced by Zach Clark to start the fourth, allowing six earned runs on six hits, walking four and striking out two.

Clark and right-hander Fredy Deza combined with left-hander Chad Thall to hold the Fisher Cats bats in check the rest of the way. Clark worked 3.0 innings allowing two hits and striking out four in relief of Bascom, pitching for the second night in a row for the second time this season.

"We talk about the feel for pitching, and I felt like I had it tonight," Clark said. "Now I just have to keep it."

Deza came on to replace Clark in the seventh inning, working two perfect innings while striking out two. Thall came on to work a scoreless ninth, walking a batter and striking out another while lowering his ERA to 2.82 for the season.

New Hampshire starter Luis Perez was at his best, allowing one ball out of the infield through his first five innings of work. Bell had the only Baysox hit through the first seven innings of play

The Baysox offense finally got things going in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs and left fielder Jonathan Tucker on first after a fielders choice, center fielder Danny Figueroa drew a walk to put two men on for Bell. Fisher Cats manager Gary Cathcart went to his bullpen for left-hander Edgar Estanga, and Bell greeted him with a rocket into left field for an RBI single. Catcher Steve Torrealba followed with an RBI single to make the score 6-2, but the Baysox failed to bring any more runs across as first baseman Eric Crozier struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The switch hitting Bell had little trouble adjusting to swinging from the right-side of the plate, roping two singles to left and drawing a walk on the night. Despite the perception that he is more efficient from the left-side, the 22-year-old reaped the rewards of the hard work he has put in from the right-side.

"After the first hit I loosened up, because going into the game I really wasn't satisfied with the way I was swinging from the right-side" Bell said. "For me to come in and get some hits from the right-side is pretty gratifying."

After getting Crozier to end the eighth inning, Fisher Cats right-hander Danny Farquhar stayed in for the ninth. He allowed a one out walk to designated hitter Paco Figueroa, but got Tucker to go down swinging to earn his 10th save of the season.

Tomorrow, the Portland Sea Dogs come to town for a three-game set with the Baysox at Prince George's Stadium. In a rematch of last Saturday's Futures at Fenway contest, RHP Steve Johnson (0-1, 4.00) takes the hill for the Baysox against LHP Felix Doubront (6-4, 3.68) for the Sea Dogs. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. as the Baysox celebrate Navy Night at the Stadium. It will also be Family Campout Night, as the Baysox invite you to bring your whole family out for a "staycation" on the field at Prince George's Stadium.

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is going strong! 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 August 13, 2009


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