EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Peterson Buries \'Sox Before Diamond Dig

Published on July 31, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


(Bowie, MD) - The Baysox got a great outing from starter Zach Clark but could not provide the runs to complete a four-game sweep of the Rock Cats, dropping Thursday night's series finale 3-2. Clark worked 7.0 innings of two-run ball, giving up four hits and two walks while racking up seven strikeouts. The seven innings and strikeouts were both season highs for Clark, who has made only four starts for Bowie since being promoted from Class High-A Frederick. Rock Cats first baseman Brock Peterson single-handedly lifted New Britain to victory, driving in all three Rock Cats runs, including two solo homers.

The Baysox jumped on the Rock Cats in the bottom of the first inning when Lou Montanez hit a two-out single up the middle. The single extended Montanez's season-long hitting streak to 15 games. Montanez moved to second on a passed ball by Drew Butera and Nolan Reimold plated him with a single to right field to give the Baysox a 1-0 lead.

The Rock Cats scratched a run back in the top of the fourth inning when Danny Valencia hit a two-out single to left field. Erik Lis pulled a base hit through the hole between first and second to put runners on first and third with two outs. Brock Peterson picked up his first RBI on the night with a dribbler to third base that went for an infield hit to tie the game at 1-1.

Clark settled into a nice groove after the first Rock Cats run, retiring the next eight batters in order, whiffing four batters, including striking out the side in the top of the sixth. Clark was pleased with his performance, especially that he could work so deep into the game, "I felt pretty good, I usually don't get that many strikeouts. I'd prefer more ground balls actually. With strikeouts, I have to throw more pitches and I'd rather get them done with one or two pitches. I was pleased going seven innings, I don't really care about strikeouts. If they swing and miss, great, but I'm just trying to get guys to ground out early in the count. I'd rather go nine innings with no strikeouts, but I pitched well tonight."

The Baysox put their nose in front with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Sebastien Boucher was hit by pitch to lead off and Carlos Rojas hit a single to right-center field. Boucher was running on the pitch and made it all the way to third. With Montanez at the plate, Jeff Manship threw a wild pitch that allowed Boucher to score and give Bowie a 2-1 lead.

Clark made one mistake in the top of the seventh, and he did it to the wrong hitter Thursday. Brock Peterson drove a 1-0 fastball well over the wall in left field to tie the game at 2-2.

Despite the mistake pitch, Baysox pitching coach Mike Griffin was also happy with the effort from Clark, "I think Zach's done a very good job, he got deep into the game tonight which was very nice to see. There were a lot of things that pleased me tonight but the most pleasing to me was that he got deep into the game for us. His sinker was working and I thought he changed speeds pretty well to keep them a little bit off balance which was nice to see. His approach was aggressive, which is Zach's game, so it's good that he continues to do that."

Gerardo Casadiego came on for Clark in the eighth inning and worked a perfect frame. He came out for the top of the ninth and looked to be in great form, striking out the first two batters he faced, but then Peterson came up. He lashed an 0-1 pitch over the wall in dead center field to give the Rock Cats a 3-2 lead.

The Baysox mounted a threat in the bottom of the ninth. Blake Davis came up with the bases empty and no outs and laid down a bunt single to second base. It was a heads-up play and a good bunt, Davis had noticed the defense giving him room in his last turn at bat, "I saw the second baseman playing over toward the middle and their first baseman was playing back. Every time I face this team it seems like they give me that room so I just got up and tried to make something happen."

Matt Wieters smacked a pinch-hit single up the middle to put runners on first and second with one out, but Ben Julianel retired the next two batters he faced to earn his 23rd save of the year.

With the loss, the Baysox move to 64-49, second place in the Southern Division. The Baysox look to start a new winning streak in Altoona on Friday with RHP Jason Berken (9-3, 3.49 ERA) against Altoona RHP Derek Hankins (1-7, 4.15 ERA).

Thursday night was also the Miss Utility Diamond Dig at Prince George's Stadium, where Ryan Circh from Baltimore won a one-carat diamond valued in excess of $4,500. Circh beat out 49 other diggers by unearthing the diamond from the infield dirt following the conclusion of the game. The Baysox will return to Bowie for a seven-game homestand beginning Monday, August 4 against New Britain.

The Bowie Baysox are in their 16th season as the "AA" affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Baysox individual game tickets, season ticket plans, group outings, picnics and birthday parties are currently available for booking by calling the Baysox front office at (301) 464-4880.

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Eastern League Stories from July 31, 2008


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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