EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

R-Phils Sweep Doubleheader from Baysox

Published on June 23, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


Bowie, Md. - The Baysox (34-39) fell in both games of a doubleheader against the Reading Phillies (42-31) Saturday evening, losing the first game 3-1 and the second game 4-2.

In both games, the Baysox fell into early deficits and were never able to dig themselves out. The R-Phils were able to score in the first inning of both games and each time led the rest of the way.

The Baysox offense also struggled to get going Saturday as they managed just nine hits and three runs between the two games while Reading had 17 hits and seven runs.

"We didn't get off to a great start," said Manager Gary Kendall. "I thought our start wasn't very good - you don't like to go out and fall behind early. It just didn't happen for us today, but I thought offensively we had opportunities in both games; we had some situations there in close games where one swing of the bat could have gotten us back in the game."

In game one, Reading jumped out to a first inning lead for the second game in a row against right-handed starting pitcher Bobby Bundy. Miguel Abreu hit a lead off single to right field and moved to third base when Cesar Hernandez doubled to right field. With one out, Brandon Tripp hit a sacrifice fly to left field that plated Abreu and gave Reading a 1-0 lead.

The R-Phils extended their lead in the top of the third inning as Bundy ran into some two-out trouble. Troy Hanzawa hit a lead off single to left field and moved to second base when Abreu grounded out. With two outs, Darin Ruf drew a walk and Tripp followed with a single to center field that scored Hanzawa and made the score 2-0.

A defensive mistake helped Reading tack on another run in the top of the fourth inning. Leandro Castro hit a one out single to center field and stole second base with Jiwan James batting. James reached on a fielding error by second baseman Jonathan Schoop that allowed Castro to move to third base where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Hanzawa to make the score 3-0.

The Baysox scored in the bottom of the sixth inning against Reading starter Jonathan Pettibone to avoid the shutout. Schoop hit a lead off single to third base and designated hitter Rhyne Hughes drew a one out walk. Left fielder Robbie Widlansky then doubled to left-center field to plate Schoop and make the score 3-1.

Bundy pitched four and two-thirds innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out five batters and walking two before being removed from the game after being struck in the left leg by a batted ball. Left-handed reliever Mike Belfiore replaced Bundy on the mound and pitched two and one-third scoreless innings and struck out one batter while walking two.

Pettibone pitched a seven inning complete game and earned the win for Reading, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven batters and walking two.

The Baysox struggled on defense Friday evening, committing an error that led to two unearned runs and that continued in game one as the Baysox committed three more errors leading to one unearned run.

"We didn't exactly play well behind Bundy in that first game," Kendall said. "We could have kept the game more manageable for our offense to make a run at them if there was a run in us."

Game two also got off to a rough start for right-handed starting pitcher Eddie Gamboa and the Baysox as they allowed three more runs in the first inning. Tim Kennelly hit a lead off single to left field but was thrown out at second base when Hernandez reached on a force out. Hernandez stole second base with Ruf batting and Ruf followed with a walk. Tripp continued to haunt the Baysox with a single to right field that plated Hernandez and moved Ruf to second base where he scored when Castro doubled to left field. Cody Asche kept the hits coming when he singled to left field to score Tripp and give the R-Phils a 3-0 lead.

The Baysox got two runs back in the bottom of the first inning against Reading starter Jordan Whatcott. Center fielder Antoan Richardson drew a walk but was thrown out at second when left fielder Buck Britton reached on a force out. Right fielder Josh Barfield then grounded into a force out that eliminated Britton at second base. With two outs, Hughes singled to left field and moved Barfield to second base where they both scored when shortstop Manny Machado doubled to right field to make the score 3-2.

Reading extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning. Abreu hit a lead off double to left field and with two outs, Kennelly doubled to right field to score Abreu and give Reading a 4-2 lead.

Gamboa pitched four innings and allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out five batters and walking one in the loss. Right-handed reliever Pat Egan pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out one batter. Right-handed reliever Robert Hinton pitched the seventh inning for the Baysox and did not allow a run on one hit.

Reading reliever Cody Shreve earned the win for the Baysox as he pitched two scoreless innings and allowed one hit while striking out two batters. Reading closer Justin Friend pitched the seventh inning to earn the save for the R-Phils.

The Baysox are home through Monday, June 25 for a five game home stand. Some of the highlights include the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo Sunday, June 24 at 2:05 p.m. and Mutt Monday, June 25 at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Zach Clark (5-4, 2.85) is scheduled to take the mound for the Baysox tomorrow as the team plays the fourth game in a five game series with the Reading Phillies. He will be opposed by RHP Trevor May (6-4, 4.78).

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