EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

SeaWolves Nip Baysox

Published on July 5, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


ERIE, Pa. - The Bowie Baysox blew a four run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and eventually lost to the Erie SeaWolves 8-7 in 11 innings Monday night. The Baysox hit four home runs in the contest but the SeaWolves drew seven walks in the final three innings before walking off on a passed ball that should have been the third out of the 11th inning.

Baysox starter Rick Zagone struggled early, allowing three runs in the first two innings. Erie second baseman Alden Carrithers led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right-center field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. He advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on a wild pitch to put the SeaWolves up 1-0.

The Baysox answered with a pair of runs in the second inning. Designated hitter Joel Guzman led off with an infield single to third base and scored on a two-run home run by first baseman Robbie Widlansky. It was the first baseman's fifth home run of the year and his first since June 23, at Reading. Widlansky set a career high with seven home runs for Single-A Frederick last year.

Zagone retired the first two batters in the bottom of the second inning before walking Deik Scram. Catcher Angel Flores followed with a two-run home run to left-center field, putting the SeaWolves in front 3-2. It was the first home run Zagone allowed in his first two Double-A starts, he had allowed a home run in each of his final four starts at Single-A Frederick.

Erie's lead was short-lived as Bowie fired back with back-to-back solo home runs by Eastern League All-Stars Tyler Henson and Guzman in the top of third inning. It was the first time the Baysox have hit back-to-back home runs since Caleb Joseph and Guzman did it June 4, against Erie.

Henson, recently named to the Eastern League Western Division All-Star Team, went 2-for-5 in the contest, raising his batting average to .301. He is currently on a five game hitting streak, and has notched five hits over the last two games combined.

Guzman's blast gave him 19 on the year, tying him for the league lead with Trenton's Brandon Laird and one short of his career high. He hit 20 home runs in Triple-A Durham in the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2008. Guzman now has 137 home runs in his minor league career.

Bowie added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning off of reliever Cory Hamilton. Shortstop Greg Miclat reached on a fielding error and shortstop Jonathan Tucker reached on an infield single to shortstop, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. One batter later, second baseman Ryan Adams stepped to the plate and launched a one-out three-run home run over the wall in right field to put the Baysox up 7-3.

Zagone allowed Erie hitters to reach base in each of the next four innings, but managed to keep the SeaWolves off the board. He was relieved after 7.0 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two.

Lefty Chad Thall relieved Zagone to open the bottom of the eighth inning and walked the first batter he faced. He induced a pair of ground outs and a fly out to escape the inning unscathed.

Thall entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a four run lead and surrendered a solo home run to Scram on the second pitch of the inning. After recording a pop out in foul territory by third base, Thall walked Shaun Roof and Carrithers before the Baysox turned the game over to right-hander Bob McCrory.

McCrory walked the first batter he faced to load the bases with one out. Andy Dirks struck out swinging for the second out, but Michael Bertram hit a bases-clearing double to center field to tie the game at 7-7. After an intentional walk, Bryan Pounds flew out to send the game to extra innings.

After the Baysox were retired in order in the tenth inning, Tucker led off the top of the top of the 11th with an infield single to shortstop and moved to second on center fielder Danny Figueroa's sacrifice bunt. The SeaWolves intentionally walked Adams to put runners on first and second with one out and Henson struck out swinging for the second out. Guzman grounded out to third base to end the treat.

McCrory retired the first two batters in the bottom of the 11th inning before his command failed him. Dirks drew a walk and moved to second on a single by Bertram. Kody Kaiser drew another walk to load the bases and McCrory struck out Pounds swinging for what should have been the third out of the inning, but the ball got past catcher Steve Lerud and Dirks scampered home for the winning run. Lerud was charged with a passed ball on the play.

With the loss, the Baysox fall to 45-39 on the season, 8.5 games behind division leaders Altoona, and 3.5 games in front of third place Akron.

The Baysox return home Friday, July 9, for a four game set with the New York Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. That series features fireworks and a comedy and magic show for kids by The Great Zucchini on Saturday, July 10, and Superhero Night on Sunday, July 11, with kids' favorite superheroes in costume for a meet-and-greet and autographs.

Check out the Chesapeake Baysox Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 5, 2010


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