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EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Stars On Display In Baysox Triumph

July 1, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Despite having the finale of their twin bill rained out, the Baysox moved a game closer in the Eastern League Southern Division with a 3-2 win in game one. On a day in which four Baysox were named to the Eastern League All-Star team, all four helped the team move to within 8.5 games of the Aeros for the division lead.

The Baysox struck first blood against Akron left-hander Ryan Edell. With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Robert Valido hit a solo blast to left for his third home run of the season. The Baysox shortstop had fouled off four pitches before taking the ninth pitch of the at-bat out of the yard to give his team the lead.

"We saw him earlier in the year so that was a big advantage," Valido said. "It's a big win for us and now we have to go out and win two more tomorrow."

The offense would tally a single run in the second inning to double their lead. Second baseman Miguel Abreu reached on an error by Aeros shortstop Carlos Rivero to lead off the inning. One batter later, Abreu swiped his 16th base of the season as designated hitter Adam Donachie struck out swinging, putting himself in scoring position with two outs. Catcher Guillermo Rodriguez brought him home with an RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0. One of two positions players among the Baysox All-Stars, Abreu leads the team in batting average (.293), RBI (25) and doubles (18), while ranking second in runs scored (33) and stolen bases (16).

Akron came back with two runs of their own in the top of the third inning against Baysox starter John Mariotti. Jared Goedert singled to left field and Jose Constanza followed one batter later with a double into the left field corner to put runners on second and third. With Cristo Arnal at the plate, a sinker by Mariotti skipped past Rodriguez allowing Goedert to score as Constanza moved over to third. Arnal followed with a single as the Aeros tied the game at two apiece.

The Baysox came right back to take the lead again in the bottom of the inning. All-Star left-fielder Jonathan Tucker singled to right center field to lead off the inning, advancing to second on a passed ball by Akron catcher Carlos Santana. After a free pass was issued to first baseman Eric Crozier, third baseman Mike Costanzo stepped to plate and laced an RBI single to right field. Crozier was thrown out trying to go from first to third on the play, but the Baysox took a 3-2 advantage they would not relinquish thanks to an outstanding effort by their bullpen.

Mariotti ran into some trouble in the fifth inning, getting ahead of Jerad Head 0-2 before hitting him with a pitch to put a runner aboard. Constanza moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Mariotti walked Cristo Arnal to put two men on for Eastern League Player of the Week Nicholas Weglarz. Left-hander Wilfrido Perez came on for Mariotti, ending his night after 4.1 innings of work. The Baysox starter allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking three and earning a no decision.

"It's pretty frustrating go out there and struggle," Mariotti said. "Luckily (Wilfrido) was right there to pick us up and get the win."

Perez induced Weglarz into a fielders' choice for the second out of the inning before walking Carlos Santana to load the bases. He got ahead in the count to Beau Mills before getting the Aeros first baseman to fly out to right, getting out of the jam and preserving the lead.

With a one-run advantage, All-Star relievers Ryan Ouellette and Josh Perrault were called upon to slam the door. Ouellette worked a perfect sixth inning, needing only seven pitches to erase the Akron offense in order and earn his eighth hold of the season. Since being called up to Bowie on May 14, Ouellette has compiled a 1.96 ERA in 23.0 innings of work while holding hitters to a .210 average.

Perrault came on to face the Aeros in the ninth, allowing a two-out double by John Drennen before locking down his 14th save of the season. The closer of what has become a dominant Baysox bullpen, Perrault has posted a 1.89 ERA on the season while not allowing an earned run in 29 of his 33 appearances. A quiet leader in the clubhouse, Perrault was humbled and thankful after being named as an All-Star while remaining focused on the task at hand.

"To be ranked among the top players in this league is a special thing for me," Perrault said. "(Tonight) really shows we can stand up to the top team and gives us the confidence to come out tomorrow and get the job done."

The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow night at Prince George's Stadium beginning at 6:05 p.m. LHP Brian Matusz (2-0, 0.79) takes the hill in game one while RHP Fredy Deza (3-2, 2.95 ERA) will start in game two. Akron will send RHP Hector Rondon (7-4, 2.59) to the mound in game one and RHP Erik Stiller (5-3, 3.86) in game two.

The Baysox return home to play Akron on June 30. The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! 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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