Recap 07/03: Baysox Snap Akrons Streak, Win 4-2
BOWIE,
MD – Thanks to clutch pitching and timely offense, the host Bowie Baysox
defeated the Aeros 4-2 Saturday night to end Akron’s four-game winning streak. In
front of 6,595 fans at Prince George’s Stadium, Bowie scored the deciding final
two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against Akron reliever Steven
Wright. The Baysox (44-38) again lead the Aeros (40-41) by 3.5 games for second
place in the Western Division.
Bowie
took a quick 2-0 advantage in the bottom half of the first inning against
struggling Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz. After two fly outs started the
frame, De La Cruz walked Tyler Henson, threw a wild pitch and allowed an RBI
double to Brandon Waring. First baseman Robbie Widlansky then ended the rally
with a run-scoring single to center.
Right-hander
Steve Johnson, the starter for the Baysox on the night, permitted single hits in
each of the first two frames before again running into trouble in the third.
Catcher Damaso Espino walked to begin the inning and center fielder Tim Fedroff
recorded the RBI on a double to left, cutting the deficit to just a single run.
An
odd error helped the visiting Aeros tie the score at 2-2 in the fourth.
Designated hitter Beau Mills drew a leadoff walk and John Drennen drew a
one-out free pass as well to bring up Espino to the plate. He popped out to
shortstop Greg Miclat, who missed the catch allowing Mills to score before
recovering to get Drennen out at second base.
The
lefty De La Cruz avoided damage before leaving after five innings pitched,
giving way to the veteran reliever Wright. He recorded the first two outs of
the frame, but promptly permitted back-to-back doubles to both Caleb Joseph and
Miclat. That gave the hosts a one-run lead, while an error by third baseman
Lonnie Chisenhall then brought in Miclat.
Akron
stranded a pair of runners in the seventh inning but failed to produce any offense
in the final two frames. The Baysox nearly scored again in the eighth against
Bryce Stowell, but the dominant closer struck out the side to prevent a larger
deficit.
Bob McCrory (1-0) earned the win for Bowie in
relief as their entire bullpen combined for four shutout innings while only
allowing one hit and two walks. Wright (0-1) took the loss as he allowed the
two runs (one earned) in his two innings, and Pedro Beato recorded his seventh
save with a perfect ninth. De La Cruz had one of his most efficient starts in
the past two months, but still permitted two runs on five hits with five
strikeouts in five innings.
Fedroff
led the Aeros offensively as he led off and started in center field for the
first time since June 13th. He collected three hits and an RBI, but
the team finished 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position with 10 men left on
base. Left fielder John Drennen was hitless in his two at bats despite a pair
of walks, marking the end of his 11-game hitting streak.
The
Aeros will look to secure the series victory Sunday in a special 6:05 p.m.
first pitch time for the Independence Day holiday celebration at Prince
George’s Stadium. Akron has yet to formally announce their starter for Sunday’s
contest in a matchup against consistent Bowie right-hander Chorye Spoone (6-5,
3.63 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Sunday night’s radio broadcast on the final game
of this weeklong road trip beginning at 5:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information,
please call the Akron Aeros team offices at (330) 253-5151.
—AEROS—
Aerodynamics 
I love minor league baseball. It just seems like a purer product and a little more wholesome. Instead of being 1 of 30,000 people in the place, you are much more intimate with the players and those around you. Love it. I try to make it to Clearwater Threshers and Charlotte Stone Crabs every chance I get. No Tampa Yankees. I DO have standards…
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/