4/13 - Eight-run Third Inning Sinks Baysox in 10-4 Defeat

BOWIE, Md. -- Three third-inning home runs helped the Harrisburg Senators clinch the four-game series against the Bowie Baysox with a 10-4 win in front of 3,247 at Prince George's Stadium Saturday afternoon. 
For the second straight contest, Drew Ward launched a third-inning grand slam to put Harrisburg up 4-0 in the third inning. After Baysox starter Dillon Tate was lifted from the game, Rhett Wiseman and Zach Collier each hit a two-run home run to give the visitors an 8-0 lead.
The Baysox (2-7) responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to close the deficit to 8-3. Rylan Bannon led off by sending his second home run of the season just inside the left field foul pole to spoil the shutout bid. After a Yusniel Díaz walk, Ademar Rifaela lined an opposite-field double to the gap in left-center field for his second RBI of the season. T.J. Nichting drove in Rifaela on a single to the same spot in the outfield for his second RBI of the season two batters later. 
The Senators (9-1) tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning, but the hosts got a run back in the bottom of the eighth inning. Diaz led off the rally with a one-out double, his fifth extra-base hit in nine games. After a Rifaela walk, Jesmuel Valentín grounded into a potential double play, but the throws from both Austin Davidson and Luis Garcia were off the mark, allowing Diaz to race home and cut the Harrisburg lead to 10-4.
After Collier's home run, Cristian Alvarado settled into a groove in his Bowie home debut, retiring 10 of the final 11 batters over 3 1/3 relief innings. The righty escaped a jam in the fifth inning. Ian Sagdal led off with a triple, but Alvarado struck out Tres Barrera and got Wiseman and Tyler Goeddel to ground out. Tanner Chleborad allowed no earned runs in two innings of work, while Zach Pop tossed a scoreless inning of his own in the ninth.
Bowie and Harrisburg conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. LHP Zac Lowther aims for his second straight win over the Senators to open his Double-A tenure against Harrisburg LHP Ben Kraymer.
Sunday is also Kids' Opening Day at the ballpark. Futures Club members who purchased advance tickets can participate in a stadium-wide Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance, as well as ponies and a petting zoo, thanks to Stone Eagle Stables.
Kids also can snag autographs from select Baysox players during a kids-only pregame autograph session from 12:30-1 p.m. All fans (parents included) can play catch on the field at the same time.