Bowie 7-11-1Hartford 3-12-1WP- Alex Wells (6-1)LP- Ben Meyer (0-1)T- 2:29A- 5,502
Bowie 7-11-1
Hartford 3-12-1
WP- Alex Wells (6-1)
LP- Ben Meyer (0-1)
T- 2:29
A- 5,502
HARTFORD- Launching four home runs in the first two innings, the Bowie Baysox put on a pre-Fourth of July fireworks display of their own with a 7-3 win over the Hartford Yard Goats Monday night, before 5,502 at Dunkin' Donuts Park. The Orioles affiliate continued its dominance over Hartford, winning seven of 10 games this season, including a 4-0 mark at Dunkin' Donuts Park.
Making his Hartford debut, after pitching last season for the Miami Marlins, Ben Meyer served up back-to-back home runs to Ryan McKenna - a two-run shot - and Yusniel Díaz in the first inning. The Baysox went back-to-back again in the second inning off the Hartford right-hander on solo shots by T.J. Nichting and Mason McCoy. Nichting's blast to right landed on Trumbull St.
Heath Holder came on in relief, giving the Yard Goats a chance. He pitched six scoreless innings and struck out two.
Shutout for four innings by Bowie southpaw Alex Wells, Hartford scored a run in the fifth on a lead off double by Vance Vizcaino and a run-scoring single by Manny Melendez. Chris Rabago knocked in a run with a sixth inning single, before Wells pitched out of a bases loaded jam. The Australian native improved to 6-1, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. He struck out a season-high eight.
The Yard Goats added a run in the eighth on a double by Bret Boswell, a sacrifice bunt and Vizcaino's RBI-ground out. But Bowie tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth to put the game away.
Tyler Nevin had two doubles and a run scored, while Arvicent Perez, Melendez, Rabago and Boswell each had two hits to lead Hartford's 12-hit attack.
The top three Bowie hitters combined to go 8-for-13 in the game with three home runs and six runs batted in. McKenna led the way with a home run, single and three RBI. Diaz added a homer, double, single and two RBI, while McCoy homered, singled twice and had an RBI. Nichting added a home run and double.
Game two of the three-game series is Tuesday at 7:05 PM. RHP Matt Dennis will pitch for Hartford against RHP Dean Kremer for Bowie. It will be Baseball Cap Giveaway Night, sponsored by the Travelers. The game will be broadcast on News Radio 1410 AM, on 100.9 FM, in Spanish on 1120 AM and on the Internet on newsradio1410.iheart.com and on MiLB.com.
