Bishop Batters Baysox
Bowie struggled offensively in the game, notching just five hits and striking out a season-high 16 times, the most since July 10, 2009 when the team also struck out 16 times against Altoona. Baysox first baseman Joe Mahoney had two of the five hits, both infield singles to third base.
With the loss, the Baysox fall to 64-56 on the season, 5.5 games behind the Altoona Curve and half a game in front of the Harrisburg Senators in the Western Division with 22 games left to play. Both Altoona and Harrisburg play games Sunday night. If the Baysox finish first or second in the division, they will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Playoff ticket strips are available now, for more information fans can visit www.baysox.com or call (301) 464-4880.
The Baysox fell behind in the bottom of the second inning when Bishop led off the frame with a solo home run to left field. Bishop had a tremendous series against the Baysox, batting .615 (8-13) with two doubles, two home runs and 9 RBIs over the three-game set.
Johnson ran into trouble again in the bottom of the third inning. Center fielder Alden Carrithers led off with a double to center field. After a strikeout, Johnson walked second baseman Brandon Douglas. After he threw a wild pitch, allowing both runners to advance to scoring position, Johnson walked Kody Kaiser to load the bases. Bishop drew another walk to force in a run before Johnson induced an inning-ending double play with the Baysox trailing 2-0.
Erie starting pitcher Thad Weber entered the game with a record of 8-12 with a 4.17 ERA, but he was 4-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts against the Baysox. After allowing a one-out single to Baysox third baseman Ryan Adams in the first inning, Weber retired 13 straight batters before catcher Steve Lerud hit a two-out home run to right field in the fifth inning, cutting the SeaWolves lead to 2-1.
Weber struck out a career-high 11 batters in the game, but the Baysox scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to prevent him from recording a decision. With one out, Mahoney beat out an infield single to third base and designated hitter Brandon Waring drew a walk. After Lerud struck out for the second out of the inning, shortstop Greg Miclat drew a walk to load the bases. Erie turned the game over to reliever Luis Marte and the right-hander walked second baseman Carlos Rojas on five pitches to force in the tying run. Center fielder Xavier Avery flew out to end the inning with the score tied 2-2.
Johnson was relieved by Wynn Pelzer to open the bottom of the sixth inning, and the right-hander worked two scoreless innings. Right-hander Jose Diaz came on in relief in the bottom of the eighth inning and also worked two scoreless frames.
Raul Rivero took the hill in the bottom of the tenth inning and was charged with the loss. Douglas led off the inning with a single to left field and Kaiser executed a sacrifice bunt to third base. Adams fielded the bunt and retired Kaiser at first base, but nobody covered third base and Douglas went from first to third on the play. Bishop followed with a single to left field, driving in the winning run.
After an off day Monday they head to Trenton, N.J. to face the Thunder for three games. After the road trip, Richmond and Akron come to Bowie for a six-game home stand. That home stand includes Fairy Tale Night on Wednesday, Aug. 21, with kids' favorite fairy tale characters available for a meet-and-greet before the game. Fans can also catch the Baysox for a record-low price of one dollar on Wednesday, Aug. 25 with a coupon that can be printed out from Baysox.com.
Think Outside The Box with the Baysox in 2010. The Baysox 18th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles at Prince George's Stadium is nearly over. Catch all the action in Natural Definition as the Baysox try to bring home their first Eastern League Championship! Click HERE to order tickets online or call the group sales department at (301) 464-4880.