Aquino steps up, spins shutout for Bowie

Pitching opposite one of the Eastern League's hottest hurlers, Jayson Aquino grabbed the spotlight.

The Baltimore left-hander scattered three hits and a pair of walks over seven innings to notch his fourth career shutout as Double-A Bowie blanked Akron, 6-0, in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Prince George's Stadium. He struck out a season-high eight batters.

Aquino (3-4) entered the game with momentum on the heels of a May 31 outing in which he tossed eight scoreless frames against Richmond. The left-hander continued that roll by limiting the RubberDucks to just five baserunners, none of which made it past second base.

"He had all his stuff working," Baysox pitching coach Alan Mills said. "He had his fastball command, his curveball had good shape and action and his changeup he threw for strikes. He mixed well and he threw the ball very well."

Bowie's offense wasted no time jumping on Cleveland's No. 16 prospect Shawn Morimando, who entered the start with the league's top ERA at 1.64. An RBI single up the middle by Henry Urrutia and a two-out double to left field by Quincy Latimore in the first quickly spotted them a 2-0 lead, which would be all the cushion Aquino needed.

"I thought he did a very good job holding the lead and putting up zeros," Mills said. "He threw the ball very well. It didn't matter who he was pitching against today."

The native of the Dominican Republic has slashed his ERA by over a run from 4.69 to 3.42 during his two-start scoreless streak spanning 15 innings. Although he's rung up 15 strikeouts during that time, Mills said Aquino does his best work when he's not looking to miss bats.

"He does a good job pitching to contact," the coach said. "When all his stuff is working, his changeup comes into play. He's a good pitcher because he's complete. He throws the ball over the plate and he initiates contact, which is good for any pitcher."

Aquino joined the Baysox after being traded from the Cardinals for cash considerations on April 7. The 23-year-old joined his fourth organization in the past two years, but has made a good first impression.

"Even the times this year when he didn't throw and put up the numbers like the past two starts, I thought he did some things that were positive in each of them," Mills said. "I'm glad to have him as a part of our staff. He helps us out a great deal and I've been happy with him since he got here. … I like what I see and hopefully he keeps improving as the year goes on."

Latimore finished up 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Bowie leadoff man Julio Borbon collected three single, plated a run and scored once.

Morimando (9-1) gave up five runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out three over 4 2/3 frames.

The Baysox swept the twinbill with a 12-7 victory in the second game. Glynn Davis blasted a grand slam and Garabez Rosa went 4-for-4 with a triple and a pair of RBIs while third-ranked Orioles prospect Chance Sisco smacked two singles and drove in a run.