Baysox bombard Flying Squirrels

The Bowie Baysox (59-65) bombarded the Flying Squirrels (59-65) with five runs over the first two innings and held on in a 6-2 win on Monday at The Diamond. Outfielder Yusniel Diaz did the most damage with a three-run homer in the first inning. The Baysox pounded-out 14 hits to take the two-game series opener. The Flying Squirrels conclude the penultimate homestand of the year on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday in Funnville includes a Trucker Cap Giveaway presented by Budweiser (first 1,000 fans 21+).

The Baysox jumped on Richmond starter Jake McCasland for four runs in the first inning. Ryan McKenna and Steve Wilkerson each singled to begin the inning. Wilkerson’s base hit advanced McKenna to third and Corban Joseph then brought him home with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Yusniel Diaz followed with a three-run homer over the fence in right for a 4-0 lead.

Bowie added another run in the second when Joseph singled home Rylan Bannon from second base. Bannon had reached on a leadoff walk.

McCasland managed to settle in for the Squirrels after he stranded the bases loaded in the third inning. The righty punched out the side in the fourth and was at 73 pitches heading into his fifth and final inning. A double play allowed McCasland to close his outing after five inning – the last three of which he did not allow a run in. Overall, McCasland (4-6) tossed five frames and allowed five runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out four while using 85 pitches in the loss.

Richmond’s offense scuffled facing lefty Brian Gonzalez for the second time in five days. The southpaw escaped the bases loaded in the first and retired the side in order in the second. The Squirrels did break through for a run in the third, scoring on an RBI groundout. Ali Castillo ripped a one-out single and took second and third base on wild pitches. Luigi Rodriguez grounded Castillo home on a soft roller to second.

The Squirrels added a run in the fifth, pulling to within three, 5-2. Richmond loaded the bases on Gonzalez for the second time on the night and the lefty unleased a wild pitch to score CJ Hinojosa from third base. Gonzalez was able to limit the damage as he struck out Rodriguez and grounded out Dylan Davis to end the inning.

Relivers Dan Slania (1.1 IP, 3H, K,) and Carlos Diaz (0.2IP, H, K) bridged the game into the eighth. Sam Wolff started the eighth inning and allowed a run on two hits. Steve Wilkerson lined a double into left field and Caleb Joseph gathered his third RBI of the night with a single for a 6-2 Bowie lead.

Gonzalez (6-6) lasted six innings for Bowie and earned the win. The lefty allowed the two runs (one earned) on four hits. He walked three and struck out four in his second consecutive victory over Richmond.

The Flying Squirrels conclude the penultimate homestand of the year on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Richmond RHP Chase Johnson (2-3, 3.69) is slated to start the contest against Bowie RHP Dean Kremer (2-2, 3.29). Tuesday in Funnville includes a Trucker Cap Giveaway presented by Budweiser (first 1,000 fans 21+). Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN