The Richmond Flying Squirrels (53-52) continued to struggle offensively as they were shutout by the Bowie Baysox (53-50), 4-0, on Wednesday night at Prince George’s Stadium. With the loss, the Squirrels fell to third place in the Western Division.
Starters Craig Westcott and Zach Clark battled through six scoreless innings. Each faced myriad adversity, but neither blinked. Westcott finally did in the seventh, allowing an infield-single to Manny Machado to start the frame. Rhyne Hughes forced Machado and Buck Britton singled to put two aboard. Westcott walked Caleb Joseph to load the bases and Johnny Ruettiger put the Baysox ahead with an RBI fielder’s choice. Westcott was lifted in favor of right-hander Edwin Quirarte. He promptly walked Josh Barfield before conceding a two-run single to Jonathan Schoop. Schoops’ single back through the middle made it 3-0 Bowie.
Westcott (9-7) was doomed to the loss despite turning in his fifth consecutive quality start. He conceded three runs on just four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out one as he lost for the seventh time.
Clark (10-4) scattered eight hits over seven scoreless innings and earned his 10th victory of the season. He walked three and struck out three as he improved to 2-3 against the Squirrels on the season.
The Baysox added an insurance run against right-hander Jacob Dunnington in the bottom of the eighth. They wouldn’t need it, as left-hander Mike Belfiore completed the shutout with two scoreless innings of relief. Belfiore earned his first save of the season.
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Chris Graham
