The Bowie Baysox (15-18) surged to a, 7-3, 11-inning win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (16-18) with four runs in the top of the 11th inning on Thursday night at The Diamond.
Richmond left-hander Jason Stevenson and Bowie righty Eddie Gamboa dueled in the early-going, as neither starter had much trouble working through five scoreless innings. Stevenson allowed a single in each of the first two innings, but got a double-play ball to face the minimum in each frame. He retired 11 in a row following a lead-off single by Brandon Waring in the second inning, and faced the minimum of 15 batters through five innings. Gamboa labored only slightly more over the same stretch, allowing two singles and facing just 16 hitters through five innings.
Stevenson blinked first in the sixth inning, allowing a one-out single to Ronnie Welty. He then walked Carlos Rojas to put two Baysox aboard. He got a fielder’s choice groundout from Steven Bumbry for the second out, but Jonathan Schoop drilled a three-run home run to left field for a 3-0 lead. It marked the second home run of the season for Schoop.
Stevenson didn’t factor in the decision over 6 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, walked one and struck out two. Gamboa remained in control through six innings, but also did not factor in the decision.
The Squirrels responded upon Gamboa’s departure in the seventh inning. The uprising occurred against right-hander Sean Gleason, and was sparked by Ryan Cavan, who led off with a single. Tommy Joseph followed with a single to put two aboard. Daniel Mayora then singled into center field to plate Cavan and put Richmond on the board for the first time. Both runners moved up on a passed-ball, but Chris Dominguez lined into a double-play when Joseph was cut down at the plate trying to tag on a fly out to center field. However, Joel Weeks wouldn’t let the rally die, knocking in Mayora with a single. Weeks advanced to second base on a wild-pitch and scored when Ehire Adrianza singled into left field to tie the game, 3-3.
It remained that way until the 11th when the Baysox struck for four runs to grab control of the ballgame. Right-hander Brett Bochy entered for Richmond to start the frame and hurriedly struck out Rojas. However, Bumbry cracked a single into center field to get Bowie started. Schoop followed with a double to put runners at second and third with nobody out. The Squirrels intentionally-walked L.J. Hoes to load the bases. Bochy then walked Waring to force in a run, putting the Baysox ahead for good. It was the first run Bochy had allowed on the season, snapping a season-opening 18-inning scoreless streak. Bochy recovered to strikeout Manny Machado, but Caleb Joseph delivered the knockout blow, belting a three-run bases-clearing double to left-center field.
Bochy (2-1) was doomed to his first defeat at the Double-A level, permitting four runs on three hits and two walks over just 2/3 of an inning. Right-hander Kyler Newby (2-0) worked the final two innings of relief to earn the win for Bowie. Right-hander Daryl Maday worked 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for Richmond in defeat. Lefty Pedro Viola turned in two scoreless innings in relief in victory for the Baysox.
The four-game series continues with game two at 6:35 PM on Friday night at The Diamond. Richmond RHP Chris Heston (2-2, 1.01) will make the start against Bowie LHP Cole McCurry (0-5, 5.93). Tickets are available and can be purchased at SquirrelsBaseball.com. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:05 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.
Share
Chris Graham
