The Bowie Baysox salvaged the finale of a three-game series, defeating the Richmond Flying Squirrels (13-14), 7-2, on Thursday afternoon at Prince George’s Stadium. The Squirrels took two-of-three from Bowie, and finish their road trip with a record of 3-3.
The Baysox got out quickly against Richmond lefty Ryan Bradley. Bradley walked Xavier Avery, the first batter that he faced in the first inning. Kyle Hudson followed and sent a grounder to third base that Mark Minicozzi misplayed. A batter later, Caleb Joseph knocked in both base runners with a two-run double to the left-field corner for a 2-0 lead.
Richmond’s response came immediately as they mounted a two-out rally in the top of the second inning against right-hander Mike Wright. Wright had retired the first five batters that he faced, but Jarrett Parker laced a double into the left-field corner. Brett Krill followed and pushed a single the opposite way to put runners at the corners. Mark Wagner then shoved a two-run double into the right-field corner, scoring both runners to tie the ballgame, 2-2. All three hits in the rally came with two outs and to the opposite-field.
Bowie rapidly regained the lead, plating an additional run off Bradley in the bottom of the second inning for a 3-2 lead. Garabez Rosa sparked the inning with a lead-off single. Bradley then walked Jose Gil to put two aboard. Avery bunted the runners up and Hudson made it a 3-2 with an RBI groundout.
The Baysox stretched their lead and chased Bradley in the fourth inning. With one out, Bradley plunked Hudson to start trouble. Bradley then walked Ty Kelly to put two runners aboard. Joseph cracked an RBI single into left field and Bradley walked Brandon Waring to load the bases. Bradley was lifted in favor of fellow lefty Tom Vessella. Vessella entered and induced a soft ground ball to the right side of the infield from Buck Britton. Ricky Oropesa fielded and tried to flip it underhand to Vessella. The toss was behind Vessella and he couldn’t hold on to it. The error on Oropesa allowed two runs to score as Bowie took a 6-2 lead.
Bradley (0-3) was saddled with his third loss of the season over 3 2/3 innings. He was charged with six runs – three earned – on five hits. He walked five and struck out two.
Wright (3-0) earned the win over six innings. He allowed just two earned runs, scattering eight hits. He walked none and struck out five. Left-hander Jason Gurka worked three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save, his first of the year.
Bowie capped the scoring for the day with a run off right-hander Fabio Castillo in the seventh inning. The run scored on a wild pitch. Britton scored the run after he had been walked to start the ballgame. The Squirrels walked 24 Bowie batters during the three-game series, an average of eight a game.
The Squirrels return to The Diamond on Friday night to open a three-game series with the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) at 7:05 p.m. Richmond RHP Craig Westcott (1-2, 4.37) will make the start against Trenton RHP Zach Nuding (0-3, 2.85). Pregame coverage begins on Sports Radio 910, SportsRadio910.com and IHeart Radio at 6:35 p.m.
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Chris Graham
