Buck Britton belted a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Bowie Baysox (63-62) ended the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ (65-61) six-game win-streak with a, 3-2, victory at Prince George’s Stadium. The Squirrels had come back to take the lead in the top of the ninth inning.
Leading 2-1 to the bottom of the ninth inning, Richmond left-hander Josh Osich returned for his second inning of relief. He recorded the first out of the inning, but Caleb Joseph notched a one-out single. Britton followed and launched a two-run home run to right field. The Baysox mobbed Britton at the plate following the walk-off shot, his fifth home run of the season. Osich (2-3) was saddled with the loss.
Right-hander Jose Valdez made a spot-start for the Squirrels in place of injured lefty Jack Snodgrass. He held off the Baysox through the first two innings, but conceded the lead in the third. With one out, Brian Ward cracked a solo-home run to left field. Ward’s second of the season put Bowie in front, 1-0.
Valdez turned in an expected three innings, allowing just the lone run. He permitted three hits, walked two and struck out four in his first start since 2009. Snodgrass is expected to rejoin the Squirrels’ rotation the next time through. He is scheduled to start on Thursday, August 22nd against the Altoona Curve.
Right-hander Drew Bowlin followed Valdez and turned in four nearly flawless innings. He faced the minimum, allowing one walk but erasing it with a double play.
Meanwhile, Bowie right-hander Daniel McCutchen was dealing. He allowed a one-out double in the first inning and then retired the next 20 batters to work through the seventh inning. Howver, Angel Villalona opened the eighth inning with a double down the left-field line. The double chased McCutchen in favor of lefty Chris Petrini. Villalona was replaced by pinch-runner Brett Krill. Petrini struck out the next two batters, and Dave Machemer pinch hit Joe Panik for Jesus Navarro. Panik delivered on the first pitch, dumping a single into left-center field. Krill raced across to tie the game, 1-1.
Petrini returned in the ninth inning and hit Ryan Lollis to start trouble. Skyler Stromsmoe followed with a single. Javier Herrera failed in a sacrifice-bunt attempt, forcing out Lollis at third base. Mark Minicozzi then sent a double play ground ball to short. However, Britton threw away the relay to first base, allowing Stromsmoe to score for the lead, 2-1. Despite the run, Petrini (4-5) earned the win in relief.
The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Prince George’s Stadium on Sunday night. Richmond LHP Chris Gloor (9-5, 3.56) will make the start against Bowie RHP Mike Wright (10-2, 3.37). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin on Sports Radio 910, www.sportsradio910.com and IHeart Radio at 5.35 p.m.
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Chris Graham
