Flying Squirrels (49-69) lefty Matt Gage had the last laugh against Bowie (50-68) on Friday night, defeating the Baysox handedly by a final of 4-0, in front of 6,755 fans at The Diamond. Gage, having lasted just two innings in his previous start against Bowie five days ago, was in command throughout the night and did not allow a runner past first base. Gage lasted eight innings for the second time this year and authored the Squirrels eighth shutout win of the season. Ryder Jones provided the early offensive support, drilling a two-run homer to right field in the second inning. Jones collected three hits in the contests, including his 12th home run of the year.
Matt Gage was sharp throughout his 20th outing of the season and enacted some revenge against Bowie on Friday night. Gage, having lasted just two innings against the Baysox in his previous start, moved through the lineup with ease. Gage, after allowing a single to Garabez Rosa in the first inning, retired nine consecutive hitters into the fourth inning. The lefty picked up a strikeout in the first, another in the second, two more in the fourth and one more to close out the fourth.
Richmond third baseman Ryder Jones provided the first offensive attack of the night against Bowie’s Jayson Aquino. Chris Shaw opened up the second inning with a base hit and Jones followed with a two-run homer that sailed over the rightfield wall. It was the 12th homer of the year for Jones and his third in the last seven games. Aquino evaded trouble the rest of the night but still suffered the loss.
Gage continued to keep the Baysox off balance through the middle innings and did not allow a runner past first base in the outing. He worked around a single in the sixth and a soft base hit in the seventh. The lefty returned for the eighth inning and set the side down in order, closing out a hallmark night on the mound. Gage (7-7) tossed eight innings for the second time this year and allowed just five hits. He struck out six and walked none in the victory.
Bowie’s Jayson Aquino was also solid through seven innings despite suffering the loss on Friday. Aquino (5-10) allowed just the two runs on seven hits in his fifth start against Richmond. Reliever Stefan Crichton replaced the lefty Aquino in the eighth and Crichton could not hold the score. The Squirrels went up 4-0 with a pair of insurance runs, generated by an RBI double from Chris Shaw and sacrifice fly to right field off the bat of Ryder Jones. .
Preston Claiborne entered for Gage in the top of the ninth inning and struck out the final two batters of the game to close out the Squirrels second consecutive win.
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Chris Graham
