Squirrels slip: Baysox split series

Flying Squirrels first baseman Chris Shaw homered and drove in three runs on Sunday, but it was not enough for Richmond (47-66) as the Bowie Baysox (49-65) split the four game series with a 6-4 win on Sunday afternoon at Prince George’s Stadium. The Squirrels fumbled away an early 3-0 lead and were limited to just one run over the final five innings in the defeat. Shaw smacked his third Double-A homer in the fourth inning and Ryder Jones cranked a solo blast in the ninth for the Squirrels. The loss closed out the Squirrels six-game road trip with a 2-4 record.

Facing lefty John Means for the third time this year, the Squirrels jumped early and pushed across a pair of runs in the first inning. Christian Arroyo singled and Hunter Cole worked a two-out walk to set up Squirrels slugger Chris Shaw. Shaw then smashed a pitch into the right center field gap for a 2-0 Richmond lead. Shaw tagged Means two innings later for a solo home run and a 3-0 lead. It was the third Double- A homer for Sahw and his 19th overall on the year.

Means settled in, despite a rising pitch count through the early innings, and Bowie grabbed the lead for the lefty in the fourth. Squirrels hurler Kyle Crick maneuvered around base runners through the first three innings, but could not evade trouble in the fourth. Crick walked the first batter to start the fourth and a double play grounder was booted, placing runners at the corners. Jay Gonzalez then drew a walk and Chris O’Brien put Bowie on the board with a sacrifice fly. Bowie continued the assault as Adrian Marin singled to score a run and Drew Dosch added the final blow, lining a two-run single to end the afternoon for Crick and give Bowie a 4-3 lead. Crick (3-10) lasted just 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (all unearned) on five hits. He tossed 85 pitched and walked five in the defeat. Carlos Alvarado entered in the relief and closed out the fourth inning. Alvarado went on to toss a season-high 2 1/3 innings out of the ‘pen.

The Baysox tacked on a run in the sixth and another in the seventh. Chris O’Brien drilled a solo home run to right off Alvarado for 5-3 lead and Joey Terdoslavich connected on an RBI double to right center.

Means, along with the bullpen help of Jesus Liranzo, Parker Bridwell were able to keep the Squirrels offense down until the ninth inning. Means lasted five innings and earned the win. The lefty allowed the three runs, on four hits, with six strikeouts on the day. Liranzo retired all six batters he faced to bridge the game into the eight inning.

Bowie closer Donnie entered for the save in the ninth, pitching with a 6-3 lead. Hart closed out the game but did allow his first homer of the season, a solo blast to Ryder Jones. It was the 11th homer of the season for Jones and his second of the trip.