BOWIE, Md. -- Two Jake Rogers home runs proved to be just enough as a ninth-inning rally fell short for the Bowie Baysox in a 6-5 defeat to the Erie SeaWolves in front of 1,841 at Prince George's Stadium Tuesday night.After the two starters dueled through the first three innings,
BOWIE, Md. -- Two Jake Rogers home runs proved to be just enough as a ninth-inning rally fell short for the Bowie Baysox in a 6-5 defeat to the Erie SeaWolves in front of 1,841 at Prince George's Stadium Tuesday night.
After the two starters dueled through the first three innings, Erie (6-3) broke through with a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Daniel Pinero grounded into a fielder's choice after a pair of singles led off the inning, but an errant throw from Rylan Bannon landed in the dugout to plate Derek Hill. Jake Rogers led off the fifth inning by hitting a solo home run to left-center field, increasing the lead to 2-0.
The Baysox (3-9) sent all nine batters to the plate during a four-run fifth inning. A walk, a single and another walk from Erie starter Nick Ramirez loaded the bases for Austin Wynns, who flared a two-out, two-run single to center field to plate Cael Brockmeyer and Chris Clare. Bannon lined his 2nd double of the game one batter later over left fielder Troy Montgomery's head, scoring Ryan McKenna and Wynns give the hosts a 4-2 lead.
A Montgomery two-run single in the seventh inning tied the game at 4-4 and a second Rogers home run in the ninth inning scored Will Maddox to give the Wolves a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth inning. Bowie staged a furious rally attempt, placing the potential game-winning run at first base. Bannon, who went 4-for-5 from the No. 3 spot in the lineup, grounded a single to left field to score McKenna and cut the score to 6-5.
Bruce Zimmermann took a no-decision, but he earned a quality outing in his second start of 2019. The lefty held the SeaWolves to two earned runs on three hits over six innings, producing four 1-2-3 innings and retiring the first nine batters faced. Of the 18 total outs recorded by the Baysox, Zimmermann forced 11 groundouts over 75 pitches.
The season-opening homestand and the three-game series with Erie concludes Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Marcos Molina makes his second start at home against reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Matt Manning. Tomorrow night is the first Military Appreciation Night of the season, presented by Terminix. All active or retired members of the military can receive half-price box seats when they show proof of service at the box office.
