8/24: Baysox Drop Series Opener, 10-2

BOWIE, Md. -- The Erie SeaWolves produced runs in six of the first seven innings to hand the Bowie Baysox a 10-2 loss in front of 4,163 at Prince George's Stadium Friday night. 

Single runs in the first and second innings, as well as back-to-back home runs from Willi Castro and Josh Lester in the fourth inning, helped Erie (61-69) jump out to an early 4-0 lead after three innings. Three runs in the top of the fifth extended the lead to 7-0, while Lester's second long ball of the evening increased the Erie margin in the sixth inning. A Jake Rogers single punctuated the offense for the visitors, who tied the season-high with 18 hits allowed by Baysox pitching.
The Baysox (61-67) got the bats going with a run in the bottom of the fifth to break up the shutout. Ryan McKenna lined a single just over a ducking Alex Faedo into center field to score Yusniel Díaz, who led off the frame with a double to left-center field. The RBI was the outfielder's first since August 2 at Akron, and first at Prince George's Stadium since July 25 against Binghamton. McKenna beat out a potential double play in the ninth inning to plate Brett Cumberland for his second RBI of the night.
Defensively, Matthew Grimes posted his second consecutive scoreless outing. The righty allowed two hits and struck out three out of the seven batters faced. Since taking a loss at UPMC Park back on July 2, Grimes has combined to hold the Wolves to one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts over six innings in two relief appearances.
Bowie and Erie continue their three-game series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., when LHP Brian Gonzalez looks for his third straight win against SeaWolves RHP Spenser Watkins. Before the game, fans can check out the 2018 Touch-A-Truck event in the Prince George's Stadium parking lot from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., while the first 750 kids (ages 3-12) that enter the stadium gates received a Louie bobblehead, courtesy of Miss Utility.