BOWIE, MD – The Bowie Baysox could not secure a victory after a strong start, eventually succumbing to a 6-4 defeat in 11 innings against the Somerset Patriots on Sunday night at Prince George’s Stadium. Despite a game-tying home run from Coby Mayo in the eighth, the Baysox couldn’t seal the deal.
Bowie got off to a blazing start, with right-handed starter Alex Pham delivering an outstanding performance through five innings. Pham retired the Somerset side in order in the top of the first, using only seven pitches. In the bottom half, Jud Fabian walked and advanced to third on a double by Coby Mayo. A well-executed RBI groundout from rehabbing major league catcher James McCann brought Fabian home, giving the Baysox an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, Fabian blasted a solo home run to left field, his fourth of the season in just his eleventh Double-A contest, extending Bowie’s advantage to 2-0. However, these hits from Mayo and Fabian were the only two for Bowie in the game against Somerset’s right-handed starter Blane Abeyta, who struck out nine batters and allowed just two walks in his six innings on the mound.
Nevertheless, Pham continued to dominate for the Baysox. The right-hander faced the minimum number of batters, surrendering just one hit through four frames. However, Pham hit a snag in the top of the fifth when he walked Jeisson Rosario with two outs and then allowed a game-tying two-run home run to Aaron Palensky of the Patriots. Pham concluded his second Double-A start after five innings, allowing only two runs on three hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Jean Pinto took over for Pham in relief for the Baysox and delivered two scoreless innings. However, Pinto encountered trouble in the eighth inning. After an error by Bowie’s second baseman Billy Cook allowed Trey Sweeney to reach base, Pinto conceded three hits in the inning, including an RBI single to Everson Pereira, which gave Somerset a 3-2 advantage. The resilient Baysox quickly responded in the bottom half of the eighth, as Mayo hammered his team-leading seventeenth home run down the left field line with two outs, tying the game at three. Mayo’s home run marked his third consecutive game with a homer and the third time in his career that he achieved this feat.
With the score tied, the game headed into extra innings. The ninth and tenth innings remained deadlocked, with neither team managing to bring home their courtesy runner after advancing him to third. However, at the top of the eleventh, things unraveled for Bowie. Tim Susnara replaced James McCann as the catcher, while Tyler Burch entered the game as the pitcher for the Baysox. The fresh battery struggled as they combined for a pair of wild pitches and a passed ball in the eleventh inning. Somerset took advantage, capitalizing on three singles surrendered by Burch (L, 0-2) to score three runs, claiming a 6-3 lead.
In the bottom of the eleventh, Mayo drove in Donta’ Williams with an RBI single, but the effort fell short as Patriots’ right-hander Blas Castano (W, 4-3) allowed only the unearned run in his two innings of relief.
With this loss, the Baysox now holds a 32-42 record for the season. After dropping five of their last six games, Bowie aims to end the six-game series against Somerset on a high note in their upcoming matchup on Monday. The series’ final game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET at Prince George’s Stadium.
The Bowie Baysox will look to bounce back after a disappointing loss against the Somerset Patriots. Despite their early lead and Mayo’s clutch home run, the Baysox couldn’t maintain their momentum and fell short in extra innings. However, the team remains determined to finish the series positively and regain their winning form.
Alex Pham showcased his talent on the mound for the Baysox, delivering an impressive performance through five innings. The right-handed starter efficiently retired the Somerset batters and allowed only two runs on three hits. Although Pham faced a minor setback in the fifth inning, surrendering a game-tying two-run homer, his overall outing demonstrated his potential as a valuable asset to the team.
Bowie’s offense had a bright start, capitalizing on the opportunities presented in the opening frame. Jud Fabian’s walk, followed by Mayo’s double, set the stage for McCann’s RBI groundout, which provided the Baysox with an early lead. Fabian continued to make an impact, launching a solo home run in the third inning, further extending the team’s advantage. However, the Baysox struggled to generate additional hits against Somerset’s pitcher, Blane Abeyta, who showcased his dominance by striking out nine batters and limiting Bowie to only two hits.
Despite the offensive challenges, Coby Mayo’s remarkable performance stood out. Mayo’s game-tying home run in the eighth inning showcased his power at the plate and marked his third consecutive game with a homer. With seventeen home runs to his name, Mayo leads the team in this category, solidifying his status as a key offensive contributor.
Pitcher Jean Pinto entered the game in relief of Pham and provided two scoreless innings for the Baysox. However, Pinto faced difficulties in the eighth inning, conceding hits that allowed Somerset to regain the lead. Despite this setback, Bowie’s resilience shone through as Mayo’s home run in the bottom half of the inning again tied the game.
The game remained deadlocked through the ninth and tenth innings, with both teams struggling to bring home their runners. However, the Baysox faltered in the eleventh inning. Defensive miscues, including wild pitches and a passed ball, coupled with Tyler Burch’s struggles on the mound, allowed the Patriots to seize a three-run lead. Mayo’s late RBI single brought the Baysox within reach, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
Although the loss dropped the Baysox’s record to 32-42 for the season, the team remains focused on turning their fortunes around. With determination and a strong desire to end the series on a high note, Bowie aims to learn from their recent challenges and deliver a strong performance in the final matchup against Somerset.
As the Baysox prepare for their next game, they will analyze their strengths and areas for improvement. Managers and players alike will strategize to overcome obstacles and regain their winning form. Fans can expect an intense and hard-fought battle as the Baysox look to close out the series with a victory.
The upcoming Monday game will allow the Baysox to demonstrate their resilience and competitive spirit. With the support of their home crowd at Prince George’s Stadium, the team aims to put their recent struggles behind them and finish the series positively. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET, and fans can anticipate an exciting clash between the Bowie Baysox and the Somerset Patriots.