BOWIE, Md. – The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, fell 4-1 to the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, in their series finale on April 27, 2025, at Prince George’s Stadium. The loss handed Chesapeake (11-10) its first series defeat of the season, dropping four of six games to Altoona (11-10) after an undefeated start through three series.
Orioles right-hander Chayce McDermott, on a Major League rehab assignment, started for the Baysox but struggled, taking the loss (0-1). McDermott walked the bases loaded in the first but escaped with two strikeouts. In the second, Jase Bowen’s solo home run gave Altoona a 1-0 lead. McDermott lasted 1.2 innings, allowing one run, three walks, and three strikeouts on 43 pitches. “The former Baysox right-hander threw only 1.2 innings,” the team noted, highlighting his brief outing.
Altoona’s Hunter Barco, a left-handed starter, matched his season-high eight strikeouts over three scoreless innings, continuing his dominance against Chesapeake with no runs allowed in three starts. The Curve extended their lead in the fifth against Baysox right-hander Alex Pham, scoring three runs on Jack Brannigan’s check-swing RBI single and a sacrifice bunt throwing error by Silas Ardoin that plated two. Pham, the Orioles’ No. 29 prospect, pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts, maintaining a league-leading 35 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.
Chesapeake’s lone run came in the fifth when Anthony Servideo doubled off Altoona’s Derek Diamond, his former Ole Miss teammate, driving in a run to make it 4-1. The Baysox threatened in the eighth with the bases loaded and one out, but Altoona’s Cam Sanders struck out TT Bowens and Tavian Josenberger to secure a five-out save (S, 7). Emmanuel Chapman (2-1) earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings and two strikeouts. “With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth for Chesapeake, Sanders struck out TT Bowens and Tavian Josenberger,” the game recap noted.
The Baysox’s offense struggled, managing one run despite loading the bases, and failed to capitalize on early opportunities against Barco. Altoona’s bullpen, combining for six innings and eight strikeouts, stifled Chesapeake’s bats. The Curve’s timely hitting and defensive plays, contrasted with Ardoin’s costly error, proved decisive in the low-scoring affair.
After splitting the season series with Altoona, Chesapeake now heads on a two-week road trip, starting April 29 against the Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, at Dunkin’ Park. The Baysox, previously unbeaten in series play, aim to rebound from their first setback. Despite the loss, Pham’s strikeout prowess and Servideo’s clutch hit highlight the team’s potential as they navigate a challenging Eastern League schedule.