BOWIE, Md. — The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, were swept in a doubleheader by the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Prince George’s Stadium. The Rumble Ponies won the first game 2-1 and the second 4-1, capitalizing on Chesapeake’s defensive miscues and missed offensive opportunities.
In the first game, the Baysox (23-24) took an early lead when Creed Willems, the Orioles’ No. 12 prospect, hit a 406-foot solo home run in the first inning, his seventh of the season. Willems went 2-for-3 at the plate. Chesapeake had chances to extend their lead in the second, third, and fourth innings but failed to score. Starting pitcher Trace Bright (1-5) delivered 5.1 innings, allowing no earned runs, but two defensive errors in the fifth inning allowed Binghamton (30-17) to score twice and take the lead.
Binghamton’s Jonah Tong (3-3) struck out seven over six innings, allowing one run, while Dylan Ross earned his second save by closing out the seventh. “We had opportunities early, but their pitching kept us in check,” Baysox manager Roberto Mercado said post-game, reflecting on the missed chances.
In the second game, Binghamton jumped ahead in the second inning with two runs, including an RBI single by Omar De Los Santos. Ryan Clifford’s home run in the third extended the Rumble Ponies’ lead to 3-0. Chesapeake’s starter Ryan Long (2-2) pitched five innings, allowing four runs while striking out five. Relievers Daniel Lloyd and Keagan Gillies combined for two scoreless innings, with Gillies striking out two in the seventh.
The Baysox’s only run came in the fifth when Willems drove in a run with a single, accounting for both of Chesapeake’s runs across the doubleheader. Binghamton’s TJ Shook (4-0) earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, and Douglas Orellana secured his fourth save with a perfect seventh.
Willems’ performance stood out despite the losses. “Creed’s bat was huge for us today, but we couldn’t string enough hits together,” Mercado noted. The Baysox struggled to convert opportunities, leaving runners on base in key moments in both games.
The Rumble Ponies’ pitching staff, led by Tong and Shook, limited Chesapeake’s offense, which has been inconsistent this season. Binghamton’s timely hitting and solid defense contrasted with Chesapeake’s errors, which proved costly in the first game. The sweep marked Binghamton’s third and fourth wins in the six-game series, which continues with game four on Friday at 6:35 p.m. at Prince George’s Stadium. Levi Wells (0-2, 3.45 ERA) is slated to start for the Baysox against Zach Thornton (1-0, 2.84 ERA) for the Rumble Ponies.
The Baysox, in their 33rd season as an Orioles affiliate, have faced challenges in the Eastern League but remain focused on developing talent for Baltimore. Willems, a 22-year-old catcher, continues to show promise, ranking among the team’s leaders in home runs. Prince George’s Stadium, opened in 1994, has hosted Double-A baseball for over three decades, drawing fans from the greater Washington, D.C., area. Friday’s game offers Chesapeake a chance to rebound in front of their home crowd.
