The Akron RubberDucks mounted a four-run seventh inning to erase a three-run deficit and defeat the Chesapeake Baysox 5-3 on August 7, 2025, at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio. The loss dropped the Baysox to 43-60 overall, placing them fifth in the Eastern League’s Southwest Division, while the RubberDucks improved to 60-44, solidifying their second-place standing.
The Baysox built an early lead with timely hitting. In the first inning, Austin Overn reached on a single and scored on Adam Retzbach’s single to right field, giving the Baysox a 1-0 advantage. Retzbach added another run in the fourth with a double, later scoring on Anthony Servideo’s single to left, pushing the score to 2-0. Overn crossed the plate again in the fifth on Creed Willems’ groundout to second, extending the lead to 3-0.
Baysox starter Trey Gibson held the RubberDucks in check through six innings, allowing five hits and no runs while striking out nine. Gibson threw 82 pitches, 59 for strikes, and induced seven groundouts. However, the RubberDucks broke through in the seventh against reliever Preston Johnson. Cameron Barstad led off with a single, followed by Jake Fox’s single and Tyresse Turner’s double. Jonah Advincula’s groundout scored Barstad, cutting the lead to 3-1. After Travis Bazzana walked, Cooper Ingle’s bases-loaded walk plated Fox, making it 3-2. Angel Genao’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 3-3 by scoring Turner. Bazzana then stole home on a double steal, aided by a throwing error from Baysox second baseman Aron Estrada, giving the RubberDucks a 4-3 lead.
In the eighth, Guy Lipscomb singled off reliever Cheney, and Barstad’s double to right scored Lipscomb for the final run, 5-3. RubberDucks reliever Thornton earned the win with two scoreless innings, and Jachec secured the save with a perfect ninth.
The Baysox collected six hits, with Retzbach going 2-for-4 including a double and an RBI. Overn contributed a single, scored twice and stole three bases, marking his fourth theft of the season. Servideo added a single and an RBI, while Willems drove in a run. The Baysox left four runners on base and went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
For the RubberDucks, Barstad led with a 4-for-3 performance, including a double and an RBI. Bazzana doubled, walked, scored twice and stole home, his ninth steal of the year. Ingle doubled and drove in a run via walk, while Genao added a sacrifice fly RBI. The RubberDucks stranded seven runners and failed to capitalize on 0-for-10 opportunities with runners in scoring position, relying instead on opportunistic base running and timely walks.
This game marked the fourth in a six-game series between the teams, with the RubberDucks holding a 3-1 edge after this victory. The Baysox had rallied late in the previous contest on August 6 but fell 3-2. The series continues as part of the Eastern League schedule, where the Southwest Division features tight competition. As of August 8, 2025, the Erie SeaWolves lead with a 61-42 record, followed by the RubberDucks at 59-44 before their win, according to league standings. The Baysox trail at 43-59 pre-game, with the Altoona Curve at 51-52 and Harrisburg Senators at 49-54.
The Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have struggled in the 2025 season, sitting fifth in the division. Their overall record reflects challenges in consistent pitching and hitting, with a team batting average hovering around .230 entering the series. Prospects like Overn, a speedy outfielder with four steals this year, and Retzbach, a catcher batting .220 with 40 RBIs, represent bright spots. The team rebranded to Chesapeake Baysox to emphasize regional ties, including to Southern Maryland communities where fans often attend games at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie.
The Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, boast a stronger campaign, driven by top prospects. Bazzana, the Guardians’ No. 1 prospect and 2024 first overall draft pick, has impressed in 2025 with multiple multi-hit games, including a three-hit performance on August 3 featuring a game-tying home run. His steal of home on August 7 mirrored his aggressive style, as captured in highlights. Bazzana’s season includes a four-hit game on April 6 with two RBIs and three doubles on July 23. Other highlights for the RubberDucks include Ingle’s multi-homer game on July 3.
