BOWIE, Md. — The Chesapeake Baysox dropped their season-opening road series to the Hartford Yard Goats with a 4-2 loss in the rubber match on Saturday afternoon, April 4, 2026, at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Conn. The Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles finished the three-game set at 1-2 despite outhitting the opposition.
The Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, jumped ahead early against Baysox left-handed starter Luis De León. In the bottom of the first inning, De León walked the first two batters. On an attempted double steal, he stepped off the mound and threw the ball out of play, allowing a run to score. An RBI single later in the frame made it 2-0.
Hartford added single runs in the third and fourth innings. De León (0-1) worked four innings, allowing four hits and three walks, with all three walks coming around to score. The Orioles’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline struck out five batters in his first outing of the 2026 season.
Chesapeake’s bullpen delivered a strong performance after the early deficit. Three relievers combined for four perfect innings. Right-hander Ryan Long set the tone with four strikeouts over two innings in his season debut. Right-hander Jeisson Cabrera, making his Baysox debut, struck out two in the seventh, and right-hander Zane Barnhart matched that total in the eighth.
At the plate, outfielder Thomas Sosa paced the Baysox with two doubles, including a two-run double in the fifth inning that brought Chesapeake within 4-2. Sosa enjoyed a strong opening series, going 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits — three doubles, one triple and one home run — and seven RBI.
The Baysox fifth-inning rally ended when catcher Ethan Anderson lined a ball that Hartford left fielder Benny Montgomery robbed with a diving catch. Hartford starter Jack Mahoney (1-0) allowed just the two runs over five innings. The Yard Goats bullpen, capped by right-hander Victor Juarez earning the save, kept Chesapeake off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Infielder Brandon Butterworth recorded his first three-hit game at the Double-A level. The Baysox threatened in the later innings but could not push additional runs across.
The loss concluded the Baysox’s season-opening road trip in Hartford. Chesapeake returns to Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie for its home opener on Tuesday, April 7, against the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Southern Maryland baseball fans have followed the Baysox closely since the team’s rebranding and stadium improvements at Prince George’s Stadium, which now features a Chesapeake Bay-themed Kids Zone and enhanced accessibility. The team plays a full Eastern League schedule that includes multiple series against several opponents this season.
