BOWIE, Md. — Anderson De Los Santos delivered another standout performance at the plate, powering the Chesapeake Baysox to a 5-2 victory over the Akron RubberDucks on Thursday afternoon, April 23, 2026, at Prince George’s Stadium.
The 22-year-old shortstop collected three hits and scored three of the Baysox runs in the Eastern League contest. De Los Santos, in his first season at the Double-A level, came within a triple of hitting for the cycle for the second time this year. His standout moment arrived in the sixth inning with a solo home run that cleared the left field wall, marking his third homer of the 2026 campaign.
De Los Santos currently leads the Baysox with a .357 batting average through 15 games, ranking third in the Eastern League. His 1.193 OPS sits second among qualified hitters league-wide. Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County fans have followed the Orioles affiliate closely since the team’s rebrand to Chesapeake Baysox, drawing local crowds to the stadium located just north of the region’s waterways and communities.
The Baysox jumped ahead early with a three-run second inning against Akron starter Caden Favors, who fell to 1-2. De Los Santos singled to help load the bases with no outs. Carter Young followed with a two-run single to left field, extending his strong series with seven RBI over nine at-bats this week. Frederick Bencosme added an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.
De Los Santos extended the lead to 4-0 with his solo shot in the sixth. In the eighth, his double advanced him to third on an error before he scored on a sacrifice fly from Griff O’Ferrall, accounting for the final Baysox run.
On the mound, left-hander Luis De León struck out four over three scoreless innings but exited in the fourth as a precaution after taking a comebacker to his non-throwing arm. The Chesapeake bullpen then took control. Right-hander Cohen Achen earned the win, improving to 1-0 with two scoreless innings. Daniel Lloyd added a scoreless sixth, and Tyson Neighbors escaped trouble in the seventh and eighth, stranding runners after inheriting walks. The Baysox pitching staff held Akron to 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13 total runners.
Akron managed a two-run homer in the ninth but could not mount a comeback. The RubberDucks fell short despite putting traffic on the bases throughout.
Chesapeake improved to 9-8 on the season. The team has won seven of nine home games to start 2026 and taken two of the first three against Akron this series. The victory continued a solid homestand for the Orioles affiliate, whose games provide family entertainment and a direct link to major league talent for fans across Southern Maryland counties.
De Los Santos transitioned to the Baysox from the Frederick Keys earlier in the season. His rapid production at Double-A highlights the development pipeline that benefits the Baltimore Orioles organization, which maintains strong regional ties through spring training interest and fan bases in Maryland.
The Baysox continue the homestand against the RubberDucks on Friday night, April 24, 2026. Left-hander Sebastian Gongora, with a 2.70 ERA, starts for Chesapeake against Akron right-hander Dylan DeLucia. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. at Prince George’s Stadium.
This win underscores the Baysox’ balanced approach of timely hitting and resilient pitching. Local supporters in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties often make the drive north for games, enjoying affordable family outings near the Patuxent River corridor. The team’s success early in the season builds excitement for a summer filled with baseball in the heart of the region.
Prince George’s Stadium continues to serve as a community gathering spot, offering promotions and youth activities that resonate with Southern Maryland families. As the Baysox push forward in the Eastern League standings, players like De Los Santos provide highlight moments that keep fans engaged through the long minor league schedule.
