Bowie, Md.- The Chesapeake Baysox dropped the Sunday series finale to the Akron RubberDucks by a 10-5 final on April 26, 2026, at Prince George’s Stadium. The Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles fell to 10-10 on the season while the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians improved.
Right-hander Trace Bright started strong for Chesapeake. He retired 12 of the first 14 batters faced, allowing only a two-out single in the top of the first before striking out the next six consecutively. Bright recorded eight strikeouts over four-plus innings, the second-highest total in his Double-A career. Across two starts against Akron this week, he permitted one hit and struck out 15 batters in eight innings.
The Baysox built a 4-0 lead at the plate. Brandon Butterworth hit a leadoff home run to left field on the first pitch from Akron right-hander Khal Stephen, marking his second leadoff homer of the season. In the third inning, Butterworth singled with two outs. A walk and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Anderson De Los Santos, who hit the first of his two doubles to clear the bases.
Akron rallied in the middle innings. Four walks and two hits by Bright and Carlos Tavera produced three runs in the fifth, cutting the deficit to one. In the sixth, Tyson Neighbors issued a pair of walks. Nick Mitchell followed with a three-run homer to right field, giving Akron a 6-4 lead. The RubberDucks added one more run in the sixth. In the seventh, they loaded the bases and scored three runs on a single and an error to push the advantage to 10-4.
Baysox pitching struck out 14 batters but issued 13 walks and hit two batters. Chesapeake added a final run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Tavian Josenberger.
The Baysox split the six-game series with Akron. They now travel to Erie, Pennsylvania, for a six-game series against the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. First pitch for Tuesday’s opener is 6:05 p.m. at UPMC Park.
Chesapeake returns home for a six-game series against the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, beginning Tuesday, May 5, at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie. The venue draws fans from Southern Maryland counties including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s, providing local access to Orioles prospects.
