The Chesapeake Baysox dropped their series opener against the Akron RubberDucks by a 5-3 final on Wednesday night at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron, Ohio.
The Orioles Double-A affiliate fell to 14-20 on the season. The RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
Akron scored three unearned runs in the second inning on a throwing error by Carter Young. Left-hander Luis De León allowed the three runs in three and one-third innings while striking out three.
The Baysox responded in the fourth with three consecutive hits. Aron Estrada and Tavian Josenberger singled, setting the stage for Adam Retzbach’s two-run triple to left-center field off Akron right-hander Dylan DeLucia to make it 3-2. Retzbach later scored on a sacrifice fly from Young to tie the game at 3-3.
Right-hander Ben Vespi delivered two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief for the Baysox, completing the longest outing of his Double-A career.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the eighth. With two outs, three consecutive walks from right-hander Jeisson Cabrera (2-2) loaded the bases. Juan Benjamin then hit an RBI double to give Akron the lead. Benjamin scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to make it 5-3.
Right-hander Jay Driver earned the save for Akron.
Frederick Bencosme extended his on-base streak, and the Baysox bullpen kept the game close until the late innings.
The Baysox will look to even the series on Thursday night when right-hander Juaron Watts-Brown takes the ball for Chesapeake. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from 7 17 Credit Union Park.
The next Baysox homestand begins Tuesday, May 19, when Chesapeake opens a six-game set against the Somerset Patriots, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Prince George’s Stadium, located about an hour’s drive from Southern Maryland, remains a popular destination for fans from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties who enjoy watching future Orioles stars up close.
