The Chesapeake Baysox rallied for six runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Binghamton Rumble Ponies by an 8-4 final on Thursday night. The victory marked the Baysox’s second straight win in the six-game series.
Chesapeake (4-4, 33-43) entered the ninth trailing 4-2 after Binghamton scored four runs in the eighth. The Baysox responded with a six-run frame that included a go-ahead grand slam by Aron Estrada and a solo home run by Ethan Anderson.
Estrada, the Orioles’ No. 7 prospect, delivered the decisive blow with his 14th home run of the season. Tavian Josenberger led off the inning with a walk, Willy Vasquez singled, and Fernando Peguero added a bunt single to load the bases. Estrada then hit a grand slam into the right-center field bullpen, giving Chesapeake a 6-4 lead. Anderson followed with a 431-foot solo home run to right-center, his team-leading 17th of the season, extending the advantage to 7-4.
Estrada also doubled on the game’s first pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly. He added singles in the third and fifth innings for a four-hit performance, his first in professional baseball. Estrada has hit .311 since the start of May and ranks among the Eastern League leaders in hits and RBI.
Anderson’s home run marked the second time this season he has homered in consecutive games. His 17 long balls are second-most among Orioles minor leaguers and fifth-most in the Eastern League.
Left-handed starter Joseph Dzierwa was effective for Chesapeake, striking out seven over four and two-thirds innings while allowing two hits and two walks. The outing was Dzierwa’s second scoreless start at Double-A and his fourth time fanning at least seven hitters in eight Baysox appearances. Dzierwa has 103 strikeouts across all levels this season, second-most in Minor League Baseball.
The Baysox took a 2-0 lead into the eighth after adding a run in the seventh on a wild pitch. Right-hander Alex Pham retired all seven batters he faced. Binghamton then scored four runs in the eighth with two outs, including a three-run homer by Vincent Perozo, to take a 4-2 lead.
Right-hander Richard Guasch earned the win in his Baysox debut by allowing the first five runs of the ninth without recording an out. Left-hander Micah Ashman retired the Rumble Ponies in order in the ninth, lowering his Double-A ERA to 1.50.
Chesapeake continues the series in Binghamton on Friday night with right-hander Evan Yates (4-4, 5.37 ERA) scheduled to start against Rumble Ponies right-hander R.J. Gordon (0-5, 7.81 ERA). First pitch from Mirabito Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Baysox will return to Prince George’s Stadium after the MLB All-Star Break on Friday, July 17, to open a nine-game homestand against the Hartford Yard Goats.
The comeback victory highlighted the resilience of the Baysox roster. Estrada’s performance continues to draw attention as one of the top prospects in the Orioles system. His consistent hitting has been a bright spot for the team.
Anderson’s power surge has also been notable, with his home run totals placing him among the leaders in the Eastern League. The combination of timely hitting and strong pitching from Dzierwa and the bullpen allowed Chesapeake to overcome an early deficit and secure the win.
For fans in Southern Maryland, the Baysox provide an accessible opportunity to watch future Orioles talent in action at Prince George’s Stadium. The team’s performance in road games like this one demonstrates depth across the roster.
The series against Binghamton continues with another opportunity for the Baysox to build momentum heading into the All-Star Break. The upcoming homestand will give local supporters additional chances to see the team compete.
