by The Akron RubberDucks lost game two of a six-game homestead against the Bowie Baysox, a Baltimore Orioles affiliate by a score of 4-2 on Wednesday at Canal Park. Akron, coming into yesterday’s matchup with a 15-7 record in the second half of their season, was seeking revenge following a rough loss on Tuesday. Behind great pitching from the Baysox staff, Bowie was able to hold on, increasing their momentum as the heart of the series awaits.
Right-hander Tommy Mace took the mound for Akron, holding an impressive 7-3 record with a 3.75 ERA entering his 18th start of the year. He would be sent right into the ringer, as the first three hitters of the Bowie lineup are among the top 11 in the Baltimore farm system, highlighted by 12th overall minor league prospect Samuel Basallo. However, Mace fought off these hitters, not allowing one run in the first.
Seth Johnson was given the nod for Bowie. The Orioles 9th ranked prospect is 0-6 with a 2.66 ERA. Akron’s card is led by 15th-ranked Guardians prospect Petey Halpin. I had the honor of watching Halpin play for the ‘Ducks last year, and his combination of contact and speed will be his most important assets as he makes his way to the show. With two outs, right fielder Alexfri Planez hit a solo shot over the left field wall. Planez’s 13th long ball gave Akron an early lead.
The Baysox got another run in the scoring position in the second, this time with no outs. Once again, Mace stayed calm, getting the next three batters out, fanning two. In the top of the third, Dylan Beavers hit a no-doubter near the right field foul pole, which was called a foul ball. Beavers thought it was fair which then promoted a mild confrontation with the first base umpire. The umpires kept their initial call, as Beavers walked back to the batter’s box visibly frustrated. The 6th-ranked Orioles prospect unleashed for a second time in the same at-bat to right field, this time in fair territory, and plating Basallo. In the mind of the Baysox right fielder, he had hit two home runs in the same at-bat.
Johnson stayed red hot from the mound, forcing an inning-ending double play in the third, and forcing a 1, 2, 3 innings in the fourth. With two outs in the top of the top of the fifth, Beavers blasted another home run to the same area out over the right field wall. The Baysox led 3-1, with all three runs driven in by Beavers. After hitting the next Bowie hitter, Mace was replaced by Lenny Torres Jr. Mace finished his day with 4.2 innings pitched, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He received the loss.
Righty reliever Houston Roth was called in to take over for Johnson and immediately made his presence known. In his two innings of work, he gave up 1 hit and struck out 3. In the top half of the sixth, Baysox shortstop Anthony Servideo hit Bowie’s third home run of the contest, extending their lead to 3.
In the bottom of the ninth, still trailing by 3 runs, left fielder and 27th-ranked Guardians prospect CJ Kayfus reached base via walk. Halpin and Planez both grounded out. First baseman Aaron Bracho walked as well, bringing up the tying run, and second baseman Milan Tolentino. Tolentino poked one out to left-center field, driving in Kayfus, but got thrown out at second trying to extend his base hit into a double, and ending the game.
One of the more interesting ways to end a game. Some could blame Tolentino for Akron’s loss, but others could revere his aggression in attempting to get into scoring position, being the game-tying run.
The Baysox pitching staff did their jobs, only allowing 1 run on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 9 punch outs. Have a day, Dylan Beavers. Beavers led the Bowie lineup, going 2-for-3 with 2 walks, 2 home runs, and 3 RBIs.
Akron now must play their best ball to claw back into this series. The first pitch for today’s game is at 6:35 EDT at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.
